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Source:
www.mcys.gov.sg |
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COMMITTEE ON AGEING ISSUES
PUSHES FOR FOUR OUTCOMES TO ACHIEVE SUCCESSFUL AGEING FOR SINGAPORE |
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To prepare for an ageing population, the
Government should work with the private and people sectors to achieve
four outcomes: |
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- provide a range of elder-friendly housing, |
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- make Singapore a barrier-free society, |
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- provide holistic and affordable eldercare
and healthcare services, and |
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- encourage seniors to lead active
lifestyles. |
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This was the call made by the Committee
on Ageing Issues (CAI), who presented to the Government today 39
recommendations to achieve ¡°Successful Ageing for Singapore¡±. |
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The CAI comprises representatives from
the people, private and government sectors, and was set up in
December 2004 to make policy recommendations to prepare Singapore
for an ageing population. |
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The eight key recommendations by the CAI
are listed below. |
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OUTCOME 1: ELDER-FRIENDLY HOUSING |
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The CAI proposed varying the length of
land leases as shorter land leases facilitates the development of
retirement housing [1] as another housing option for seniors. This
will meet the different preferences of a diverse group of seniors. |
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Singapore is a nation of home owners.
Reverse mortgage schemes should be offered to elderly HDB flat
lessees at commercial terms [2] so that seniors would be able to
monetise their homes to meet other needs in old age, whilst
retaining a roof over their heads. |
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OUTCOME 2: BARRIER-FREE SOCIETY |
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The CAI recommended that all HDB housing
estates should be barrier-free [3], in an effort to make Singapore
an ¡°Accessible City¡±. |
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Such an enabling environment must
provide seniors with unhindered access from homes to public
amenities, communal and recreational facilities. To achieve this,
there should be more ramps, step-free pathways and roads flushed
with pavements in our housing estates. |
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The CAI would also like all new buses in
Singapore to be low-floor, step-free and wheelchair accessible [4]
to complement the efforts to bring about a barrier-free physical
environment and rail system. This measure will also benefit other
user groups like disabled persons in wheelchair and families with
young children in prams. |
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OUTCOME 3: HOLISTIC AFFORDABLE
HEALTHCARE AND ELDERCARE |
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The CAI also proposed that the
Government should top up the Medisave accounts of less well-off
Singaporeans when there are budget surpluses [5] to help the elderly
defray healthcare costs. |
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In order that seniors will have access
to healthcare and eldercare services that are easy to use,
convenient and close by, the CAI proposed that family physicians
play a greater role in the management of healthcare needs of seniors
[6]. |
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This will allow seniors with multiple
conditions to visit one doctor instead of a few different doctors
for all of his/her healthcare needs. |
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OUTCOME 4: ACTIVE LIFESTYLES AND
WELL-BEING |
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The CAI recommended that the Government
set up a $10 million GO! Fund (Golden Opportunities! Fund) to seed
more programmes and activities for seniors and by seniors [7] so
that they can participate actively and continue to contribute to
society. |
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This complements the Committee¡¯s
recommendations to provide elder-friendly exercise equipment in all
sports facilities and within housing estates, and provide more
learning opportunities for seniors at our universities and
polytechnics. |
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These recommendations will encourage
seniors to pursue the lifestyle of their choice, be it sports,
learning, or contributing through volunteering in social
organisations. |
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Finally, the CAI recommended that the
Government continues to build on strong family ties to ensure that
the family continues to be the first line of support [8] by
fostering strong bonds between generations. |
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Intergenerational bonding can be
promoted through the provision of family recreational areas in HDB
housing estates, support to service providers in the development of
intergenerational programmes, and greater public awareness of
intergenerational cohesion through public campaigns. |
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Currently, one in 12 people in Singapore
is above 65 years of age. By 2030, it is expected that one in five
will be above 65 years. |
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The CAI noted that if the people,
private and public sectors work together to make early preparations,
growing old in Singapore can be a pleasant and fulfilling
experience. |
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The full report is attached and may also
be read at
www.mcys.gov.sg/successful_ageing. The various Government
ministries are studying the report and are expected to respond to
the 39 recommendations in the coming weeks. |
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Committee on Ageing Issues c/o CAI
Secretariat, MCYS |
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Source:
www.mcys.gov.sg Media Release 8
Feb 2006 |
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FrontPage Edition: Fri 10 Feb 2006
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