In the olden days.....probably 60's or 70's our parents used to stay in big kampong houses, where the kitchen itself was as big as our 4 room flats.
The older generations called HDB flats as pigeon holes. It's a pity, it's getting smaller and smaller. The elderly especially those age 70 and above may find it miserable to stay inside the flat. Thats why they feel happier gathering on the void decks or coffee-shops for chit chats. If they are sick, of course it's worse.
The working adults in Punggol North may be plus/minus 30 0r 35.....? In 20/25 years time , these group will retire and become elderly. Time flies........and only recently, the authorities begins to wake up and went to Japan and elsewhere to study how to tackle the problem.
is it late ? If it is, they had to speed up multifold to look into ways to cater for them.