ACTION PLAN FOR SUCCESSFUL AGEING © MINISTRY OF HEALTH Published in 2016 by the Ministry of Health All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner.

ISBN 978-981-09-8536-3 CONTENTS

Foreword 4

Chapter 1 Our Aspirations for a Silver 6 How many Singaporeans are 65 or older? 8 Public consultation: We heard you 10

Chapter 2 Action Plan for Successful Ageing 24

Chapter 3 Opportunities for All Ages 30

Chapter 4 Kampong for All Ages 52

Chapter 5 City for All Ages 62

Towards A Nation For All Ages 80

Acknowledgements 81

2 3 Let’s FOREWORD re-define ageing

Last year, we celebrated a significant milestone for Singapore. Our baby boomers have grown up with our nation and the majority will turn 65 over the next two decades. There is no better time to plan for an ageing population as we progress towards SG100.

This Action Plan is our blueprint to enable Singaporeans to grow older with confidence. Between June 2014 and May 2015, we engaged Singaporeans in conversations about ageing and what it means to age successfully. This Action Plan contains their ideas, suggestions and plans.

We hope that Singapore will remain a good place to grow old in, where there are opportunities for Singaporeans of all ages. We want to build a cohesive “kampong” for all ages, where there is inter-generational harmony and understanding. Our city will be a city for all ages, designed sensitively and lovingly for seniors to age gracefully among family, friends and neighbours, leveraging on the potential of modern technology.

I would like to thank everyone who has participated and contributed ideas, and the people and private sector organisations for working with us on the initiatives in this Action Plan.

Together, we can re-define ageing and build a Nation for All Ages which we are proud to call home.

Gan Kim Yong Minister for Health and Minister-in-charge of Ageing Issues Chairman of the Ministerial Committee on Ageing

4 5 CHAPTER 1 OUR ASPIRATIONS FOR A SILVER SINGAPORE

Singapore is ageing rapidly, though our society can remain dynamic and cohesive. Many Singaporeans shared with us their aspirations and ideas on how to transform the face of ageing in the next 50 years.

6 7 7 As we have fewer babies, there will be far fewer HOW MANY Singaporeans of working SINGAPOREANS age to support our elderly. ARE 65 OR OLDER1 ?

1 in 31 OUR POPULATION IS AGEING RAPIDLY. 1970 2015 2030 In 1970, 1 in 31 Singaporeans was 65 or older. YEAR In 2015, it was 1 in 8. By 2030, it will be 1 in 4. We will have over 900,000 seniors, approximately double the current 440,000. Seniors aged Working adults aged 65 and above between 20 and 64

1 in 8 Singapore Residents are also LIVING LONGER AND STAYING 1 in 4 HEALTHY FOR LONGER. Ageing need not cause worry and gloom. If we plan ahead, ageing can be a positive experience for all. 2.1 MORE LIFE YEAR 2004 79.6 YEARS AVERAGE LIFE YEARS 1970 2015 2030 EXPECTANCY YEAR 2010 81.7 YEAR YEARS

Seniors aged Singaporeans 65 and above under the age of 65 YEAR 2004 3.4 72.1 MORE YEARS AVERAGE HEALTHY HEALTHY YEARS YEAR 2010 75.5 YEARS YEARS 1 Source: Department of Statistics & Epidemiology and Disease Control Division, MOH.

8 9 Public consultation WE HEARD YOU

Between June 2014 and May 2015, the Ministerial Committee on Ageing and our partners engaged over 4,000 Singaporeans from all walks of life to hear their aspirations and ideas on how we can help Singaporeans age well.

Almost 50 focus group discussions

“Listening points” at public spaces like libraries, shopping malls and universities

Online consultations

EMPLOYABILITY AGED CARE SERVICES 1 Ageless workplaces, 6 Ageing-in-place, 10 lifelong employability remaining independent Participants included Singaporeans TOPICS from various walks of life – students, LIFELONG LEARNING HOUSING taxi drivers, academics, rental block THAT 2 Never too old to go 7 Supporting residents, senior volunteers, grassroots WERE back to school changing needs leaders, senior learners and human DISCUSSED resource practitioners. SENIOR VOLUNTEERISM TRANSPORT 3 Helping others, 8 Re-defining the fufilling lives travel experience

