MCYS MEDIA RELEASE NO: 03/2008

DATE OF ISSUE: 15/01/2008

GOOD PROGRESS MADE IN PREPARING FOR AN AGEING POPULATION

The Ministerial Committee on Ageing (MCA) released its report card on

the work accomplished by the Singapore Government on ageing issues for 2007.
The MCA, whose vision is of “Successful Ageing For Singapore”, released the
status report based on four strategic thrusts:

• Enhance employability and financial security;

• Provide holistic and affordable healthcare and eldercare;

• Enable ageing-in-place; and

• Promote active ageing.

2. Good progress has been made in the four identified strategic thrusts, and
further initiatives will be pursued in 2008. Recommendations of the earlier
Committee on Ageing Issues are also being implemented and will be included in
the agenda of the MCA. The major achievements in 2007 include measures to
enhance the employability and financial security of seniors, improving the
affordability of healthcare, enhancing a barrier-free and accessible environment
for our seniors, and facilitating seniors to be well-connected and active in society.
The full report is at Attachment A.

3. Health is key to well-being at old age. Thus, it is vital that services for
seniors to help them remain healthy and prevent illness are established for their
use. A pilot Wellness Programme, announced in September 2007, aims to offer
older Singaporeans with information and opportunities to lead healthy lifestyles
and remain socially engaged within the community. The Council for Third Age
was also established in May 2007 to promote active ageing in Singapore.

4. Taking the perspective of ageing as both a challenge and opportunity, the

MCA has also encouraged the development of commercially viable products and
services for seniors in Singapore. Promoting a “Silver Industry” as a business
opportunity and to enhance quality living for our seniors has been made through
the Silver Industry Conference and Exhibition on 10-13 January 2008.

5. The MCA, formed in March 2007, coordinates the efforts by the various
ministries to provide a holistic approach towards addressing the challenges and
opportunities of Singapore’s ageing population. It consists of several high-level
ministers and is led by Minister (Prime Minister’s Office) Lim Boon Heng.

...........

Issued by:

Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports

MINISTERIAL COMMITTEE ON AGEING:

REPORT FOR 2007

Background

Singapore has one of the world’s fastest ageing populations.

By 2030, one in five residents will be 65 and above, from one in 12 today.
By 2050, Singapore is projected to be the fourth oldest country in the
world1[1]. Population ageing undeniably brings challenges. But it also
provides us opportunities to transform our socio-economic infrastructure to
help Singaporeans enjoy healthy and happy lives in their golden years.

2. As a country, Singapore is well-positioned to take a coordinated

and proactive approach to deal with this demographic shift. In Mar 07, the
Government established a Ministerial Committee on Ageing chaired by
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Mr Lim Boon Heng. The
composition of the Committee can be found at Annex A. With the vision of
achieving “Successful Ageing for Singapore”, the MCA is committed to
pursuing a whole-of-government response to ageing along the following
strategic thrusts:

• Enhance Employability and Financial Security;

• Provide Holistic and Affordable Healthcare and Eldercare;

• Enable Ageing-in-Place; and

• Promote Active Ageing.

Overview of the Year’s Policies and Initiatives

3. Good progress has been made in the four identified strategic

thrusts and will be pursued in 2008. Recommendations of the earlier
Committee on Ageing Issues are being implemented and will be subsumed
under the agenda of the Ministerial Committee on Ageing. The summary of
these recommendations and their implementation can be found at Annex
B2[2]. The high priority given to population ageing in the government’s

1[1] UN Population Division’s “World Population Prospects: The 2006 Revision”. The median age of
Singapore's population is projected to be 54 years by 2050, behind Macau (56), Japan (55) and Korea (55).
agenda was also reflected in speeches and measures announced throughout
the year, including PM Lee Hsien Loong’s National Day Rally speech on 20
Aug 07.

4. The Government’s efforts to prepare Singapore for an ageing

population must involve the community. Individual Singaporeans and their
families should be empowered to take responsibility for their social, health
and financial needs. A pilot Wellness Programme, announced in Sep 07,
seeks to provide older Singaporeans with information and opportunities to
lead healthy lifestyles and remain socially engaged within the community.
The pilot programme will be implemented progressively at six sites in
Singapore over 2008.

5. There is potential for the private sector to expand its role in an

ageing population to meet different needs of different population segments.
In the nursing home market, MOH will look to facilitate the entry of
providers which can add value to this sector and introduce measures to
encourage market competition. In a rapidly ageing Asia, a “silver
industry” in Singapore can also contribute to our economy. The Silver
Industry Conference and Exhibition (SICEX) on 10-13 Jan 08 profiles
the new lifestyle and business opportunities in providing products and
services for baby boomers3[3].

