INTRODUCTION to SINGAPORE HEALTHCARE Contents
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01 INTRODUCTION TO SINGAPORE HEALTHCARE Contents Chapter 1 Ageing Successfully in Singapore Chapter 2 Healthcare and Community Care Services Chapter 3 Home and Community Development Efforts Chapter 4 Referral Volume and Workload for Home Care Chapter 5 Key Agencies Chapter 6 Legislation Chapter 01 Ageing Successfully in Singapore e CHAPTER01 The population’s median age has increased Singapore is a small but from 39.3 in 2014 to 39.6 in 2015. The proportion of elderly residents has grown from vibrant city state with a 2.5% in 1965 to 11.8% in 2015. Ageing Successfully total land area of 719.1 square kilometres and In terms of age composition, the young-old a total population of (aged 65-74 years) makes up the majority (see Table 1.1). in Singapore 5.61 million. The old-old (aged 75-84) is the next largest group at 29%, while the oldest-old (aged 85 and above), forms the remaining 9%. Table 1.1 Age Composition Young-old Old-old Oldest-old 65 - 69 70 - 74 75 - 79 80 - 84 85 and over 40% 22% 18% 11% 9% Total 100% Number 459,715 p Source: Population Trends 2015, DOS. 04 Booklet 1 Introduction to Singapore Healthcare Introduction to Singapore Healthcare Booklet 1 05 Chapter 01 Ageing Successfully in Singapore Chapter 01 Ageing Successfully in Singapore The Action Plan aims to build a The average life expectancy be aged 65 years old or older The Action Plan for Successful Nation for All Ages, with its of Singaporeans has also by 2030, the rapidly ageing Ageing report was released on increased, contributing to population in Singapore will 24 February 2016. It details initiatives focused on three key areas Singapore’s ageing population. lead to greater demand for about 70 initiatives covering The life expectancy at birth social and healthcare services 12 areas, namely, health First, at the individual level, helping Singaporeans rose from 61.0 years in 1957 to support the elderly. While and wellness, protection live long, live well and age confidently. to 82.7 years in 2015. There is the majority of elderly lead for vulnerable seniors, been a rapid drop in the fertility healthy and independent and research to empower Action Second, at the community level, to build a rate, with the Total Fertility lives, there are some who Singaporeans to achieve the cohesive society with inter-generational harmony. Rate (TFR) falling to below the require additional healthcare goals of the national plan. plan replacement level of 2.1 births and personal care services The action plan is jointly Third, at the city level, to build an age-friendly per woman since 1977. The after being discharged from developed by government city that enables seniors to live actively and age-in- falling birth rate and rising life hospitals. At the same time, agencies, voluntary welfare place confidently. expectancy is increasing the the supply of healthcare and non-profit organisations, number and proportion of the services will be constrained by academia, businesses, elderly. low labour force growth. community and union leaders The Action Plan will cover the following areas: with feedback received from Ageing is Singapore’s key The Ministerial Committee on MOH’s public consultation. demographic challenge. Ageing (MCA) has recently The full Action Plan can be Singapore will be a place where everyone, including The number of seniors aged unveiled a $3 billion national downloaded from [https:// Thrust One: seniors, can continually learn, grow and achieve their fullest 65 years and above will double plan to help Singaporeans age www.moh.gov.sg/content/dam/ potential. Here are some initiatives introduced: from 440,000 in 2015 to over confidently and lead active moh_web/SuccessfulAgeing/ Opportunities for All Ages 900,000 in 2030. With 1 in lives, and with strong bonds action-plan.pdf] every 4 residents expected to to the family and community. Lifelong employability National Seniors’ Health The government, unions and employers introduced Programme a number of measures to improve the lifelong The Ministry of Health (MOH) will employability of our older workers. For example: the launch a new National Senior’s Retirement and Re-employment Act, special employment Health Programme to effectively credit, continuing education and training, and the Tripartite promote health education and Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices. preventive health services for seniors. The national programme will seek to educate seniors on Lifelong learning key health issues related to As a society, Singapore places emphasis on education age, encourage seniors to adopt and training. The government has invested heavily healthy living habits and bring HomeCare in developing a strong education and training preventive health services to their system for both our young and adult workforce. Going doorsteps. The ministry aims to forward, the Government will create more opportunities reach over 400,000 seniors. for Singaporeans to continue enriching their silver years through the pursuit of lifelong learning. Senior Volunteerism Retirement Adequacy The government has started a national senior volunteerism Various enhancement were made movement so that seniors can contribute their talents to retirement schemes to assure and experience. The Government aims to recruit an seniors that they can afford their additional 50,000 senior volunteers. living expenses, healthcare and long term care needs after they retire. 