HEALTH AND WELLNESS PUBLIC SPACES We also consulted union members, 4 Healthy seniors, 9 Making our urban and reached out to different communities happy seniors infrastructure more – the Islamic Religious Council of senior-friendly Singapore (MUIS) and self-help groups such as the Chinese Development SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT RESEARCH Assistance Council (CDAC), Mendaki 5 AND INCLUSION 10 ON AGEING and the Singapore Indian Development Connecting people Understanding needs, Association (SINDA). of all ages encouraging innovation

10 11 EMPLOYABILITY LIFELONG LEARNING 1 Ageless workplaces, lifelong employability 2 Never too old to go back to school

I learnt how “ to use Facebook I want to work at a polytechnic! “ for as long as Now I train other I can. It keeps seniors to do the my mind active. same. Can we ” have more of such courses? ”

Many seniors want to work beyond Promote workplace health and safety. Seniors want to keep learning, for work Bring learning to the community, the official retirement age to remain and for personal interest. Learning helps such as at Residents’ Committee financially independent and keep Review or extend retirement age – them to keep their minds active and centres and other suitable facilities. themselves active. Seniors hope to have some think it should be extended to to stay in touch with society. Seniors meaningful job opportunities to fulfil their 70, while others feel it should be cite affordability, access and entry Affordability aspirations at their stage of life; a fair and abolished entirely. requirements as some barriers to lifelong inclusive workplace to work in; and an learning. Seniors hope to see a more Help seniors to offset the cost of learning. Provide good career guidance and enabling workplace that is safe and uses diverse range of learning opportunities transition programmes a few years technology to help them excel in their jobs. that are easily accessible. They also want Adult education ahead of the re-employment age. courses tailored for their age and to be Train teachers in the art of teaching Promote mind-set change recognised for skills and experiences older learners. To make workplaces “ageless”, suggestions among employers on the value they have acquired. They also feel that from seniors and employers include: Facilitate peer learning where of older workers. more can be done to publicise learning opportunities for seniors. “seniors teach seniors”. Re-design jobs to offer older Allow older workers to try out Promote inter-generational learning. workers greater flexibility. jobs via internships or job trials. Suggestions on how to encourage more Promote new modes of learning, such as Make training accessible and Recognise employers who seniors to pursue lifelong learning as a e-learning, modular learning, interactive effective for older workers. treat older workers well. way of life include: and experiential learning.

Set up a dedicated seniors-only Promote inter-generational Accessibility Awareness national job bank. workplace harmony. Increase the variety of learning options. Increase awareness of senior learning Seniors want to take courses at Institutes opportunities through a one-stop of Higher Learning but without sitting portal, distribution of flyers and for examinations. outdoor advertising.

12 13 3 SENIOR VOLUNTEERISM HEALTH AND WELLNESS Helping others, fulfilling lives 4 Healthy seniors, happy seniors

I am setting the I am most worried “ example for my “ about depression children and and loneliness grandchildren. after my children I want them to have married know that giving and moved out back is the right and my husband thing to do. ” has passed on. ”

Seniors can and want to give back to society. Suggestions from seniors and volunteer Seniors say that to age well, one must Access Volunteerism is a meaningful way to do so organisations on how to encourage older be healthy – physically, mentally, socially, Create one-stop wellness hubs in the while creating a positive impact. Seniors people to volunteer include: and emotionally. Seniors want to live neighbourhood which offer a range of would like to have volunteering opportunities more healthily, with access to information Recruitment health and wellness activities and services, that interest them and where they can apply on health issues for people their age, such as talks and seminars, health screening, their skills and expertise. Some prefer more Start a national movement to promote health checks and exercise opportunities and simple information and referral services. flexible arrangements, including being able senior volunteerism. near their homes or at their workplaces. to volunteer closer to where they live. Seniors Create diverse volunteerism opportunities Enhance screening packages to include would like volunteerism among older people that seniors can choose from, to best suit screening for fall risk, vision and hearing. Suggestions on how we can keep our to be promoted nationally and for recognition their interests and skills. Educate seniors with different physical seniors healthy, happy and well include: to be given to senior volunteers. They would abilities on the types of exercises that Help seniors find volunteer opportunities also like more training courses to empower they can do. near their homes. them to be effective volunteers. Awareness Provide mobile health services to Keep volunteer sign-on processes Give seniors a health journal in which they simple and provide induction training seniors living in the community. Organisations that recruit senior volunteers can keep track of their health screening for new volunteers. regard them as valuable assets, given their and vaccination details. This journal could Active community skills and experience. However, these also contain tips on staying healthy. Retention organisations face challenges in attracting Tap on volunteers to befriend seniors at Conduct health and wellness talks on a senior volunteers, in part because there is Provide training and support home or to accompany frail seniors to wider range of issues, such as how to currently no dedicated platform or mechanism for senior volunteers. their medical appointments. to match seniors (according to their interests, maintain a healthy relationship between Support senior volunteers’ out-of-pocket spouses as well as gender-specific issues. Design health activities for the whole family, skills, preferred venues and availability) to expenses, such as travel costs. volunteering opportunities. Organisations are so that seniors can get involved along with Develop a guide to affordable and healthy aware there is a need to design more suitable Create volunteer development pathways their family members. diet options for seniors. Deliver health volunteering opportunities for seniors, so that the more experienced ones can promotion messages to seniors’ doorsteps, Encourage employers to promote a particularly those that are less physically take on leadership roles and mentor via mass media and the distribution of flyers. healthy lifestyle to their mature workforce. demanding. Many also lack the resources to newer volunteers. set up and maintain sound volunteer management systems and practices, including Recognition IT, manpower systems and volunteer training. Recognise and appreciate senior volunteers.

