OVERSEAS NURSING HOME FACILITY MODELS: A PILOT STUDY ON THREE MODELS AND THEIR BENEFITS, CHALLENGES AND APPLICABILITY IN SINGAPORE CONTEXT

Abstract

Singapore has one of the fastest ageing populations. As the proportion of elderly in the population increases, so does the demand for eldercare services and facilities, of which nursing home is a significant sub-set. Considering a large number of nursing home construction and renovation projects springing up in the next few years, it is important for professionals in the built environment to keep track of overseas facility models and rethink the local nursing home scene, in order to provide facilities that meet the needs and expectations of the next generations of elderly. However, there is a lack of research on potential overseas facility models and their applicability to Singapore. Therefore, this study is conducted to identify models that can be adopted in Singapore nursing homes, and analyze the possible benefits and challenges of actual implementation. To achieve its objectives, the study employs a combination of research methods: Literature Review, Case Study, and a series of Interviews for both nursing home experts and residents. Subsequent qualitative and quantitative data analysis yields meaningful results, based on which general recommendations are given. The study found that safety and security, privacy, amount of communal and accommodation space, social dynamics, and home-like environment are important considerations in evaluating a nursing home facility model in Singapore. Among three potential overseas facility models: (i) integration with the community, (ii) with a preschool daycare center, and (iii) single and double rooms only, all are believed to bring about positive benefits, however the third model is not as well-received as the other two. Recommendations include (i) striking the right balance between efficiency and preserving the intended benefits of adopting the model, (ii) diversifying services even after adopting the model, (iii) involving the next generation of elderly into facility planning process, and (iv) increasing public awareness. However, due to the limitation of having a small sample size, further research is warranted to verify these findings on a larger scale.