Inside the Singapore shophouse where assisted living comes with a social club

Camino House is a unique assisted-living facility nestled within a historic shophouse in Singapore's Joo Chiat neighborhood. The building, originally constructed between the 1840s and 1960s, features residential quarters upstairs and commercial space on the ground floor. This setting allows Camino House to offer both the comfort of home and the support of a communal living environment for its seven residents, aged 70 to 93.

Camino House and the Joo Chiat Social Club share the same building, offering a range of activities for residents and visitors alike. Activities include painting sessions, cooking classes, rattan weaving, and exercise programs, often led by volunteers or children from nearby preschools. These community-oriented programs foster connections between the residents and the broader neighborhood, contrasting with traditional clinical care facilities.

The founders, Mariel Chee and Bennett Lee, were inspired by their shared experiences with eldercare. Lee's parents are doctors who founded another assisted-living provider in Singapore, while Chee's father was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in his mid-60s. The small size of Camino House allows for personalized care, with three healthcare attendants providing round-the-clock support. The facility is located close to a clinic, ensuring that residents receive necessary medical attention when needed.

For many families, Camino House provides a sense of belonging and connection to loved ones, particularly those living abroad. The social environment helps residents feel like they are part of a family, rather than being placed in a clinical setting. This approach to eldercare has gained attention in Singapore, where the population is rapidly aging.

As the country transitions to a "super-aged" society by 2026, with over 21% of its citizens aged 65 or older, innovative care models like Camino House are becoming increasingly important to meet the needs of older adults.