Panel discussion segment during the REDAS-Ageing Asia Dialogue, with Choo Chin Hua (leftmost), Nathaniel Farouz, Norman Ho and Tong Ka-Pin as the panelists. (Photo: REDAS)
With more than 900,000 Singaporeans aged 65 and above by 2030, there is a need to rethink home designs, communities and services, says Tan Siew Yiow, president of the Real Estate Developers’ Association of Singapore (REDAS), in his opening speech at the REDAS-Ageing Asia Dialogue held on Nov 20.
Tan Siew Yiow, president of REDAS, during his opening speech (Photo: REDAS)
Tan adds that there are numerous issues to tackle, “from urban planning, design and development, to manpower, culture and business models.” He emphasises that these challenges should be addressed collaboratively with government agencies, operators and REDAS members.
Held at Orchard Hotel, the REDAS–Ageing Asia Dialogue, themed “Assisted Living Developments: A Reality Check”, brought together industry experts and leading voices in the assisted living sector. Speakers included representatives from HDB, Perennial Holdings and Keppel.
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Janice Chia, founder of Ageing Asia, during her segment at the dialogue (Phoro: REDAS)
Janice Chia, founder of Ageing Asia, a Singapore-based consultancy focused on the Asia Pacific ageing landscape, says there is growing interest in private housing with age-friendly designs and services. Singapore’s impending demographic shift will reshape real estate demand, with implications for developers and investors.
She notes that a rising proportion of 55- to 70-year-olds are right-sizing by selling their HDB flats and purchasing smaller private condo units. Real estate developers that anticipate ageing needs through thoughtful design, amenities and services may benefit from faster take-up rates and more resilient pricing in the years ahead.
Perennial Holdings is ahead of this market trend, with its upcoming assisted living project, Perennial Living, at Parry Avenue. This will be the first private assisted living development in Singapore.
Tong Ka-Pin, chief corporate officer of Perennial Holdings, during her segment at the dialogue (Photo: REDAS)
Perennial, which won the site through a government land tender in 2023 on a 60-year lease, is developing it into an integrated facility featuring a 200-unit assisted living apartment, a 100-bed nursing home and wellness amenities. It is adjacent to a 1.5ha park and is slated for completion in 1Q2026.
Tong Ka-Pin, chief corporate officer of Perennial Holdings, says the company’s approach to Perennial Living follows the same model it has successfully applied to its projects in China, which combines medical care, elder care and hospitality to create a holistic “continuum of care” for its residents.
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Choo Chin Hua, group director for design and development at HDB, speaking at the dialogue (Photo: REDAS)
For public housing, HDB’s Community Care Apartments (CCAs), launched since 2022, aim to meet the needs of Singapore’s ageing population. These typically comprise several blocks within an estate, equipped with senior-friendly fittings and supported by on-site care services.
Choo Chin Hua, group director for design and development at HDB, says upcoming CCAs will include more common spaces to encourage intergenerational bonding. One example is Queensway Canopy, where CCAs sit beside a social and wellness hub featuring an active ageing centre, childcare centre and an ActiveSG gym.
Beyond brick and mortar facilities, Nathaniel Farouz, chief executive officer for senior living at Keppel, highlights that ageing seniors are seeking normalcy and stability. “What people want is to be able to live a life as normal as possible for as long as possible, with as much autonomy and agency,” he observes.
Nathaniel Farouz, chief executive officer for senior living at Keppel during his presentation (Photo: REDAS)
A large factor of normalcy, he says, lies in connection. To that end, Keppel’s senior living concept, Sindora Living, strongly focuses on providing residents with a sense of community, including having well-located facilities that make it easy for residents to receive visitors. It also offers daily activities for residents, along with bespoke care and longevity plans. Sindora Living, which opened its first centre in Nanjing in 2024, currently has 1,300 beds under management across China.
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Connection is also behind the inception of Keppel’s AI-driven integrated care platform TERESA. TERESA aims to digitalise back-end management processes so staff can focus more on face-to-face interactions and the needs of seniors. Enhancing efficiency through technology will enable workers to operate more effectively and improve engagement at senior living centres, says Farouz.
He acknowledges that Singapore’s assisted living sector faces a learning curve, given the lack of established regulations or precedents. Existing stigma surrounding nursing homes and assisted living may also dampen demand. Perennial’s Tong adds that raising awareness of high-quality assisted living environments can help dispel such misconceptions.
With seniors' needs continuing to evolve, operators and developers must “remain flexible to be future-ready”, Farouz says.