Hong Kong’s rapidly ageing population has underscored the urgent need for high-quality eldercare services that safeguard dignity and enhance overall wellbeing. Established in 1997, St. James’ Settlement True Light Home for the Aged has been providing residential care for older adults, thanks to the thoughtful original intention of True Light Villa, founded by the alumnae of The True Light School. Over time, however, the Home faced structural and spatial deterioration that restricted its ability to meet evolving standards of person-centred and compassionate care.
Sharing the same vision of advancing ageing well and creating a sustainable, dignified models of eldercare in which every person is valued and supported to age with dignity, The D. H. Chen Foundation supported the Home’s comprehensive renovation from 2023.
The renovation project began with a shared belief that it is not only about improving care and upgrading facilities, but about creating an environment where older adults can live in comfort, connection, and compassion – and about strengthening long-term service capacity and advancing person-centred eldercare through thoughtful design and innovation. As such, the Foundation works closely with St. James’ Settlement to co-create a holistic transformation on multiple levels, aiming to develop a model residential care home that places quality of life at its heart. Through numerous workshops, site visits, and strategic dialogues on service design and planning, the collaboration has translated into practical approaches that align with the aim of achieving holistic wellbeing — catering to the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of residents, their families, the Home’s staff.
The Foundation has also engaged its strategic programme partner, Generation HK’s Guardians of the Silver Age (GSA) team, to facilitate organisational reflections, workforce development, and values alignment. By creating space for staff to explore service culture, morale, and care practices, the initiative has helped the Home clarify and strengthen its vision of person‑centred, compassionate care.
Guided by a co-created framework – the 8 Principles of Feeling of Home (八大「家的感覺」建構原則) – and informed by the PERMA wellbeing model, the transformation reimagines how both the space and the service can together nurture privacy, safety, autonomy, and meaningful daily living for residents, creating a “Home away from Home”.
The architect reoriented the windows away from the city toward the hillside, flooding the interiors with natural light and opening up tranquil views of the surrounding landscape.
The newly renovated home features a seamless integration of indoor and outdoor spaces on the ninth floor, creating open, inviting areas that foster connection among residents and care staff.
The new design increases the number of single bedrooms to meet residents’ growing desire for privacy. Each room is thoughtfully designed with user‑centric features that promote autonomy while ensuring safety and comfort.
Key features include:
The Foundation hopes that the learnings from the Home’s transformation, its improved services, and organisational culture will continue to inspire the wider eldercare sector, reaffirming the Foundation’s belief that compassion is both the core and the future of a caring community.
Click here for more details of the Home.