New residence at Temasek Polytechnic brings eldercare learning closer to students

SINGAPORE - An assisted living facility for the elderly has been launched on the Temasek Polytechnic (TP) campus, in partnership with St Bernadette Lifestyle Village.

The first of its kind, St Bernadette Lifestyle Village@TP integrates senior living with student training, allowing about 300 TP students annually to gain hands-on experience in eldercare.

Students from various diploma programmes work together to support the elderly residents. Four residents between the ages of 61 and 79 have been living in the facility since April.

For example, culinary students prepare meals, hospitality students host and bond with residents, nutrition students design healthy dinners using cook-chill systems, and gerontology students design programmes for interaction with residents.

St Bernadette Lifestyle Village@TP can house 20 elderly residents in four assisted living units. Eligible seniors must be able to perform at least four of six activities of daily living (ADLs) – bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, continence and feeding.

The units are located on the eight and ninth floors in a circular block of flats within the campus that are used to provide short-term accommodation for foreign students. Minor renovations were made to these units, such as installing ramps at the entrances, invisible grilles, grab bars, smoke alarms and sensors.

Speaking at the launch event on May 28, Ms Yeo Wan Ling, MP for Punggol GRC, said this initative marks a milestone in Singapore’s caregiving ecosystem, where two institutions have come together to reimagine ageing with dignity, autonomy, and purpose.

“Today marks not just the opening of a new care facility, but the beginning of a new chapter in how we think about ageing, caregiving, and community,” she said.

Addressing TP students and faculty, she said: “Your involvement here goes far beyond clinical training – this is a living laboratory, theory into action.”

And as the care economy grows rapidly, she added, with nearly 40 per cent of new job openings expected in this field, this programme prepares them for meaningful careers and deepens their understanding of the sector’s importance.

Mr Arthur Foo, deputy director of TP’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences, said that what makes this facility unique is its location and integration within TP’s campus grounds.

The assisted living apartments are not isolated from campus life, he said, adding: “Seniors who choose to call this place home will have their privacy and independence, but they’ll also be surrounded by the energy, curiosity, and enthusiasm of young people pursuing their education.”

Aleeya Humairah, 17, a second-year gerontology student pursuing a diploma in social sciences, said the on-site facility provides students direct access to eldercare, and allows them to work with others from different disciplines.

“It can bridge the gap between what we learn in classroom theories and real-life experiences... and build both our practical and interpersonal skills,” she said.

Her coursemate Clariss Oh, 17, said the campus-based facility offers consistency and allows students to build relationships with the elderly residents. She recalls her experience in her first year at TP, where she went door to door, visiting different elderly residents at their homes.

“It’s not just a one-off thing. We’ll get to build a deeper connection and really understand the residents’ individual needs and challenges,” she said.

Dr Belinda Wee, co-founder of St Bernadette Lifestyle Village – Singapore’s first assisted living facility which was developed in 2015 – said that working with educational institutions helps improve the quality of life for elderly residents.

She said that while many view them as liabilities, the elderly feel a sense of purpose when they are able to contribute to the learning of students.

Said Dr Wee: “Once they actually feel that they have a sense of purpose, they have made a friend, then I think it gives them more meaning in their lives.”

The St Bernadette Village concept of assisted living has been expanded to multiple locations, such as Bukit Timah, Adam Road and Sembawang.

Mr Yeak Choon Eng, 61, had suffered a stroke four months ago and previously stayed in Tan Tock Seng Hospital Integrated Care Hub and St Luke’s Hospital. Now a resident at St Bernadette Village@TP, he prefers living in the on-campus care facility.

“It reminds me of my polytechnic days. Being surrounded by students makes me feel younger and reinvigorated,” he said.

Mr Yeak said the nursing staff are more prompt in offering help and the quality of food provided is better. He also enjoys the green surroundings and daily walks around campus.

“The environment here is more homely... My only feedback is that I can only look at the reservoir. I can’t cut through (to get there). I have to walk one big round,” he added.