14 15 SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT 5 AND INCLUSION AGED CARE SERVICES Connecting people of all ages 6 Ageing-in-place, remaining independent

“ Can we have day “ I think young and night care in the people should ? We would respect seniors like to take care of but I also think our elderly parents that seniors but when we cannot should respect manage, can we bring young people. them downstairs ” to a professional? ”

Seniors hope to see an inclusive Seniors want to age comfortably and More assistance with information society where the young respect and gracefully in the communities where and referral services. care for the old. They also hope for they live. Seniors want eldercare more social spaces near their homes centres and primary care services Increase accessibility to where they can interact frequently like General Practitioner (GP) clinics home and community services with other seniors so that they will and polyclinics nearer their homes. be less lonely. They also hope that aged care facilities Increase homecare and eldercare will offer a wider range of activities centre capacity. in the future to keep their minds and Better organisation of transport Suggestions on how we can strengthen bodies active. Meanwhile, caregivers services to help seniors get access care and respect for seniors include: want more support in caring for their to centre-based aged care services. elderly loved ones, such as respite Leverage technology such as care and financial support. Wider range of home and community chat groups on mobile platforms care options for seniors in need of care. to build social support networks Eldercare centres should provide a within the communities. Suggestions on how seniors can wider range of meaningful activities. be supported to remain independent Work with schools to nurture and to age in the community include: Bring health services closer to a culture of respect for seniors the community. These include among our youth. Greater support for caregivers consultations with dieticians and Create more opportunities medication reconciliation services. for inter-generational interaction, Equip caregivers with better caregiving skills. for instance by co-locating Affordability eldercare and childcare facilities. More respite services for caregivers. Provide greater funding support for aged Introduce eldercare leave. care services, especially for the needy.

16 17 HOUSING 8 TRANSPORT 7 Supporting changing needs Re-defining the travel experience

I think the elderly We should “ like my parents’ “ encourage more generation would bus drivers to like to stay in their display considerate current homes. behaviour, such At that age, it’s a as waiting until bit stressful for them an elderly person to move, to have is seated before to restart over. ” driving off. ”

Many seniors prefer to be independent Seniors want to lead independent and Audio announcement system in and do not want to live with their children active lives, and hope to see a more buses to help seniors keep track as they fear they may be a burden. senior-friendly transport system that of the route and stops made by the bus. enables them to make their own way Automatic mechanism to help around Singapore more easily, safely seniors in wheelchairs to board Seniors hope to see more health and social and comfortably. services better integrated into housing and disembark from buses. options in the future. They also hope that their homes will be retrofitted with features Some transport improvements Walking and cycling to make them safer and more senior-friendly, suggested by seniors include: e.g. light switches placed low enough Separate paths for walking and for seniors in wheelchairs to reach, cycling to ensure safer commuting. Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system a clothes-drying system that is easier to Lifts or escalators at pedestrian manage, an emergency alert system and Improve signage in MRT stations to overhead bridges. safer stoves which do not pose fire hazards. aid wayfinding and reinforce seniors’ confidence in taking public transport. Social behaviours on public transport Allow seniors more time to board trains. A sustained public education campaign Reduce the speed of escalators as to encourage users to move to the back well as the opening and closing of of buses or to the middle of train cabins fare gates during off-peak hours. and to give up seats for seniors. Remind bus drivers not to accelerate Bus system or brake too suddenly which may Larger bus service numbers for cause seniors to lose their balance improved visibility. and fall.