2[2] The Committee of Ageing Issues issued its report and recommendations in February 2006. Co-
chairing the committee were Senior Minister of State for Information, Communications and the Arts, Dr
Balaji Sadasivan, and Parliamentary Secretary for Community Development, Youth and Sports, Dr
Mohamad Maliki Osman.

3[3] The Silver Industry Conference and Exhibition is organized by the Silver Industry Committee, which
was established in November 2006 to explore and develop the silver industry in Singapore. Reporting to
the Ministerial Committee on Ageing, the committee is chaired by Mr Philip Yeo, Chairman of SPRING
Singapore, and has members from the private and public sector.
Progress under the Strategic Thrusts

Enhance Employability and Financial Security

6. Having sufficient retirement savings at old age is fundamental

to successful ageing in Singapore. Measures were announced along the
following thrusts – helping Singaporeans work longer; improving returns on
CPF savings; and making savings last for the lifetime of CPF members.

Helping Singaporeans Work Longer

7. The employment rate of older residents aged 55 to 64 rose by

2.5% points over the year to 56.2% in Jun 074[4], as a result of a buoyant
economy and initiatives implemented. In May 07, the Tripartite Committee
on Employability of Older Workers released its final report with an
extensive package of recommendations, including the introduction of
legislative changes within five years to facilitate opportunities for older
workers to continue working beyond the age of 625[5]. More will be
done to positively shape the mindsets of employers and employees towards
employing older workers and to facilitate the re-design of jobs to make them
more suited for older workers.

4[4] The Government’s long-term target is an employment rate of 65% for this cohort of residents.

5 [5] Other recommendations include enhancing WDA's ADVANTAGE! Scheme; expanding the
employment opportunities of older women and enhancing their employability; a higher Workfare Income
Supplement payout to low income workers above the age of 55; expanding the promotion of fair
employment practices through a Tripartite Centre for Fair Employment and instituting an award to
recognise companies for implementing fair employment practices. See

http://www.mom.gov.sg/publish/momportal/en/communities/workplace_standards/good_employment_prac
tices/publications/Final_Report_of_the_Tripartite_Committee_on_Employability_of_Older_Workers.html
for the report.
8. One significant policy announced at Budget 2007 was the
Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) Scheme for older low-wage
workers. Although CPF contribution rates for older, low-wage workers
have been reduced to enhance their employability and give them more take-
home pay, the Government will give them WIS from 1 Jan 08, which will
more than make up for the reduction in their CPF and help build up their
retirement savings.

Improving Returns on CPF Savings

9. From 1 Jan 08, all CPF members will earn an extra 1%

interest on the first $60,000 in their CPF accounts including up to $20,000
from the Ordinary Account (OA). The interest rate for the Special, Medisave
and Retirement Accounts (SMRA) will also be pegged to the yield of the 10-
year Singapore Government Securities (SGS) plus 1% so as to better reflect
the long term nature of these funds.

Making Savings Last for CPF members’ Life Expectancy

10. Because Singaporeans are living longer, their retirement

savings also need to last longer. The Minimum Sum Draw-Down Age will
be progressively raised from the current 62 to 65 by 2018. A Deferment
Bonus (D Bonus) will be given to CPF members who are most immediately
affected by the changes in draw-down age. Older CPF members who
volunteer to defer the draw-down of their CPF savings to the age of 65 will
also receive a Voluntary Deferment Bonus (V Bonus).

11. The Government is considering a longevity insurance scheme

which will give CPF members a basic income for as long as they live. A
committee chaired by Professor Lim Pin is studying the design of a scheme
that will provide basic, affordable and flexible plans to ensure long-life
income for CPF members.
12. PM Lee also announced HDB’s Lease Buyback Scheme
during his National Day Rally speech on 20 Aug 07. This is a subsidised
scheme targeted at elderly households living in 2-room and 3-room HDB
flats and offers another option for the elderly to monetise their flats. Under
the scheme, HDB will buy back the tail end of the lease, leaving the flat
owner with a flat that has a 30-year lease remaining. The cash that is
released, including the subsidy provided by Government, will be given
progressively to the flat owner to supplement his retirement income.

Provide Holistic, Affordable Healthcare and Eldercare

13. An ageing population with higher life expectancy is associated

with higher prevalence of chronic and other medical conditions6[6]. A
holistic approach towards caring for the elderly must cover their
physical, emotional and mental needs. More focus should also be given to
prevent and better manage diseases, before more expensive institution-based
treatment becomes necessary. Older Singaporeans, supported by caregivers
and the community, should also be empowered to take care of their own
health and wellbeing7[7].

