Asia is ageing at a speed for which there is no ready-made model. By 2050, one in four people in the region will be over 60. The question is not only where they will live or who will care for them. It is what kind of life our systems will allow them to continue living.
I do not see senior living as real estate with care added, or healthcare transferred into a more attractive building. At its best, it is a way of preserving agency, purpose and human connection as needs change. To work, it must make sense to residents and families, fit the culture around it, support caregivers and remain economically durable.
Since 2013, I have been building and operating eldercare platforms across Asia. The reflections below come from that experience: how demographics, culture and policy shape family decisions; how care and longevity models evolve; and how we can add life to years rather than simply years to life.
From the archive
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Senior living
“I don’t call it a nursing home. I call it home.”
Our resident's son: "I don't call it a nursing home, I just call it home !" 【来到这儿以后不是到了一个机构，而是来了自己的家。因为我们的老人都在这儿颐养天年，对他们做了一个很好的照顾。我给它起名叫欧家，我们回到欧葆庭这个家里面。】
Read the English transcript
This place does not feel like a traditional nursing home. It is lively, and the residents are genuinely happy. Non-drug approaches help them feel joy and renewed enthusiasm for life. It is a place where older people can enjoy life and their later years. We were certain that we wanted to bring our parent here. Our parent is very satisfied, and so are we. It does not feel like arriving at an institution; it feels like coming home.
Residents take part in a rich variety of cultural activities. For this event, we wanted to bring the cultural experience indoors so residents would not need to travel. Throughout the afternoon there was music and food, with residents accompanied by their families, volunteers and staff. Happiness was the purpose of the event.
The celebration took place around 14 July, France’s National Day. As a French care centre, we have a tradition of using the occasion to bring residents and their families together.
One part of the event was designed to help residents’ children share words from the heart. Without telling the residents in advance, we contacted their children and asked them to write a letter. We printed the letters, or transcribed messages sent through WeChat. Residents collected stamps at four or five music stations before receiving their letter. For many, it may have been the first time in years that they had heard their children express these feelings. The long letters were filled with blessings.
On behalf of ORPEA Xianlin International Care Centre, I wish our residents happiness and health. May they always be with us, and may we always have the opportunity to be by their side.
English transcript translated and lightly edited from the original Chinese audio for names and readability. The video is the definitive record.
First published on LinkedIn, August 23, 2018. View the original post.
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Senior living
Growing old and grey together: the meaning of Qi Xi, the Chinese Valentine’s Day
七夕 Qi Xi (pronounced “Chee See”) is the Chinese Valentine’s day. We wish all our residents a happy festival, full of love!
As the Chinese proverbe says: 白头偕老 Baitou Xielao, “growing old and grey together” is the real expression of true love.
Orpea China 欧葆庭中国
First published on LinkedIn, August 17, 2018. View the original post.
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Senior living
ORPEA China, that’s how it is!
欧葆庭南京仙林国际颐养中心，原来夏天可以这样!
First published on LinkedIn, July 20, 2018. View the original post.
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Senior living
French National Day becomes a shared summer celebration
French National Day and Summer Celebration at Orpea Nanjing Xianlin International Care Center
ORPEA
First published on LinkedIn, July 17, 2018. View the original post.
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Senior living
Life in a nursing home should never be boring
If you ever wonder what "life goes on with us" means, just watch this! 欧葆庭，时光守护家
First published on LinkedIn, July 4, 2018. View the original post.
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Senior living
Dance therapy turns movement into joy
The ORPEA Xianlin International Care Center has started a new Dance Therapy program. Glad to see happiness and smiles on our residents' faces. Many thanks to our partner the Inspirees Institute! Dancetherapy
First published on LinkedIn, April 13, 2018. View the original post.
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Senior living
Therapeutic dogs bring purpose to dependent older adults
ORPEA Nanjing became officially a training base for therapeutic service dogs. A new powerful tool in ORPEA Nanjing's non-drug therapy offer. We believe that animals will bring happiness and purpose to our residents!
First published on LinkedIn, April 9, 2018. View the original post.
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Senior living
Qingtuan keeps spring, memory and place alive
Around Qingming, the Festival of Pure Brightness, people eat qingtuan: small green glutinous-rice balls associated with spring. In this short film, an ORPEA China chef demonstrates how they are made.
I wish you a peaceful Festival of Pure Brightness! ORPEA Orpea China 欧葆庭中国
Food carries memory, season and place. Keeping familiar practices present is one way a care community can remain culturally grounded.
First published on YouTube, April 6, 2018. Watch the original video. · Also shared on LinkedIn, April 6, 2018. View the original post.
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Senior living
One year of life at Orpea Nanjing
A brief record of the Year of the Rooster at ORPEA Nanjing Xianlin International Care Center.
It's been a beautiful year at Orpea Nanjing Xianlin International Care Center. Looking forward to sharing more happy moments with our residents and their families. Click on the video to look back at our Year of the Rooster. Happy new Year of the Dog!👇🏻
去年我们曾一起欢声笑语，今年期待能给老人们带去更多精彩的瞬间！ 值此新春佳节之际，祝大家狗年大吉！ 下面的视频短片带我们一起回顾那些美好的瞬间 👇🏻
First published on YouTube, February 14, 2018. Watch the original video. · Also shared on LinkedIn, February 14, 2018. View the original post.
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Senior living
Ending the Year of the Rooster with smiles
The Chinese Spring festival is coming! When the year of the Rooster ends on such happy smiles, the Year of the Dog can only be even happier!
First published on LinkedIn, February 6, 2018. View the original post.