18 19 Re-defining the journey home

THE (LTA) held a series of Focus Group Discussions and a “Senior Footprint” Mapping Exercise, where LTA officers accompanied some seniors on their daily public transport journey, to better understand their travel patterns and needs.

On 20 August 2015, 24 seniors were invited to take part in a “footprint mapping” exercise at Madam Tan embarked on her Madam Tan arrived at Bishan Her next task was to find the Bishan MRT station. These seniors first mission to take the train station and continued on her nearest toilet. The sign says were unfamiliar with Bishan MRT 1 from station to 3 second mission to find her 5 240 metres, yet at the end station, and were tasked with Bishan station. She easily way to the Circle Line and the of the 240 metres is… this lift. completing a series of simple found the escalator at Toa train platform indicating the Where is the toilet? wayfinding “missions” centred Payoh station leading to the way to Serangoon station. She around the station. platform to take the train. suggested clearer signages could be placed to help her LTA officers accompanied the better navigate the transport seniors throughout the exercise system. LTA is reviewing how to to observe, and better understand improve the wayfinding signage and empathise with seniors’ at the interchange stations. experiences of our public transport system. This also allowed them to obtain direct feedback on how to make the transport network more senior-friendly.

Madam Tan Joo Geok, a 56-year-old participant said: “I am glad I had the chance to share my thoughts with the LTA officer who accompanied me. It is good that the government is making the effort to hear our views.” Madam Tan managed to find Next, Madam Tan was She approached an SMRT The feedback from this exercise a seat within the train. She asked to find her way to officer for help and realised she will go into LTA’s review of the design 2 constantly checked the MRT 4 the tap-out area of Bishan 6 needed to take the lift and tap and placement of directional signs in display routemap to ensure she station. She was glad that out of the station in order to get bus interchanges and MRT stations, knows where she was and how there was a sign at the to the nearest toilet like at all to better cater to seniors’ needs. far she was from her stop. platform that led her to it. other stations. LTA is reviewing the signage.

20 21 9 PUBLIC SPACES RESEARCH ON AGEING Making our urban infrastructure more senior-friendly 10 Understanding needs, encouraging innovation

“ It is worth studying Senior-friendly the differences among “ different ageing design should sub-populations, not be an to understand what matters in enabling afterthought. people to age ” in a better way. ”

Seniors want to lead active lives. Friendlier Experts highlighted the need for need for social connectivity. They tell us that we need to make Singapore to conduct more research Improve wheelchair access to public our public places “safer”, “friendlier” into ageing. Research should be specific Research into the factors that amenities such as hawker centres and better equipped with amenities. to the local context and involve motivate seniors to remain in the and eating outlets. Seniors feel that the government researchers from various disciplines. workforce and to engage in should actively promote awareness Install signage with wordings in Research outcomes should also be lifelong learning and volunteerism. and interest in senior-friendly bigger fonts in public areas. applicable to real life scenarios. urban design. Install more sheltered walkways Ageing-in-place with railings and gentle ramps. Experts identified the following research Study how urban design and Specific suggestions include: Install more benches with backrests priorities for Singapore: architecture affects a person’s living and handles on both sides so seniors space as they age. “Living Laboratories” Safer can sit down and stand up easily. Expanding health span can be created to study how adaptable design concepts can be applied to Increase the lighting along pedestrian Research into the prevention as well as address the ageing community’s pathways and use non-slip flooring. Additional amenities the management of age-related conditions. Surfaces with grooves should be evolving needs. Install more senior-friendly toilets Research into effective programmes replaced so that wheelchair-users in public places. that can delay the decline of brain function. Research into care models that can can navigate these pathways too. Situate essential services such as better and more effectively support seniors and their caregivers. Improve steps and stairways. clinics, aged care facilities and food Productive longevity There should be ample handrails establishments near residences. and the height of the steps should Research into retirement adequacy or ways Research on seniors’ social be kept lower. Steps should also Create more social spaces within to help seniors transit from employment connectivity, and its link to depression be wide enough and have good residential areas, to encourage seniors to retirement, and how to meet their and loneliness. colour contrast. to meet with friends and neighbours.

