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

We may not notice the signs at first, but when we do, it comes with a troubled heart. It might start with small moments, like when a loved one tells us a story as if it were their first time, but in reality, you have heard it so many times that you can recite it by heart. Or maybe it is in their hunched shoulders, slower gait or wrinkled skin. These signs are gentle reminders that as we age, so do our parents.  

As they grow older, 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.  

While retirement and nursing homes often face negative perceptions as they are seen as places where loved ones are abandoned or left to live off their remaining years, there is a new type of residence for the elderly that is challenging this narrative. These modern residences are designed to provide a supportive and enriching environment that enhances the wellbeing of the seniors living there.   

This article will explore the various services available, the benefits they provide and the average costs of living in these homes, 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 at 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 dedicated caregivers and a nursing team, 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.” 

Vivien 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,” she says. 

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, leading to a greater need for care and medical attention.  

The remedy for cognitive decline 

In addition to their impressive facilities, these homes benefit 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.  

Vivien 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?