6[6] In 2004, prevalence of diabetes mellitus was 16.7% for those in the 50-59 age group, and 28.7% for
those in the 60-67 age group; for hypertension, the prevalence was 36.2% in the 50-59 age group, and
56.1% in the 60-69 age group. Source: National Health Survey, 2004.

7[7] Examples include a Caregiver Training Grant in 2007 to subsidise the training for families to care for
their seniors with disabilities, as well as development of an Elderly Health Promotion Blueprint by the
Health Promotion Board to provide evidence-based strategies for health promotion, disease and related
risks, and disability prevention for adults aged 65 and above. The Blueprint will be implemented in
FY2008.
14. Family physicians, with their close proximity to the community,
can help ensure that patients receive the most appropriate level of healthcare
services within the community. MOH’s Chronic Disease Management
Programme (CDMP) empowers family physicians to adopt a holistic
approach in managing the healthcare needs of their patients8[8]. Other
chronic diseases are being studied to see if they would fit into this
programme.

Affordability and Integration of Eldercare

15. The ElderShield Scheme was recently enhanced in Sep 2007

to help raise the affordability of step-down care services. The new basic
ElderShield, which pays $400 per month in cash for up to 6 years, in the
event of severe disability, is a significant 60 per cent improvement from the
previous scheme, which pays out $300 per month for 5 years.

16. MCYS and MOH are also conducting a review of eldercare

services. This is aimed at integrating and enhancing the effectiveness of
existing services to better serve the needs of the elderly. Key services and
programmes being reviewed include the possible streamlining of daycare
centres and day rehabilitation centres, befrienders and home help services to
better enable ageing-in-place. We would also examine the roles played by
Seniors Activity Centres and Neighbourhood Links.

Support for End-of-life Care and Concerns

17. There is a need to improve end-of-life care, especially for

patients and their caregivers during the last phase of the patients’ lives.
MOH is currently studying aspects of end-of-life care such as patient
preferences on the place of death, as well as making it easier for
Singaporeans to sign an Advanced Medical Directive (AMD). In addition,

8[8] As of November 2007, 85,000 patients have used their Medisave under the CDMP with a total draw-
down on Medisave of about $15 million for 2007.
MOH will increase its support for hospice and palliative care services for
those patients with terminal illnesses, by strengthening the healthcare
workforce, enhancing career prospects and planning for the long term
manpower needs of the sector.

18. MCYS has completed public consultation on the Mental

Capacity Bill which would enable individuals to appoint proxy decision
makers in advance should they lose their mental capacity due to illnesses
such as dementia. MCYS will introduce the Bill in Parliament in 2008.

Enable Ageing-in-Place

19. Ageing in one’s home and within the community is beneficial

to older people’s wellbeing. To enable ageing-in-place, it is vital that the
living environment and public transport system is accessible and barrier-free
to older people. To this end, the Government developed a Barrier-Free
Accessibility (BFA) Masterplan in 2006. Among the milestones achieved
under the Masterplan in 2007 is the revision and renaming of the BFA Code
to “Code on Accessibility in the Built Environment”9[9]. While the Code
will come into effect on 1 Apr 08, some of these new requirements have
already been imposed administratively.

20. Going beyond the requirements of the Code, BCA is

promoting Universal Design (UD) principles to the industry through
courses, seminars and training. As part of this effort, BCA has launched a
comprehensive UD guide to provide the industry with a set of recommended
design guidelines applicable to residential units and communal facilities like
parks, stadiums and cinemas.

9[9] The revised Code will cover beyond buildings to other facilities such as parks, open spaces, transport
stations and bus shelters. Interconnectivity will be improved between buildings, and from buildings to
nearby facilities such as transport nodes and parks. The revised Code also requires at least one bathroom in
each new residential unit to have enough space for retrofitting with elder-friendly features when the need
arises.
21. With regard to public housing, HDB is working closely with the
Town Councils (TCs) to ensure that BFA in all HDB estates will be
achieved by 201110[10]. HDB’s ongoing Lift Upgrading Programme is
progressing well, and we are on target to have full lift access for all eligible
HDB blocks by 2014. HDB has also introduced UD features in all new
public housing projects tendered from July 2006. MCYS is also introducing
ways to support active ageing and ageing-in-place in the community,
including the pilot Wellness Programme.

22. As for public transport, most MRT stations have been

retrofitted since 2006 and are barrier-free today. The first wheelchair
accessible buses were introduced in 2006. By 2010, 40 per cent of the
public bus fleet will be wheelchair-accessible.