22 23 CHAPTER 2 ACTION PLAN FOR SUCCESSFUL AGEING

A Nation for All Ages. We want Singapore to be the best place for Singaporeans to grow old in, and a model for successful ageing.

24 25 THE ACTION PLAN FOR SUCCESSFUL AGEING is jointly developed by government agencies, voluntary welfare and non-profit organisations, academia, businesses, community and union leaders, with feedback received from our public consultation.

There are more than 70 initiatives in 12 areas – health and wellness, learning, volunteerism, employment, housing, transport, public spaces, respect and social inclusion, retirement adequacy, healthcare and aged care, protection for vulnerable seniors and research – to prepare Singapore for rapid population ageing in the next decade.

A SUCCESSFULLY 1 AGEING SINGAPORE

This is what a successfully ageing Singapore will be like:

OPPORTUNITIES KAMPONG CITY FOR ALL AGES FOR ALL AGES FOR ALL AGES

Singapore will be a Singapore will be a Singapore will be place where everyone, caring and inclusive distinctive globally including seniors, society that respects not just for its can continually learn, and embraces seniors economic success, grow and achieve their as an integral part of our but also as a model fullest potential. cohesive community. for successful ageing.

26 27 OUR KEY INITIATIVES 2 AND TARGETS*

Lifelong Employability The re-employment age will be raised from 65 to 67 by 2017, to enable workers to work longer if they are willing and able to, with the possibility of further increases in the future as our population ages.

Aged Care Transport Health and Wellness Senior Volunteerism Between 2015 and 2020, The Land Transport Authority will: A National Seniors’ Health Programme the Ministry of Health (MOH) will: that will reach over 400,000 older adults. We aim to recruit an additional Implement 35 Silver Zones by 2020. 50,000 senior volunteers. More than double the number Double the number of Green Man Plus A new workplace health programme of Community Hospital beds. that will target 120,000 mature workers traffic lights from the current 500 to aged 40 and above. Increase nursing home capacity 1,000 by end-2018. Community Befriending by more than 70%. Install lifts at an additional 41 pedestrian overhead bridges by 2018. Expand home visitation programmes Increase home and community care Senior Learning in at least 50 neighbourhoods to places by 50% and 100% respectively. Replace all buses with keep social isolation and poor health wheelchair-accessible ones by 2020. A National Silver Academy that at bay among vulnerable seniors. will eventually provide some 30,000 learning places for seniors to pursue Active Ageing and Assisted Living their interests. Research Inter-generational Harmony MOH has planned another 40 day We aim to have 100 schools centres for seniors by 2020. About The National Research Foundation and Voluntary Welfare Organisations/ Co-locate eldercare and childcare a quarter of these centres will be will set aside up to $200 million community organisations to come facilities in some 10 new large Active Ageing Hubs in housing for a National Innovation Challenge on board the Intergenerational Housing & Development Board developments, providing active ageing on Active and Confident Ageing Learning Programme. housing developments. and assisted living services to seniors. to catalyse research related to ageing.

* We plan to achieve the targets within the next 10-15 years, except where stated otherwise.

28 29 CHAPTER 3 OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL AGES

Longevity is Opportunity. Seniors will have opportunities to continue working, learning and growing as they enjoy many more years of healthy life.

30 31 The positive outcomes are: The government will continue to maximise LIFELONG the employability of Singaporeans 1 Our employment rate for residents aged throughout their longer life spans. EMPLOYABILITY 55 to 64 grew by 13.5 percentage points from 2006 to 2015 to reach a record high In the past decade, Singapore’s tripartite Training (CET) to help Singaporeans of 67.2% in 20152. We have one of the partners — the government, unions and re-skill and up-skill, as they highest older population employment rates employers — have introduced a number of progressed in their careers or amongst OECD3 countries. measures to facilitate the lifelong employability switched jobs. of our older workers. For example: Our re-employment rate is also high; The Tripartite Alliance for Fair nearly all local employees who turned and Progressive Employment The Retirement and Re-employment Act 62 between July 2013 and June 2014 Practices (TAFEP) was formed in was enacted in 2012 to provide more were offered re-employment. 2006 to encourage employers, opportunities for workers to work beyond employees and the general public Median gross monthly incomes of older the statutory minimum retirement age of to view older workers more positively. full-time employed resident workers 62 and up to the age of 65. aged 55 and above grew by 2.6% In 2013, the tripartite partners The Special Employment Credit, which per annum in real terms over the last five introduced the WorkPro programme 4 offsets the monthly wages of Singaporean years . This was higher than the increase to help employers put in place employees aged above 50 earning up to for full-time employed residents in general. initiatives to improve work-life $4,000 a month, was introduced in 2011. harmony, and to recruit and retain 2 Source: Comprehensive Labour Force Survey, Manpower Research & Statistics Department, MOM. The government expanded and enhanced older workers and back-to-work 3 Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development the system of Continuing Education and locals to meet their manpower needs. 4 Data pertain to gross monthly income from work (including employer CPF contributions) of full-time employed residents, excluding full-time National Servicemen. The compounded annual growth rate was derived for the period of 2009 to 2014 based on incomes deflated by the Consumer Price Index for all items at 2014 prices. Source: Comprehensive Labour Force Survey, Manpower Research & Statistics Department, MOM.