06 Booklet 1 Introduction to Singapore Healthcare Introduction to Singapore Healthcare Booklet 1 07 Chapter 01 Ageing Successfully in Singapore Chapter 01 Ageing Successfully in Singapore Singapore will be distinctive globally not just for its economic success, but City also as a model for successful ageing. Singapore will be a caring and inclusive society that The Government wants to transform respects and embraces seniors as an integral part of Singapore into an age-friendly city for all Thrust Two: our cohesive community. Here are some opportunities where Singaporeans can age-in- Kampong for All Ages created for friendship and mutual support among place gracefully and confidently. seniors and their neighbours in the community: ages Develop “Communities of Care” to Promote inter-generational harmony The healthcare system help seniors age-in-place The Housing & Development Board (HDB) has The government will implement a Healthcare 2020 Masterplan to introduced a number of policies to encourage The People’s Association will leverage on expand healthcare infrastructure to address growing healthcare Singaporeans to live close to and support their its community facilities and its network to needs. Furthermore, MOH will transform healthcare service elderly parents. For example, the Multi-Generation deliver health services and promote health delivery in the following ways: education, senior learning and volunteerism Priority Scheme encourages families to live close under the Wellness Programme. The aim is to one another, while the Married Child Priority Enhance geriatric capability in acute hospitals Ramp up manpower development to ensure to eventually have a wellness hub in every Scheme encourages married children and parents there will be enough staff to support the mature neighbourhood. to reside together. In addition, HDB, the Ministry Pilot community-based geriatric services to of Health and the Early Childhood Development bring care closer to older Singaporeans in expansion in aged care services Agency (ECDA) will plan for eldercare and the community Expand community support for seniors childcare facilities to be co-located in 10 new HDB Develop Geriatric Dental Expertise and Services with dementia housing developments. to improve the oral health of our senior Pilot new “Nursing Homes of the Future” population Test bed tele-health solutions to better care for Encourage love and respect Future-ready legislation to prepare for Further expand the capacity of intermediate older patients for seniors Singapore’s ageing population and long-term care services between Enhance the capacity, affordability and quality of 2015 and 2020 The People’s Association will work with its Today, there are two main Acts to protect the palliative care to support an ageing population community, corporate and merchant partners, vulnerable elderly. The Maintenance of Parents Implement a new Masterplan on Home and while Singapore Business Federation (SBF) will Act allows seniors who are unable to maintain Community Care to better support seniors to encourage businesses and trade associations themselves financially to obtain maintenance from age-in-place and chambers to support the various senior their children. The Mental Capacity Act enables friendly initiatives. individuals to make a Lasting Power of Attorney to appoint someone they trust to make decisions on their behalf in case they lose mental capacity. Senior-friendly housing The Housing & Development Board (HDB) is making efforts to help seniors age well. New initiatives are being planned to make Singapore will be distinctive globally not just the public housing heartlands more senior-friendly: for its economic success, but also as a model for successful ageing. The Government wants HDB and the Ministry of Health (MOH) will MOH and the Ministry of National Development Thrust Three: to transform Singapore into an age-friendly create “Continuing Care Precincts” in new (MND) will promote senior-friendly towns. City for All Ages city where Singaporeans can age-in-place housing developments Marine Parade was one of the earliest towns to gracefully and confidently MOH has planned to build another 40 day be upgraded under the City for All Ages (CFAA) centres by 2020, to provide integrated health project to make Marine Parade more friendly and social care services for seniors. for seniors. HDB will build “smarter” homes for seniors 08 Booklet 1 Introduction to Singapore Healthcare Introduction to Singapore Healthcare Booklet 1 09 Chapter 01 Ageing Successfully in Singapore Senior-Friendly Transport e The Public Transport Council and the Land Transport Authority (LTA) have been introducing measures to make it more affordable and convenient for seniors to move around by public transport.