Chinese New Year is usually a time for family gatherings, reunion dinners, and new clothes. But for many seniors living in nursing homes, going home is not always possible. This year, about nine in 10 residents are expected to remain in care during the festive period that began on Tuesday (Feb 17). As a result, nursing homes across Singapore stepped up to bring the celebration to them.
Lion Dances and New Clothes at NTUC Health Nursing Home
At NTUC Health Nursing Home in Jurong West, more than 270 residents enjoyed a lively lion dance performance, one of the main highlights each year. The home also organised “lo hei” sessions, where residents tossed yusheng for good fortune, and served steamboat meals. Pre-school children visited as well, spending time with the seniors and adding to the festive mood.
Keeping traditions alive was important to the team. “The other thing about Chinese New Year is keeping to the tradition of new clothes,” said Ms Lian Shieh Yng, cluster director of the NTUC Health Nursing Home (Jurong West). “We got our partners to sponsor clothes, and we even brought those who can go out to buy clothes, so that all of them have new clothes to wear on the day.”
She explained why this matters so much. “Keeping to this tradition actually strengthens our residents’ dignity, their identity, and we want to bring joy and the connectedness they have with this season as well as with the community,” she said. She also added, “Not every resident can go home, so it is important for us to bring the festivity here … to let them know that they are remembered, they are loved and they are cared for in this place. We also encourage our family members to come to celebrate this season with them.”
Special Festive Menu at Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital
Over at Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital along Serangoon Road, around 690 residents are currently staying at its two nursing homes. About nine in 10 of them are expected to remain during the festive season. Planning for the Chinese New Year menu started months earlier so residents could still enjoy traditional dishes.
The chefs prepared lion’s head meatballs and golden pear peach gum dessert, making sure the food was suitable for elderly residents. Ms Jenny Lee, manager of food services, shared that scallops are blended into the meatballs so residents can still taste seafood, something that is done only during Chinese New Year.
“I feel whatever we are enjoying outside, the residents should have, they should be eating, especially for festive seasons,” said Ms Lee, with 2026 marking her third year doing this.
Residents noticed the difference. One senior said, “The food contains prawns, the flavour is good. There’s soy sauce, there’s also sesame oil. I’ve never eaten this before here.”
