KUALA LUMPUR (May 12): Komune Living & Wellness, the largest co-living and wellness hub in Southeast Asia, officially launched on Thursday (May 12).

Komune Living & Wellness general manager Mark Chen noted that the development's objective is to create a safe and engaging community for seniors, where they can age actively with all the facilities and support they need to maintain their physical and mental well-being.

"In many cases, seniors get moved around as their care needs change over time, but that can be unsettling and disruptive for them and their relationships. This is why Komune Living & Wellness has been designed to support retirees at different steps on their ageing journey. We can provide a 'hotel-like' environment and experience for independent and active seniors, as well as the medical care and assistance which may be required by others," he said.

Managed by UOA Group's hospitality arm, Komune Living & Wellness has a total of 791 co-living units in eight layouts, including studios, two-bedroom studios and one-bedroom suites ranged from 173 to 573 sq ft.

It includes senior co-living spaces with independent living studios and assisted living studios. Other than the independent living studios and assisted living studios dedicated to seniors, other rooms will be available to rent for both short- and long-term stays.

There is also a dedicated wellness hub that offers professional senior care services, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and pampering options for both residents and guests.

These include a number of medical practices by UMH Healthcare & Medical Group, including general medicine practice, dental practice, ambulatory day-care screening services, medical aesthetics clinic and anti-ageing clinic. Also, UOA partners with wellness specialist Tong Xin Tang to offer TCM services, such as acupuncture, massage and cupping.

A collaboration between UOA and senior living specialist Care Concierge also sees Komune Living & Wellness offer Komune Care — a facility with 260-resort like assisted living suites for senior day-care services. It is the largest senior day-care facility in the country at 6,600 sq ft, supported by nurses and experienced senior caregivers. This allows seniors to receive essential care as they participate in a life-enriching community, cognitive and physical wellness activities.

Chen explained that many seniors spend a lot of time alone at home, and often without the stimulation and community needed to preserve their physical and mental well-being.

"We understand that there can be some stigma or guilt associated with the idea of putting parents into care, due to old stereotypes of what senior care is. That's why we have deliberately set out to create a new concept of senior care based on a world-class facility, in an environment which enables seniors to have fun, build new friendships and connections, in a location which is very accessible and enjoyable for their families to visit, and even stay," he added.

Komune Living & Wellness has over 20 facilities related to wellness and community activities across 40,000 sq ft of indoor and outdoor space. These include a heated swimming pool, jacuzzi, gaming rooms, KTV rooms, a theatrette, specially equipped gymnasium, community kitchen, outdoor gymnasium and rooftop farm.

It also enjoys direct access to the 99-acre Taman Tasik Permaisuri. There is also a 12,000 sq ft food court with over 400 seats and 12 food stalls, offering food outlets. There are also a mini mart, a pharmacy, a hair and beauty salon and childcare centre.

When asked about the trend of senior living in Malaysia during the press conference, Chen said based on research done, the demand for such service is increasing.

"For Komune Living & Wellness, we have started marketing for assisted living care for six months now and we are happy with the feedback. We are going to have people start checking in for assisted living in the next two weeks. It does take some time for the seniors to accept this concept but we are happy with the feedback."

In conjunction with the opening of the development, UOA has announced the establishment of a RM500,000 Senior Care Fund and the donation of RM300,000 to UTAR Education Foundation — of which both are part of the company's ongoing corporate social responsibility efforts to support the community in need as UOA is committed to making a positive social impact for the greater good of the communities.

The Senior Care Fund will provide financial aid to eligible young working families in urgent need of support to care for their ageing parents due to unexpected financial hardships. The fund will be channelled towards the purpose of providing holistic support for seniors by extending subsidies to eligible families in dire circumstances in the form of aged care services at Komune Living & Wellness.

UOA Development Bhd managing director C S Kong noted that the Senior Care Fund is intended to help young working families care for their elderly parents during unanticipated and unavoidable financial hardships.

"We hope that it will provide relief and help ensure that the seniors have access to care support at Komune Living & Wellness during difficult times based on their families' needs and circumstances," he added.

Meanwhile, the donation to UTAR Education Foundation would contribute to the development of UTAR Hospital in Kampar, Perak. UTAR has embarked on a journey to establish the hospital as it foresees the need to improve the quality healthcare services that will be affordable to meet the needs of the local community and the needy. UTAR Hospital will also pave the way for the training of its medical students in the right environment with qualified staff and modern facilities.

"We are honoured to be given the opportunity to support the development of the not-for-profit community and teaching hospital by UTAR to provide much-needed medical services in the community, and clinical training to medical students," Kong added.

"Komune Living & Wellness is built by UOA with senior well-being and active-ageing in mind. Our objective is to create a safe and engaging community for seniors to age in place with all the facilities and support that they need to live longer, happier and healthier lives. As such, we share a common goal with UTAR to make a positive difference by providing a holistic approach to healthcare and wellness for our communities."

Check out our cover story in the May 9 issue for more information on Komune Living & Wellness:
UOA Group provides means to age well