Purpose: As I searched on the web for more information about the abandonment of the elderly, I came across a website of a non-profit organisation and charity, The Lions Organisation, a nursing home offering health care services to meet the needs of the elderly suffering or recovering from any sickness, disability or injury. The whole group felt inspired because it was very hard to be able to find such kindness from the hearts of people nowadays, who would not only lend a helping hand to the poor abandoned elderly but also make an effort to improve their lives and make Singapore a better place to live in.

The Lions Clubs in Singapore were deeply concerned that many elderly people who had been vital and productive during their working years had fallen on difficult times and had no place to turn to.

In 1980, their first community home for the aged destitute and elderly was started. Situated at a Housing and Development Board void deck at Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10, it was a modest start, providing free lodging for 18 residents.

In 1985, the Lions Clubs turned their attention to caring for the elderly sick which required a high level of motivation and compassion. A nursing home at Toa Payoh Rise using a converted World War II bomb shelter was started. The nursing home catered for 45 residents. In 1997, the nursing home at Toa Payoh Rise was torn down for redevelopment.

In the meantime, the Lions Clubs secured a site at Bedok South Avenue 2 and a new building was completed in 1997 which accommodated 154 residents. Along with the centralised multi-purpose areas, residents could dine, watch television, interact with their families and volunteers, or simply spend quiet moments alone. Beautiful landscaped gardens lend an air of tranquility to the nursing home.

In January 2003, the redevelopment at Toa Payoh Rise was completed and we had our new nursing home which could accommodate 200 residents. Along with the increased space, we now have a 42-bed dementia wing and physiotherapy/occupational therapy centre and a team of highly skilled staff.

Together with the 154-bedded nursing home at Bedok South, the Lions Home has a total of 354 nursing home beds under its wing. For these 2 nursing homes, Lions Home has over 160 administrative & nursing staff.

For more information, please search http://www.lionshome.org.sg/, the Lions Organisation Homw Page.