Promote Active Ageing

23. The benefits of older Singaporeans leading healthy and happy

lives accrue at the level of the individual, community and nation. Research
has shown that leading active and purposeful lives, i.e. active ageing, can
improve an individual’s wellbeing and even reduce the risk of the onset of
chronic diseases. In turn, it enables older Singaporeans to continue to
contribute to society.

24. In May 07, the Council for Third Age (C3A) was established
to champion active ageing. The C3A will administer on behalf of MCYS
the $20 million Golden Opportunities (GO!) Fund to promote
community-based projects related to active ageing. To give sharper focus to

10[10] These features include minimising level differences within the flat (e.g. at entrance, bathroom and
service yard), ensuring doorways and internal corridors are wide enough for wheelchair access, and
providing at least one wheelchair accessible bathroom. There will also be provisions for residents to add
on other elder-friendly features when the need arises, e.g. grab bars in the bathrooms.
the message of active ageing, the Council re-branded the Senior Citizens’
Week to Active Ageing Festival, which was held in Nov 07.

25. Dialogue sessions with the social service sector, community

groups and individuals in Jul 0711[11] showed that apart from bread and
butter issues, participants also expressed the need to strengthen
intergenerational bonds and promote lifelong learning. The Government
will explore ways to do this, in collaboration with the private and people
sectors under the “Many Helping Hands” approach.

Date : 15 Jan 08

11[11] Co-organised by the Council for Third Age and REACH.

 ANNEX A

LIST OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Chairman

Mr Lim Boon Heng

Minister for Prime Minister’s Office

Members

Dr Vivian Balakrishnan

Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports

Mr Khaw Boon Wan

Minister for Health

Mr Lim Swee Say

Secretary-General of NTUC and Minister for Prime Minister’s Office

Mr Heng Chee How

Minister of State for Health and Deputy Secretary-General of NTUC

Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon

Minister of State for Community Development, Youth and Sports

Ms Grace Fu

Minister of State for National Development

Mr S Iswaran

Minister of State for Trade and Industry

Mr Gan Kim Yong

Minister of State for Education

Dr Mohamad Maliki Osman

Parliamentary Secretary for National Development

Secretary

Ms Charlotte Beck

Director, Elderly, Disability and Gambling Safeguards Division,

Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports

Mr Yee Ping-Yi

Director, Healthcare Finance Division

Ministry of Health
 ANNEX B

Progress Update on Recommendations of the Committee on Ageing

Issues

The Committee on Ageing Issues made a total of 39 recommendations,

pushing for greater efforts by the Government, the private and people sectors
to achieve four outcomes:

(i) provide a range of senior-friendly housing;

(ii) make Singapore a barrier-free society;

(iii) provide holistic and affordable eldercare and healthcare

services; and

(iv) encourage seniors to lead active lifestyles.

All the 39 recommendations have been or are being implemented. Their

respective progress updates can be found as follows:

CAI Recommendation Progress Update

#1. The Government should
consider specific measures to
facilitate the development of
retirement housing by the
private sector, in particular,
varying the length of land
leases to lower land costs, to
cater to seniors.
In Nov 06, URA released a residential site
at Jalan Jurong Kechil under the
Government Land Sale (GLS) Reserve List.
The site has been offered for sale on a 30-
year lease and developers will have the
option to develop either retirement or
normal housing on the site.
#2. HDB should work with
market players to offer reverse
mortgage schemes for senior
HDB flat lessees at
commercial terms, to provide
another option for seniors to
derive some income from their
homes to meet expenditure in
old age, without having to
move out of their homes.
#3. HDB should provide for
more rental housing options
for seniors, by exploring the
lease of vacant flats to
voluntary welfare
organisations (VWOs), to
cater to seniors who may
prefer to rent rather than buy,
or who need to downgrade
from their existing flats.
#4. The Government should
consider introducing
guidelines for the provision of
accessibility and safety
features in the homes for
seniors, through a review of
the Code on Barrier-Free
Accessibility, to create a more
senior-friendly environment.
Since Mar 06, NTUC Income has offered a
reverse mortgage scheme for elderly HDB
flat owners aged 62 and above.
HDB will also implement a new Lease
Buyback Scheme as another option for the
elderly to monetise their flats. This
Scheme is subsidised and targeted at the
lower-income elderly to help them meet
retirement needs.
HDB is building more studio apartments
and smaller flats to cater to the housing
needs of the elderly. HDB and MCYS will
continue to review how best to meet the
social and emotional needs of the low-
income elderly in rental flats, and the role
that VWOs can play.
With effect from 1 Apr 07, new residential
buildings (excluding landed properties) are
required by BCA to meet the following
conditions:
(i) Each dwelling unit to have at least one
toilet that is large enough to be fitted with
elderly and disabled friendly features; (ii)
Maximum allowable difference in level
between the entrance to a residential unit
and the common area, so that a short ramp
can be fitted for the wheelchair-bound
where needed; (iii) Specified height of
switches and sockets from the finished
floor level to enable wheelchair-bound
persons to use them easily.

