Retirement communities / Nursing Homes, the differences.

[tom]

Singapore's population is ageing. In twenty years time, close to one million citizens will be 60 years and above. Accordine to estimates it's about 900,000 plus / minus. So this hot topic is being discuss in the press and the authorities quite frequently.

In Singapore, we have the studio, one or two room apartments being built for retirees. Safety features such as hand-rails or grap bars are installed in the toilets, other areas where necessary. Alarm facilities linked to security systems.

In HongKong, Japan  and possibly in Europe, systems are link to medical units where nurses and doctors are on call. These are termed " Retirement Communities or Retirement Village where elderly residents are mobile.

Nursing Homes are meant for residents who need medical care. Residents are divided into four different catergories in various stages of medical conditions. Most wear diapers, need assistance in bathing, changing, feeding, etc.    Nurses, social worker, ambulant services, and doctors are on call duty in case of emergencies.

So Retirement Village and Nursing Homes caters for different needs.

Recently, there are press report on Nursing Homes coming up in Johore. To save cost some Singaporeans favours Johore Nursing Homes. Can they provide the same care as Singapore ?  Is it safe to travel to Johore frequently to visit them ? What do you think ? 

[tom]

It seems our authorities are comparing prices of setting up Polyclinics verses cost of building Nursing Homes in Singapore. Nurses manning the homes are their main concern. 

So our health top guns brought up cases where nursing homes are sprucing up in Johore and Singaporeans should have a second choice.

If you were to visit nursing homes, 99 % of nurses are from the Phillipines and Myanmar. Is it expensive to bring them in? What we actually need in Nursing homes are Health-Care assistance, qualified nurses are not necessary. Perhaps one or two staff nurses capable of spoting critical cases that need hospital care may help. Doctors are on call.

Older Singaporeans in the 1950's and 1960's worked hard to bring Singapore as it is today. As a reward, the authorities are hinting that Johore Nursing Homes are cheaper. What a disappointment 

[tom]

Moh to fully fund building 3 new nursing homes to cater for the ageing population.Government does not want the downturn to delay the projects.

As of today, there are 64 nursing homes in Singapore. 31 are run by voluntary welfare organisations ( VWO'S ).

Total beds currently 9,300. By 2020 another 5000 beds will be provided, making a total of 14,300 beds. The 3 homes to be built and operational by 2011 will be in Sembawang, Yishun and Punggol.They will be run by Villa Francis, Brighthill Evergreen Home and the Singapore Christian Home.

The Health Ministry said, " When you admit a patient to a nursing home, the expectation is that they get well and go home ". The fact is when you admit a patient through the main gate, chances after some time, the same patient will make the exit by the back door, meaning kick the bucket.

Facts : Most nurses in our Nursing Homes in Singapore are foreign nurses from either the Phillippines or from Myanmar. One or two top positions were occupied by Singaporeans.  So we must be more appreciative and be thankful to the nurses ( call it foreign talent or foreign workers ). Without them our patients in nursing homes, our aged parents in nursing homes will be in trouble.

To nurse another 5000 patients by 2020, based on the ratio of 1 : 4, another 1,250 foreign nurses will have to be employed. From where ? Myanmar ? probably, that's why Singapore helps in the building of a small hospital there.

[tom]

The picture is clearer now. The nursing homes will be built at Bukit Batok Street 51 and at Jurong West Street 91. Both Homes are expected to be completed by second or third quarter of 2012.

Each are equipped with 250 beds and cost the Govt. between $30 to $40 million for both.

The other nursing home  specialised to deal with Dementia Residents to be built in Punggol North has no further news, except it is to be run by the Singapore Christian Home.