THE suggestion given in the letter, 'Build accessible nursing homes in heartlands' (my paper, Feb 27), was excellent.

I would like to take it one step further.

Instead of building dedicated nursing homes in the heartlands, why not integrate them into residential buildings?

Upgrade apartments or design new ones to include units with separate entrances.

The units, which are similar to granny flats, can be adjoined to the apartments by a bi-directional door.

A nurses' office can be set up in the void decks of such blocks.

There can also be a few rooms in the void deck for those who need medical attention while waiting for the ambulance to arrive.

The staff of the nurses' office will have keys to the units. However, the doors of these rooms should be set to lock automatically when staff leave.

A master key can also be used in case keys get lost.

An emergency call button could be installed in each unit, along with webcams, so that staff and family members can monitor the seniors.

A service lift with an ambulance bay in front of it could be installed.

With this, old folk will find that their families are just next door.

Flat owners whose older relatives die can rent the units to the authorities, who can use them to house other elderly residents.

Mr John Yap Poon Ann

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