#5. MCYS and HDB should
work with VWOs and
grassroots organisations
(GROs) to provide support
services and opportunities for
seniors to lead an active
lifestyle.
#6. Town Councils should
make all HDB precincts
barrier-free as part of their
estate improvement works, in
a coordinated effort to make
Singapore an “Accessible
City” for all.
These new requirements will be legislated
when the revised BFA Code comes into
force on 1 Apr 08.
HDB has also introduced Universal Design
(UD) features in new public housing
projects tendered from Jul 06. These
features cover minimising level differences
within the flat (at entrance, bathroom and
service yard), ensuring doorways and
internal corridors are wide enough for
wheelchair access, and the provision of at
least one wheelchair-accessible bathroom.
There will also be provisions for residents
to add other features when the need arises,
e.g. space for future installation of grab
bars in the bathrooms.
The pilot Wellness Programme, announced
in Sep 07, aims to coordinate and enhance
existing support services and activities
provided by partners within the local
community. Besides eldercare services, the
programme will emphasise on empowering
older residents to lead active and healthy
lifestyles.
MCYS and MOH are also reviewing
services provided in the community, such
as Senior Activity Centres and
Neighbourhood Links.
Work to ensure Barrier-Free Accessibility
(BFA) is ongoing and on track to achieve
Barrier-Free Accessibility in all HDB
precincts by 2011. As at end Nov 07, 122
precincts were BFA.
#7. LTA should work with the
Public Transport Operators to
make all new public buses
low-floor, step-free and wheel-
chair accessible. The
Government should also help
to defray the additional costs
involved.
#8. LTA should expand and
accelerate the upgrading and
improvement of existing
barrier-free measures on road
facilities to enhance
accessibility between
destinations, hence making it
easier for seniors and persons
with disabilities to move about
on public streets and use the
public transport system.
All new public buses will be low-floor,
step-free and wheelchair-accessible. The
older buses will be replaced with such
wheel-chair accessible buses (WABs) when
the former reach their statutory life-span
and are replaced. The Government has
committed $21 million to help defray the
additional cost involved for 3,550 buses.
There are currently 12 bus service routes
where WABs are deployed. About 40% of
the bus fleet will be wheelchair-accessible
by 2010.
LTA has committed $60 million to upgrade
our road facilities to be barrier-free over the
next 3 years. For road facilities connecting
transport nodes to residential estates, the
improvement measures will be
implemented in tandem with upgrading
programmes set out by the Town Councils.
#9. BCA should promote
Universal Design (UD)
through courses and
guidelines, to encourage
architects and designers to
develop a built environment
that caters to all.
#10. BCA should introduce
guidelines to improve inter-
connectivity between
buildings, through a review of
the Code on Barrier-Free
Accessibility, so that everyone
can travel between buildings,
and between buildings and
walkways with minimal
obstruction.
#11. BCA should introduce
new legislative measures to
ensure continued compliance
to the Code on Barrier-Free
Accessibility and other
BCA published the 1st UD guide in Sep 06
to suggest how UD features can be
included in these commercial buildings.
The 2nd guide was launched on 12 Oct 07
encompassing all building types.
Complementing the guide, BCA conducts
courses and seminars to equip the industry
with UD knowledge.
BCA has also instituted the UD Award to
give recognition to building owners who
incorporated UD designs in their buildings.
The first award was given out in May 07.
HDB held a Public Housing Seminar on 29
Sep 06, to share the importance of UD with
building consultants, contractors, and estate
managers. The HDB Universal Design
Guide Book for Public Housing was
launched at the seminar. HDB has also
extended the application of UD to a pilot
Neighbourhood Park project in Toa Payoh,
which is targeted to complete by 1Q 09.
For new buildings, BCA requires Qualified
Persons to submit “accessible route plans”
to illustrate how the building can be
accessed from neighbouring buildings and
public facilities by persons with mobility
difficulties.
This requirement will be legislated when
the revised BFA Code comes into force on
1 Apr 08.
BCA has amended the Building Control
Act to ensure that the accessibility features
remain usable after construction is
completed. It is expected to come into force
in early 08.
building requirements so that
building and facilities remain
usable to seniors and persons
with disabilities.
#12. The Government should
set up an inter-agency barrier-
free accessibility coordination
committee, to coordinate
efforts for barrier-free
accessibility, especially in the
resolution of inter-connectivity
issues where responsibilities
for implementing accessibility
provisions are not clearly
established or defined.
#13. The Government should
top-up Medisave accounts of
less well-off Singaporeans
when there are budgetary
surpluses to ensure that seniors
have the means to afford
healthcare services.
#14. The Government should
adopt a holistic, family
physician-centred approach
towards the management of
healthcare needs for seniors,
given their close proximity to
seniors in the community and
ability to ensure that they
receive the most appropriate
level of healthcare services
within the community.
#15. The Government should
explore new models of
primary care delivery, such as
An Inter-Agency Coordination Committee,
chaired by BCA and HDB, aims to resolve
inter-connectivity issues in the built
environment. A list of accessible buildings
is also published on the BCA’s website
(www.bca.gov.sg/BFA/BarrierFree_Search.
aspx).
In 2007, the Government provided total
Medisave top-ups of $67 to $333 to
Singaporeans aged above 50. The top-up
will be distributed over 4 years.
Family physicians are the focus of the
Chronic Disease Management Programme.
From Jan 07, elderly patients have been
able to use Medisave to pay for treatment
related to key chronic diseases in any of the
700 clinics registered under this
programme. The programme empowers
family physicians to adopt a holistic
approach to manage the healthcare needs of
their patients.
The Jurong Medical Centre, which started
operations in Oct 06, is the one-stop
primary care centre piloted by MOH.
the development of one-stop
primary healthcare centres, to
support a network of private
sector family physicians, so
that they can shift the focus of
chronic disease management
from episodic-care to patient-
centred, outcome-driven
continuing care.

