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.
