Retirement communities / Nursing Homes, the differences.

[tom]

Recently, two hospitals announced that they are trying to keep the old and chronically ill patients out of hospitals for their own good, because in hospitals there are bugs which may make them more sick and finally a longer stay in hospitals.

So what they proposed doing or are doing 

Changi General Hospital is pairing up elderly with chronic problems with GP's in the east. So far 300 patients are involved with 57 GP's.

Tan Tock Seng hospital has a team of 4 doctors, 5 nurses and 2 social workers working round the clock, going to nursing homes to attend to sick patients. They claimed, " if one gets seriously ill in the nursing home, they will rush over to give treatment. 

In Singapore, at the moment there are 64 nursing homes. 200 residents per home, the total goes up to 12,800 residents minimum, some bigger nursing homes had more than 200 patients.  How much can the 4 doctors, 5 nurses and 2 social workers do ?

[tom]

An American elder-care entrepreneur believes retirement communities are a better alternative to nursing homes. He claimed, " most care in nursing homes is not health care, but supportive services, just like what any mother would provide a child ".

This is 100% true. What the nurses are doing everyday in Singapore's nursing homes :

1. Wake them up every morning at 7.00 am and transfer them to wheelchairs.
2. Assembled them in the dinning hall for breakfast. Coffee , 2 pcs of bread with kaya.
3. After breakfast, transfer them into commodes for bathing.
4. Dressed them up and assembled in the hall. Nurses will comb their hair, cut their nails etc.
5. Doctor will attend to the sick, 3 times a week. Nurses do wound dressing.
6. Others go for exercises on rotation.
7. Meal time from 11.00 am to 1.00 pm. Most need feeding.
8. Afternoon nap between 1.00 pm to 2.00 pm. Afternoon bean soup at 3.00 pm.
9. Music or video on TV.  Dinner at 5.00 pm. On bed from 6.00 pm till next morning.
10. Changing of diaphers 5 time a day.

In most nursing homes, movements are restricted, residents feeling unwanted or discarded.

What is provided in the retirement communities in the United States :
Residents either live in their own flat or in rented flats.

1. A typical high rise flat consists of about 100 residents age between 78 to 88 years old, sharing chefs, drivers, nurses and caregivers who provides feeding, bathing, medication for only two hours a day. There is social interaction which keeps them happy.

2. Some who are  relatively healthy, lives on their own and usually require fewer meals and care services, the monthly service payments will be minimum.

3. For those who need assistance regularly are provided with 3 meals and up to 2 hours of nursing care daily will cost slightly more.

4. Those with terminal diseases, advance medical care  are also available in the conveniences of their own home.

Recently, the Singapore authorities wants  to try out Retirement Communities and call for tender on a piece of land in Bukit Timah. No tenders were received because the lease period is for only 30 years.

[tom]

Seniors' villages take root in the United States.

Senior Americans 60 and above like to live on their own.

What are Senior Villages in the US ? They are a growing " grassroot " movement set up by residents themselves.

What do they do and provide ?

1. For a monthly / annual fee, home owners 60 years of age and over gain access to a range of discounted services.

2. One phone call to the " village office " staff will dispatch " staff members to assist members problems. Example like buying / dispatch groceries, changing electrical bulbs, piping leaks, walking a dog, or simple everyday house chores.

3. For leisure, example going for exercise, casual walk, social, cultural and educational programmes.

4. For medical, example going to hospitals for medical appointments, morning bath / grooming of wheel chair bound residents. Tube-feeding, changing of tubes, changing of urine bags, medication, transfers and a host of medical related problems.

How much do " Senior Villages " charge ?

Annual fees range from US530 to US 800 , some charges US 50 to US 900 and others from US100 to US 1200.

Sooner or later, Singapore may  follow what the Americans are doing. But charges may be higher.

[tom]

Finally a nursing home to be built in Punggol takes root.The 9 storey nursing home ( Bright Hill Evergreen Home ) had started construction.

It is at the corner of Punggol Field and Punggol East, next to the Taoist temple. The site had been fenced up and Pungollians travelling by bus, Lrt or drives to work should have notice it quite easily.

Date of completion is set at end March 2013. To be exact, 15 months from now. Looks like the Government and the Ministry of Health are serious about having a nursing home in a young estate like Punggol.