32 33 In the next five years, we will introduce TAFEP will continue to shape a fair the health issues most salient to them. a number of new initiatives to help and inclusive workplace culture by Singaporeans remain employable as they age. educating and supporting employers Some Voluntary Welfare Organisations, These initiatives address seniors’ call for to adopt age-inclusive employment such as Centre for Seniors (CFS), have more job and training opportunities, as well practices. This is complemented developed programmes to help older as their different aspirations. by the Ministry of Manpower’s workers seeking a career transition as interventions, where companies found well as those preparing for retirement. The re-employment age will be to have discriminatory employment The CFS programme will help seniors raised from 65 to 67 by 2017, to practices will have their work pass better understand government schemes enable workers to work longer if privileges curtailed. in housing, healthcare and retirement they are willing and able to, with adequacy. There will also be a programme the possibility of further increases The Ministry of Health (MOH) and to train union leaders to be effective in the future as our population ages. the will bring advocates of re-employment and healthy lifestyle activities to the retirement matters. After the training, SkillsFuture will enable seniors to take doorstep of mature workers. A new they will be able to coach older workers workplace health programme will be ownership of their training and career in their respective sectors on related implemented across seven sectors needs and embrace lifelong learning. topics, such as how to plan for retirement targeting 120,000 mature workers aged or switch to a new career. 40 and above. As part of the programme, we will survey the workers to understand THE RANGE OF SKILLSFUTURE the key health issues that they face, MOH hopes to partner community INITIATIVES INCLUDES: provide health screenings at the organisations and companies to workplaces and design workplace-specific provide more bite-sized job opportunities Skills-Based Modular Courses preventive health programmes to address for seniors within the community. offered by Post-Secondary Education Institutions (PSEIs) The government will continue to • These provide more flexible, support employers to re-design jobs bite-sized and targeted learning for seniors and create age-friendly opportunities at PSEIs for working workplaces. Under WorkPro, there are adults to acquire relevant skills various grants to support employers to without necessarily pursuing a full re-design their workplace practices, qualification programme. processes and jobs. WorkPro will be extended and enhanced in 2016 to SkillsFuture Mid-Career catalyse companies’ efforts to re-design Enhanced Subsidy jobs for older workers. To build capabilities, • Since the second half of 2015, the tripartite partners are working with all Singapore Citizens aged 40 Institutes of Higher Learning to further and above enjoy higher subsidies develop a training programme specific of up to 90% of course fees for to the management of older workers Singapore Workforce Development in Singapore. The programme covers Agency-supported certifiable core topics including human resource courses. They also enjoy at least management, sociological aspects of 90% of programme cost for ageing, workplace safety and health Ministry of Education-subsidised and job re-design. In addition to building full-time and part-time courses local capabilities in age management, (Nitec to postgraduate courses) we are developing a job re-design at the Institute of Technical toolkit to provide practical guidance Education, polytechnics and to companies on re-designing jobs publicly-funded universities. for a mature workforce.

