Living Alone: Elderly Chinese Singaporeans

Abstract

Asian societies maintain the norm that older people should live with their children. Yet some older people live alone. This is the first study to explore social isolation, strategies of coping, and preferences about living arrangements among Chinese Singaporeans aged 65+ who live alone. Data from 19 semi-structured interviews were analyzed. The elderly people who live alone either have no other alternative, or they choose it despite opportunities to live with others. Regardless of the initial reason, solo-dwellers in Singapore succeed at living alone by developing behavioral and psychological strategies that help overcome social isolation. Their main link to the "outside" world is access to medical and social services. Despite some hardships, many prefer living alone because it has become familiar and personally comfortable.

What does living alone really mean for older persons? A comparative study of Myanmar, Vietnam, and Thailand

“…Furthermore, in societies that promote filial care which includes intergenerational coresidence, older persons who live alone may feel alienated. Their wellbeing may be further jeopardized if comprehensive safety net schemes are unavailable for the elderly who lack family care (Wong and Verbrugge 2009).…”

“…This is particularly true in media accounts (e.g., Arora 2013;Bangkok Post 2010;Charasdamrong 1992;Charoenpo 2007;French 2006). However, these assumptions often lack empirical validation and ignore nuances in solitary living among the elderly (Knodel 2014;Palloni 2002;Wong and Verbrugge 2009). Based on recent national aging surveys, this study examines the situation and correlates of older persons in Myanmar, Vietnam, and Thailand who live in one-person households.…”

The experience of older people living independently in Singapore

“…Compared with northern Europe where nine out of ten older people live independently, only 30% of older Singaporeans live independently or with an unrelated older person and the proportion living in such arrangements is increasing (UN 2013;Wong & Teo 2011). Singapore's public housing authority only accepts applications for a public rental apartment from older people who intend to live with a co-resident (a living spouse, relative or friend) or the applicant must accept an apartment mate allocated by the authority (Wong & Verbrugge 2009).…”

“…Understanding the relationship between health and living arrangements can help inform public social and health policies (Kim 2014). Building on previous studies that have focused on older and middle-aged people who lived alone or community dwellers in general (Thanakwang et al 2012;Wong & Verbrugge 2009), our study explored the experience of community dwellers aged 65 or older living independently or with an unrelated older person in Singapore.…”

Salutogenic Healthy Ageing Programme Embracement (SHAPE) for senior‐only households: A study protocol

“…In Singapore, about 30% of older people live alone or with their spouses or with another older person (Wong & Teo, 2011) and these numbers are expected to increase further (Kok, 2015;Teo, 2004). Although these older Singaporeans developed coping strategies to live independently, they reported feeling socially isolated and depressed, having declining health and diminishing resources (Tan, He, Chan, & Vehvilainen, 2015;Thang & Lim, 2012;Wong & Verbrugge, 2009). Thus, community-based initiatives in promoting healthy ageing in this group of vulnerable older people are necessary.…”