#16. The Government should Training in palliative care is included in all

promote family physicians to training programmes for family physicians
provide first-line medical care to empower them to take on a bigger role in
for seniors in need of end-of- the provision of end-of-life care in the
life care, whether within their community.
own homes or in nursing
homes, so that they can
receive care in familiar
surroundings with their loved
ones by their side.

#17. The Government should
partner the private and people
sector to study and develop the
range of community-based
nursing services and personal
care services, to enhance the
range of services available in
the community to allow
‘ageing-in-place’.
Through the pilot Wellness Programme, the
Government will encourage the operator
(which could be private or people sector) to
identify and cater to the needs of the local
community. For example, NTUC
Eldercare has started a pilot Care@Home
service for Jurong GRC.
MCYS will also be reviewing the Home
Help Service and Befrienders programmes
to ensure that they continue to meet the
needs of the elderly to ‘age-in-place’.

#18. The Government should
set up a Caregiver Centre to
support families in care-giving
through provision of
information resources and
A Caregivers Centre was set up in Apr 06.
The Care Coordinators programme, in
operation since Dec 05, also helps to
provide caregiver support through public
education, support groups and caregiver
programmes.
#19. MOH and MCYS should
enhance the role of
Community Case Management
Service through closer
integration with the hospital
system and the community, to
ensure that caregivers are
linked to proper follow-up
care in the community.
#20. The Government should
encourage all hospitals to
collaborate with partner
agencies such as Integrated
Care Services to put in place
effective discharge planning
systems, so as to facilitate the
smooth transition and follow-
up of clients from hospitals to
community-based support
services.
#21. MOH and MCYS should
jointly review the
appropriateness of the
Resident Assessment Form
classification system in
defining the clientele for
nursing and sheltered homes,
to ensure that continuity and
training.
MCYS is reviewing the framework to
enhance caregiver support.
MOH and Integrated Care Services (ICS)
are working on a proposal to expand ICS to
an Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) to
facilitate the care coordination and
discharge management of patients. The
AIC would facilitate the optimisation of
medical care and a smooth transition from
the hospital to the home and long-term care
setting.
On the ground, the AIC will be
complemented by the pilot Wellness
Programme, which will also have the
information and referral component and
aims to help seniors find the relevant
services within the local community
through dedicated Wellness Coordinators.
MOH and MCYS are jointly exploring the
feasibility of integrating sheltered homes
and nursing homes, and how they should
evolve so as to best meet the long-term care
needs of seniors.
the right level of care are
provided. The Government
should also study the longer
term approach towards better
integration of nursing homes
and sheltered homes, in line
with promoting a continuum
of care.

#22. The Government should
set up a new intermediate
residential care facility, to
address the current service gap
in intermediate residential care
for seniors.
In Jul 06, MCYS set up a new residential
facility located at Hong San Terrace, which
provides intermediate residential care
services. The intermediate care facility
currently has an occupancy rate of 63%.

#23. MOH and MCYS should
work together to allow
integrated models of day care
and day rehabilitation centres
to evolve based on market-
driven needs, to provide more
client-centric and efficient
services.
MCYS and MOH are reviewing the current
service models with the aim of enhancing
day care and day rehabilitation services so
that each type of centre can more optimally
meet the needs of seniors.