34 35 Taxi drivers get a “tune-up”

IT IS not easy being a taxi driver in The two men, however, had to take a This partnership with ComfortDelGro and kway teow and have switched from Singapore. They are on the road for different route with their lifestyle when SMRT is part of HPB’s efforts to step up kopi (coffee) with sugar and milk to now 12 hours a day or more, rain or shine, health coaches from the Health Promotion its workplace health promotion programmes, kopi-o kosong (black coffee with no dealing with passengers of all types, Board (HPB) and Alexandra Health System especially for mature workers who are not sugar). I also ask for less rice and more taking short breaks for a hurried meal visited their respective taxi service centres desk-bound, work shifts and may find it vegetables. I lost around 4.5kg; my or a trip to the toilet. By the time they as part of a new workplace health screening difficult to fit in a visit to the doctor for a trousers feel loose and my blood pressure get home, they are too exhausted to programme called “Check Car, Check Body” health check. has gone down too.” Now he encourages think about exercise or even having a which started in June 2014. While their taxis his taxi driver friends to attend the healthy meal. are being serviced, the drivers get a And the programme has garnered success. “Check Car, Check Body” programme too. “tune-up” themselves. HPB found that 50% of taxi drivers who ComfortDelGro taxi driver Lim Ah Bah had high blood pressure, blood glucose For Mr Mazlan, the hamburgers have (facing page), 65, has been plying the The programme offers taxi drivers a free or cholesterol readings at the first taken a backseat. He said: “My diet now streets of Singapore for 37 years and health screening for high blood pressure, screening and returned for the second consists mainly of fish and vegetables. confesses that indulging in his favourite high cholesterol, diabetes and obesity. health screening have shown improvement They are not my favourite, but I have to dishes like nasi briyani and char kway Health coaches stationed at the service in their screening results. They also made think of my health for the longer term.” teow makes him happy after a long day centres conduct monthly one-on-one changes to their diet and made an effort at the wheel. follow-up sessions to customise a health to exercise frequently. Since 2015, the He has shed 5kg after six months and plan for each driver. The coaches also programme has been extended to more hopes to drop a few more. “Like those SMRT taxi driver Mazlan Mohamed Ali advise them on how to prevent or manage ComfortDelGro and SMRT service centres mobile health screening buses that came (below) also faces the same problem. chronic diseases, how to put less stress around the island, reaching out to more to my school when I was younger, this The 41-year-old, who has been driving on their necks and backs while driving as than 8,800 taxi drivers. ‘Check Car, Check Body’ programme taxis for almost three years, treats well as how to deal with fatigue. A second has been a wake-up call for what we himself to his favourite meal of screening is then conducted around twelve For Mr Lim, the programme proved to be take for granted and forget to take care hamburgers, especially if he has months later to determine any improvement a great motivator. He said: “After three to of in our busy schedules… our health,” had a tough day on the road. to their health status. four months, I now go easy on the char added Mr Mazlan.

36 37 May the Mr Goh, who is now the managing SilverForce partner in a firm that offers training for management consulting skills, be with you said: “Providing such services gets the seniors out of their houses and into social spaces. It helps them learn problem-solving skills and lets them earn some pocket money. At the same time, businesses can have a local source of labour at competitive rates and this reduces the need for outsourcing.” LIFELONG subsidies. The credit will not expire. And it is a promising win-win 2 situation for some seniors. LEARNING A new National Silver Academy will be set up to provide a wide range of learning Madam Chung Len Neo may be 88, As a society, Singapore places a high but her fingers are still deft enough opportunities for seniors to learn for premium on education and training. interest and stay active. We aim to to transform newspapers into The government has invested heavily in 100 carrier bags a week. She provide some 30,000 places for senior developing a strong education and training learners eventually. The Academy will WHEN his mother struggled to find earns 15 cents a bag but chooses system for both our young and adult comprise a network of institutions such ways to spend her time meaningfully to donate her “wages” to charity. workforce. Since its establishment in 2003, as Voluntary Welfare Organisations (VWOs), after his father’s passing, an idea The sprightly widow who lives the Singapore Workforce Development Agency community organisations and PSEIs. formed in Mr Eugene Goh’s brain. alone in a two-room flat in Lengkok (WDA) and its partners have set up a network Starting in mid-2016, seniors can The 39-year-old former civil servant Bahru said: “Some may want of career centres to help Singaporeans participate in selected courses offered by thought if his mum had a hard time to earn the money but I want to with their employment and training needs, PSEIs without having to take examinations feeling productive, what about donate it.” supported many training providers to offer and only for a token fee. Seniors can also other people her age? At the same quality training for our workers, developed The newspaper carrier bags are attend short courses provided by the time, he knew that local Small and national Singapore Workforce Skills just a start. Mr Goh is exploring PSEIs as well as the Nanyang Academy Medium Enterprises (SMEs) were Qualifications (WSQ) frameworks covering ways for 2,500 seniors to be gainfully of Fine Arts, the LaSalle College of the Arts struggling with manpower issues, more than 30 industries, and set up an employed through micro-work like and non-profit community organisations given the national move to cut back Institute for Adult Learning that trains making gifts, packing wedding and VWOs such as YAH! and Society for on the reliance on foreign labour. adult educators. Our Post-Secondary novelties or labelling items by hand. WINGS, an organisation that reaches out Education Institutions (PSEIs) also offer Tapping on his experience as a to women aged 40 and above. Short Ministry of Education-subsidised part-time courses offered under the Academy former management consultant, he courses to working adults seeking to became a matchmaker... of sorts. will be subsidised by the government. upgrade their skills. SkillsFuture will further Seniors will also be able to use their In late 2014, he set up SilverForce, drive national efforts to encourage lifelong a social enterprise that matches SkillsFuture Credit for selected Academy learning and to help every Singaporean courses which are skills-related SMEs with senior citizens who can develop skills mastery for the future. provide a service while working from the second quarter of 2016. from their homes or activity centres. The Council for Third Age aims to reach Going forward, we will create more out to a total of 100 schools and VWOs For example, he convinced opportunities for Singaporeans to to come on board the Intergenerational Bollywood Veggies, an organic continue to enrich their silver years Learning Programme (ILP). Organised farm in Kranji, to buy newspaper through the pursuit of lifelong learning. carrier bags made by the seniors by students, the ILP pairs students with at NTUC Health’s SilverAce Senior senior learners to learn about various SkillsFuture Credit Activity Centre. topics such as IT, social media and In January 2016, every Singapore Citizen photography. The ILP serves as a platform aged 25 and above received an initial for seniors to pursue lifelong learning and credit of $500 which they can use to pay helps strengthen inter-generational ties for about 10,000 approved skills-related through the sharing of knowledge and courses, on top of existing government experiences between the young and the old.

