How Much Does Assisted and Independent Living Cost For My Loved Ones (Or Even My Future Self)?

As our parents age, thoughts about their welfare, care and health begin to weigh heavily on our minds. The challenge, however, lies in ensuring that they receive the care they deserve.  

However, the rising cost of living in Singapore has made planning for senior care particularly difficult. As a result, many families are looking across the causeway for retirement options. With the strength of the Singapore Dollar, retiring elsewhere can stretch your budget further, allowing for greater comfort and care.  

Fortunately, Malaysia has seen a surge in senior assisted and independent living centres that provide supportive and enriching environments tailored to enhance the wellbeing of its residents.    

And these homes are unlike the nursing homes of yesteryears; some of them are even equipped with resort-like amenities that might just make you want to move there yourself! 

This article will explore the various services available at these homes, the benefits they provide and the average costs of living in there, helping you make more informed decisions for your loved ones or even your future self.

What’s the difference between these homes?  

Unlike traditional nursing homes which cater to seniors who have serious medical conditions and require 24/7 nursing care, assisted living centres focus on those who can function independently but still need some assistance with daily activities. These assisted living centres help residents with simple tasks such as feeding, bathing, and dressing.

Independent living, on the other hand, caters to seniors who are generally healthy and active but want the convenience of community living like having ready meals, housekeeping and laundry services taken care of.

The Sanctuary Suite and Sunway Sanctuary is fitted with a fridge, microwave and an electric stove

Sunway Sanctuary and Komune Care are senior homes that provide both assisted living and independent living options, while Sommerfield Homes and Woodrose Senior Residences provide assisted living options. 

Sunway Sanctuary is located at Sunway City while Komune Care’s residence is in Cheras.  Sommerfield Homes have residences in Bangsar and Cheras, and Woodrose Residences have two homes in Shah Alam and one in Ampang that follow Syariah-compliant requirements such as in their food preparation and daily activities.

Komune Care provides a variety of room types that cater to different needs

All these homes provide 24/7 support from a dedicated nursing team and caregivers, along with comprehensive services like meals, weekly doctor visits, laundry, and housekeeping. “You just have to bring your luggage because everything is provided,” says Elaine Neo, sales manager of Komune Care. 

Keeping bodies fit and active 

One of the primary focus of these homes is to keep its residents active. “We train our elders to be more independent by having a more active social life to mitigate the risk of dementia,” shares Gary Lim, group executive director of Sommerfield Homes and Woodrose Senior Residences.

Residents at Woodrose Senior Residences going for a morning stroll

At Sommerfield Homes and Woodrose Senior Residences, residents are encouraged to engage in daily exercises and activities, including physiotherapy, cycling and games. 

Komune Care residents engage in stimulating activities, daily

Komune Care even has a Clubhouse that follows a Montessori-inspired approach that emphasises physical, cognitive and psychosocial development.  

“The more active and engaged you are, the better your quality of life will be,” shares Leonard Theng Boon Liang, general manager of Sunway Sanctuary.  

At home, many seniors have nothing to do so they sit on the couch and watch tv or sleep, Leonard adds. “But when you start engaging them, they often don’t even need that afternoon nap because they are not tired all the time.” 

Vivian Lim Siew Ling, director of sales and marketing at Sunway Sanctuary, adds that strength training is very important for seniors. “Building muscles ensures you have more mobility in your senior years.” 

To encourage their residents to stay active, Sunway Sanctuary offers a range of services and amenities that include a heated saltwater pool, mini theatre, karaoke room, billiard room, fitness centre, and a health and wellness centre. 

Sunway Sanctuary’s Wellness Centre offers a range of services like personalised wellness programmes and holistic therapy

Safety is also a priority, so selected rooms at Sunway Sanctuary are equipped with sound technology that can detect falls. When triggered, this non-intrusive system will alert the residents’ care hub to check on the resident. If a resident needs medical assistance, they can be wheeled to Sunway Medical Centre, which is conveniently located next door.  

“We can get them in front of a doctor in 10 minutes, providing peace of mind for residents and their families,” says Leonard. 

After all, as we age, our body’s functions may deteriorate, and we may need higher care and medical attention.  

The remedy for cognitive decline 

In addition to their impressive facilities, these homes benefit their residents with their community-style living environment. The shared spaces encourage social interaction, allowing seniors to build friendships and provide mutual support to each other.  

Elaine explains that many elderly individuals experience loneliness, which can lead to depression. And once a health issues develops, their condition can deteriorate very rapidly. 

“Initially, some residents (at Komune) are reluctant to participate (in activities). But once they make friends, they start looking forward to tomorrow,” she says. 

Elaine highlights that residents don’t even have to talk to each other; simply being around others can make a significant difference in their well-being.

Residents of Sommerfield Homes have communal meals together, where they get to interact and socialise with one another

Having a strong support system and close family ties is also vital for keeping seniors grounded and fulfilled. Sunway Sanctuary recognises this, which is why they don’t impose visiting hours.  

Vivian explains, “That’s often the first question seniors ask. I always tell them, ‘There are no visiting hours at your own home.’”  

Leonard emphasises that this approach has been well-received, especially since many family members tend to get off work late on weekdays. “If visiting hours end at 8pm, they might not be able to visit,” he says. 

By not restricting visiting hours and the number of visitors they can have, family members can come to spend time with their loved ones after work to have a coffee or just to connect. This flexibility makes a big difference on the seniors’ state of mind, making them feel less like they are in an institution and more like they are in their own home. 

Planning for your future 

“When we are young, we don’t think about retirement because we have so many other commitments,” says Leonard. “But we really should be thinking about it.”

That’s because retiring isn’t cheap. For instance, at Sunway Sanctuary, the packages start at RM8,800 per month for independent living (which includes an RM800 food and beverage credit) and RM9,600 per month for assisted living. Komune Care packages start from RM7,800 per month, while Sommerfield Homes and Woodrose Senior Residences packages start from RM4,000 per month.  

Unfortunately, the problem with retirement is that many of us don’t start thinking about it until we are nearing that stage. But by then, we would have missed out on years of compounding interest.  

Planning for retirement early allows you to take full advantage of compounding interest, leading to substantial savings over time. For example, if you invest RM100 every month in a retirement fund with a 5% annual return starting at age 20, by the time you turn 60, you would have accumulated RM144,959.73. That means your total investment of RM48,000 has more than tripled! But if you wait until you are 40 to begin investing, your RM24,000 investment would only grow to RM39,679.14, meaning your money hasn’t even doubled.

As Elaine puts it: We will all get old one day. So, start saving as early as possible and in the future, you won’t have to rely on your children for support.  

At the end of the day, retirement is not just about financial security but about the quality of life you wish to lead. Some of you might want to spend your days in one of these retirement communities, while others may choose to laze at home with a good book in hand. Regardless of your choice, the key is to plan ahead.  

So, how do you envision living your golden years?