A Singaporean man finds community in an assisted living facility

Victor Lee moved into an assisted living facility in Singapore in 2023 after living alone became unsafe following several falls.

Lee previously lived with three older siblings in a two-story apartment. He stopped working in his 20s due to health issues and relied on his siblings for daily support. After his siblings passed away, Lee lived by himself for over two years. He struggled to manage the stairs and fell multiple times without anyone nearby to help him.

One fall was particularly severe, requiring Lee to call an ambulance and open the door himself. Lee chose to move into Camino House, a facility located in a shophouse in Joo Chiat. He decided against a traditional nursing home because he remains independent enough to manage most daily activities on his own. He pays approximately 5,800 Singapore dollars, or about $4,500, every month for a private room with an en-suite bathroom, meals, laundry, and care.

The move changed Lee's social life significantly. He describes himself as more talkative now than he was as an introverted person. He participates in group activities like painting and rattan weaving, and interacts with other residents and volunteers. Lee says the facility feels like a family and provides a sense of community that he lacked while living alone.