Ageing In Place, Ageing With Grace

The only Singaporean footballer to have played at the Olympics, Chia Boon Leong and his wife are enjoying their silver years in a new home that was lovingly put together by their son TJ Chia. Lynn Tan pays the family a visit in their elder-friendly home.

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The Chias had been living in their two-storey terrace house for half a century. Despite being in their 90s and 80s respectively, they remain very independent. However, the landed property required a fair amount of maintenance. Climbing stairs had also become increasingly challenging and dangerous in a house with many split levels.

After they decided to downsize, their son TJ took on the task of apartment hunting. “We agreed that we should look for a place near my home so I could check in on them regularly,” says TJ. His parents finally settled on this condominium location that’s just down the road from TJ. “It is spacious, has a great layout and there are no shared walls with neighbours. We get the morning sun and a view of the sea. Its proximity to nearby amenities, hospitals and the future Siglap MRT station is a big plus, too. We also have close relatives living in the next block,” TJ adds.