‘Kindergarten’ for seniors in Hanoi: A day of care, exercise and companionship

The seniors themselves jokingly call it their ‘kindergarten for old people.’

Morning at the center, evening with family

Before retirement, Tran Thi Nu’s daily life revolved largely around housework and caring for her family.

As she grew older and joint pain made it harder to do chores, her days at home became increasingly confined to preparing meals and looking after routine household tasks.

After just a week at the center, she said she could already feel a noticeable change.

“The staff are very enthusiastic and take good care of us,” the 79-year-old said.

“I feel healthy and comfortable here.

What she enjoys most is not simply the health care, but also having friends her own age.

Every day, the seniors chat, exercise, eat and rest together according to a set schedule.

She compares the experience to the kindergarten routines of childhood.

“When we were young, we went to kindergarten. Now we have our own ‘kindergarten for old people,’” she said.

Nu is not alone.

Seventy-nine-year-old Nguyen Thi Lieu also comes to the center for daytime care.

Because she lives nearby, she walks there herself in the morning, while her family picks her up in the afternoon.

“The staff take care of us very attentively and cheerfully,” she shared.

“There are also friends to talk to and share stories with, so it is very enjoyable.”

For 77-year-old Nguyen Ngoc Binh, the most appealing aspects of the model are health care and social interaction with people of his generation.

“It is very enjoyable here. We receive medical care, acupressure, foot treatments and exercise, and we even sing karaoke,” he said.

“It makes you feel young again.”

In the afternoon, the seniors play chess and horse-racing board games and sing karaoke before heading home.

More than a place to look after seniors

The daytime senior care model in Tay Ho Ward is designed as a comprehensive service, allowing older people to receive health care, participate in activities and communicate during the day while continuing to live with their families.

Tran Thi Thu Thuy, who is in charge of the facility, said that its services are organized into five main areas, including health management and monitoring, care and support for common health problems, nutritional support, physical conditioning and rehabilitation, and social and community activities.

The center opens at 7:30 am, welcomes seniors for daytime activities and returns them to their families at around 4:30-5:00 pm.

During the day, participants can take part in wellness exercises, indoor and outdoor physical activities, physiotherapy, foot soak and massage.

After their midday rest, they can draw, read, enjoy tea, sing karaoke, practice yoga and meditation, or simply chat with one another.

The facility currently has 20 beds and is expected to accommodate up to 20 people.

It is intended for those aged 60 and older who remain able to walk independently and manage basic daily activities, rather than people requiring intensive or specialized care.

Luu Van Bau, director of the Tay Ho Ward Health Center, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) online newspaper that the model is a pilot program being implemented by the city.

In Tay Ho Ward, the program is designed to add daytime senior care to the existing health-care system rather than replace the primary care and preventive medicine functions of local health facilities.

“Conventional nursing homes tend to focus on care, accommodation, meals and sleep, but this model goes further by providing rehabilitation and, particularly, health monitoring,” he said.

The model is also expected to ease the burden on the children of seniors as they have to work during the day, and want their elderly parents to remain in a safe and supportive environment.

The official fee is still being finalized, but the center expects to charge around VND200,000 (US$7.6) per person per day, or VND5 million ($191) a month.

That would be considerably cheaper than residential senior care facilities that provide overnight accommodation.

“If the model proves effective, it could become another option for families,” Bau said.

“Instead of leaving seniors alone at home or hiring a private caregiver, older people could spend their days in a place where they receive health care, exercise and social interaction, while still maintaining their family life.”