#24. The Government should NCSS has gathered feedback from VWOs
streamline and reduce data and implemented the alignment of data
requirements across service requirements with MOH and MCYS for co-
providers, so as to reduce the funded programmes since Dec 05.
administrative work of
agencies, freeing them to focus
their energies on providing
excellent services.

#25. MOH should review its
policies to encourage private
sector participation and
innovation in intermediate and
long-term care, and conduct
Today, the intermediate and long-term care
facilities are largely run by charities. There
is potential for the private sector to expand
its role, particularly in the nursing home
market, to meet different needs of different
regular fora with them to chart
the course for the industry.
#26. The Government should
develop a holistic manpower
development plan for the
healthcare and eldercare
sector, to ensure the supply of
well-trained professionals in
tandem with the ageing
population.
#27. The Government should
work with stakeholders to put
in place a comprehensive
service quality framework for
the eldercare sector, to ensure
consistent and progressive
standards of care nationally.
population segments.
MOH will look into facilitating the entry of
providers which can add value to this
sector. This will include measures to
further improve market transparency, so
that the market can function better. In Oct
06, MOH published an information paper
on charges in the nursing home sector.
MOH will continue to push out more
information, such as on clinical and service
performance.
MOH, in collaboration other agencies (e.g.
MOE, MOM, WDA, NTUC and tertiary
educational institutions), has ramped up our
supply of doctors, nurses and allied health
professions over the years. This is done by
increasing our local training intakes, active
recruitment of foreign trained healthcare
professionals, redesigning jobs and
facilitating entry of local mid-career
workers into the healthcare sector. Such
efforts to train, recruit and increase the
pipeline will be ongoing to meet our
evolving and expanding healthcare needs.
In Oct 07, WDA launched a skills
development framework for community
and social services sector under its
Workforce Skills Qualifications system.
MCYS and NCSS are working with WDA
on using the skills development framework
to improve the skills of eldercare workers
as part of the effort to improve service
standards.
#28. MOH should review the
Medisave policy to allow
Medisave withdrawals for the
treatment of some common
chronic diseases affecting the
seniors.
#29. MOH should review the
ElderShield scheme, with the
aim to improve the coverage
for seniors who require long
term care.
#30. The Government should
commit $10 million over five
years to set up the ‘Golden
Opportunities! Fund’ (GO!
Fund) to seed more
programmes and activities for
seniors and by seniors.
MOH has rolled out the Chronic Disease
Management Programme from 1 Oct 06.
Under this programme, Medisave can be
used to pay for outpatient treatments of
diabetes, hypertension, lipids disorders and
stroke. Each Medisave account holder can
withdraw up to $300 per year for such
expenses. Altogether, about 1 million
Singaporeans, many of them elderly, will
benefit.
MOH has completed the review of the
ElderShield Scheme. As of 1 Oct 07, there
are 3 ElderShield insurers: Aviva, Great
Eastern Life, and NTUC Income. The new
basic ElderShield pays $400 per month in
cash, for up to 6 years. The premiums for
basic ElderShield can be paid with
Medisave.
Insurers can also offer ElderShield
Supplements to those who prefer and can
afford higher coverage. The premium for
Supplements can be paid for by Medisave
(subject to a withdrawal limit of $600 per
insured per year).
MCYS announced the launch of the GO!
Fund in Apr 06, with $20 million set aside
over five years. Since Oct 07, the
administration of the GO! Fund has been
transferred to the Council for Third Age.
Projects that have been funded under the
GO! Fund include: Learn My Dialect
programme by Viriya Community Services,
which aims to break down language
barriers between the dialect-speaking
seniors and the younger generation, by
recruiting bilingual seniors to conduct
dialect training in schools and social

#31. The Government should
build on strong family ties to
ensure that the family
continues to be the first line of
support.
#32. The Government should
systematically inform older
persons of activities. For
instance, the Government
could publish an active
lifestyle magazine to be made
readily available to older
persons.
#33. The Government should
ensure that all public spaces in
housing estates such as parks
and sporting venues have
facilities that cater to the
whole family, including
seniors, so as to make it
convenient for seniors to
engage in sports.
service institutions; a 100-hour course
covering subjects such as gerontology
health and community work for seniors by
Young-at- Heart! (YAH!) Community
College.
The Council for Third Age has taken over
the organisation of Senior Citizens’ Week
and has re-branded it as Active Ageing
Festival from 07 onwards. One of the
themes promoted under the Active Ageing
Festival includes Grandparents’ Day on 25
Nov 07.
In collaboration with CPF, MCYS issued
an active ageing publication in Nov 06
entitled, “Jubilee” to 20,000 seniors turning
55 years.
Since 06, SPRING Publishing, a
commercial publisher, has published bi-
monthly PRIME (English) and GaoFeng
(Chinese) magazines targeted at persons
aged 45 years and above.
SSC is enhancing sports facilities with
better signage, lightings, open space for
interaction, and more rest areas, as well as
upgrading existing sports facilities.
SSC and PA will work to offer a greater
variety of sports courses and activities at all
community clubs/centres where space and
demand permits.

