Hallo everyone

  Just two days ago, Minister for Health Mr LIM Hng Kiang gave details of a new low-cost insurance plan called ElderShield.

  ElderShield when launched in the second quarter of next year will cover Singaporeans and permanent residents who are between 40 and 69 years old then. As it will be an opt-out scheme, it can cover as many people as possible.

  The scheme gives older people who have become disabled - after joining it - S$300 a month for a maximum of five years.

  It spells good news for those of us who are over 40 now as well as those who are nearing that age group. As early as 1982, the Government has anticipated the ageing of the nation and over time has been putting into place various schemes to meet the housing, healthcare, transportation, and personal needs of the elderly population. The change in the CPF rates for persons aged over 55 was one of the earlier policy initiatives. ElderShield is one of the new schemes. I believe more schemes are on the way.

   Some 995,000 baby boomers, born between 1947 and 1964 (after World War II), in Singapore now make up about 31 per cent of the resident population here. I am one of them. This disproportionately large group of baby boomers - as it ages - will present a challenge to society for it has been projected that by 2030, Singapore will have become an "aged" society with 25 per cent of its population over 60 years old.

  Therefore, now is as good a time as any to discuss the issue of an ageing Singapore population. You should also be concerned whether you are a baby boomer or an offspring of a baby boomer.

  Why? Simply because all baby boomers must take good care of their health. No number of schemes put into place will be of much use if we baby boomers don't - in the first place - make sure that we stay healthy and independent. We owe it to ourselves to make sure that we do not become bedridden some day in the future and inconvenience others. I am sure you do not want to have someone help you walk, eat, get out of bed, dress, or go to the toilet.

  Though traditionally, the elderly of Singapore have been respected and taken care of by their families, I hope we baby boomers will not have that expectation in mind as we approach old age. 

  For one thing, there will be fewer young chaps around to take care of us when we grow old. In 1980, there were 9 persons of working age (15-59 years) supporting each elderly person (aged 60 and older). It has been projected that by 2030, only 2 persons of working age will support each elderly person.

  Therefore, our young will have a greater responsibility in future years having to take care of more of us. Let's not make things any worse for them.

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