Victor Lee, a 69-year-old Singaporean, relocated to an assisted living facility in 2023 after finding that living alone had become a safety risk due to declining mobility. Lee pays 5,800 Singapore dollars (about $4,500 USD) per month for residency at Camino House, a private facility housed in a traditional Singaporean shophouse.
Lee previously resided with his three older siblings in a two-story apartment. After his siblings passed away, Lee lived alone for more than two years. During this period, he experienced several falls, including one instance where he had to call an ambulance and open the door for emergency responders while injured.
While waiting several years for a smaller public-housing Build-to-Order flat to be completed, Lee worked with a social worker to find an intermediate care solution. He chose Camino House, a facility that currently houses seven residents, because he felt traditional nursing homes were not a fit for his level of independence. His monthly fee covers a private room with an en-suite bathroom, meals, laundry, and care services.
The day-to-day change for a resident involves moving from isolated living to a communal environment with caregiver access. The schedule includes communal meals, group activities such as painting and rattan weaving, and social interaction with volunteers and students. This shift replaces the risk of unmonitored medical emergencies—like the falls Lee experienced—with professional assistance.
The move addresses the gap between selling a family home and the multi-year wait times for Singapore’s public-housing flats. As Lee remains on the waitlist for his new apartment, his stay at the assisted living facility serves as an intermediate bridge. Once the public-housing unit is complete, Lee will face a choice between returning to independent living or remaining in the assisted living community.