#34. HPB should implement
more programmes to inform
seniors of the importance and
benefits of healthy living, to
increase public awareness of
health issues.
HPB will conduct talks and
community and workplace-
based outreach activities to
promote healthy living.
#35. The Government should
provide for more public spaces
within housing estates and
neighbourhood parks for
seniors to interact and
socialise, such as ensuring that
every recreational area in
estates is suitable for the
whole family, including
seniors.
SSC has also built elder-friendly and
disabled-friendly sports facilities at Jurong
West, Choa Chu Kang, Jalan Besar and
Jurong East.
HPB has developed and enhanced several
programmes to reach out to seniors to
increase their knowledge and awareness of
the importance of living a healthy lifestyle
and to encourage them to engage in health
promoting behaviours. These include:
1) Screening programmes for diabetes, high
blood pressure and high cholesterol.
2) Those screened as abnormal will be
tracked and followed up to ensure that
they are treated. They will be counselled
on how to manage their disease and the
lifestyle changes they need to make.
3) Healthy eating.
4) Physical activity for health benefits and
exercises to increase muscle strength,
improve flexibility and balance to
prevent falls.
The “family playground” concept has been
implemented in new HDB housing
precincts. Family playgrounds have both
play equipment for children and exercise
equipment for the youth, adults and elderly.
For older estates, their playgrounds are
being converted to family playgrounds as
part of precinct upgrading by HDB and
Town Councils. As at Apr 07, there were
136 family playgrounds in public housing
estates.

#36. NVPC should work with
partners to develop and
promote more volunteering
opportunities for seniors, to
better harness their
experiences and skills for the
community.
Where possible, NParks, as part of its park
development programme, will design parks
that are universally accessible and have
facilities such as exercise equipment that
are senior-friendly. Since 2004, NParks
has been retrofitting parks to make them
universally accessible and equipped with
elder-friendly facilities.
NParks is also targeting to set up about 400
community gardening groups/plots by
2010.
Since 2006, NVPC has been increasing
awareness of senior volunteerism through
public education materials and events,
media relations and media campaigns.
These include fairs organised to promote
active ageing and volunteerism and a
dedicated brochure featuring volunteer
opportunities for seniors. NVPC has also
been actively promoting senior
volunteerism to non-profit organisations
(NPOs) through visits and focus group
discussions involving NPO representatives.
To help facilitate recruitment and
encourage retention of senior volunteers,
NVPC has developed an on-line best
practice guide for NPOs, ‘Engaging Senior
Volunteers: A Guide for Non-profit
Organisations’. NVPC has also acquired
relevant publications on senior volunteering
for its Resource Centre for public
consumption.
NVPC also conducts training for NPOs to
help them in managing and retaining their
senior volunteers.
#37. Universities and
polytechnics should provide
more learning opportunities
for seniors, to allow seniors
the opportunity to learn and
pursue their interest areas.
#38. NLB should provide
more large print books and
audio-visual materials that
appeal to seniors.
#39. SSC and PA
should introduce family
passes to encourage
multi-generational use
of sports facilities.
With support from MCYS’ Golden
Opportunities (GO!) Fund in 2007, YAH!
College has expanded lifelong learning in
the community.
In Aug 07, the Council for Third Age also
signed a MOU with UniSIM to promote the
General Studies Programme beginning
2008. 500 spaces have been set aside for
seniors.
MCYS will continue to facilitate and open
up opportunities for older Singaporeans to
embark on lifelong learning opportunities.
Since 2006, NLB has conducted focus
group sessions to obtain end-users' inputs,
which have been incorporated into the
specifications outlining the collection
buildup. Today, a total of 12,000 volumes
of audio books have been placed at
Tampines, Woodlands and Jurong regional
libraries and the Central Lending Library.
Large-font books have also been added to
NLB branches.
The Grassroots Organisations (GROs)
under the PA offer discounts and incentives
for family participation in many of their
activities. PA will encourage GROs to do
more where appropriate.
The SSC also launched its Senior Citizen
Family Pass in 2007, which offers
discounts for senior citizens and their
family members to facilitate inter-
generational bonding among seniors and
their families through sports.