38 39 70 and working on his fourth degree... and he is not done yet

SENIOR community organisations better 3 recruit and develop senior volunteers. VOLUNTEERISM The fund will be established through public donations, with a dollar-to-dollar We have started a national senior match by the government, capped volunteerism movement so that at $20 million. seniors can contribute their talents and experience. We aim to recruit an NVPC has been reaching out to Currently in his third year at UniSIM, additional 50,000 senior volunteers. businesses in its efforts to promote Mr Lee is not fazed that he is corporate giving in Singapore. attending classes with students NVPC will encourage businesses to who are his children’s age. The President’s Challenge will rally some 10,000 older employees continue to champion a national to be involved in corporate giving He said: “Before I started the course, or volunteerism opportunities. I was a little anxious and shy as senior volunteerism movement. 95% of the cohort is made up of The National Volunteer and Philanthropy youngsters. But they have taken Centre (NVPC) has also introduced NVPC has launched the Giving.sg to me and they are always asking a new senior category in the annual portal to help individuals locate me to team up with them for class President’s Volunteerism and volunteer opportunities. Seniors HE HAS a bachelor’s degree in discussions and projects.” Philanthropy Awards, to provide can use this portal to search for management, an MBA, a DBA national recognition to exemplary volunteer opportunities based on (Doctorate in Business Administration) He thinks he learns from them senior volunteers. their interest, skills, availability and now, at 70, Mr Lee Chee Ngauk as much as they learn from him. or preferred volunteering location. is two years away from getting his “There is a lot of mutual learning A Silver Volunteer Fund with a target The portal will facilitate an easier and degree in accountancy. between us. It makes things size of $40 million will be set up to help more meaningful giving experience. very lively.” “Since I was young, I knew I wanted to be an all-rounder, to know different Mr Lee doesn’t plan to stop with this things. As I run a management and accountancy degree. He’s already got consultancy business, there is an even his mind set on the next one, in law. greater need to be multi-disciplinary,” he added. He said: “The more I know of one subject, the less I know of other In 2013, Mr Lee signed up at UniSIM topics. The law is required in for a degree in accountancy. “What anything we do, so it’s important I have studied so far is related to that I understand it. Once I graduate business. I needed the accounting with that degree, what I really hope know-how to better serve my clients,” to do is pro bono work and give he explained. back to society.”

40 41 The rainbow kuih lapis I feel younger... that helped build when I help people Jamiyah Singapore to be happy

Jamiyah Singapore, remains the advisor to the society’s Women and Family Department. She organises charity carnivals, develops women’s programmes and even opens her home to people of different races and religions for major occasions. She also rolls up the sleeves of her baju kurung and cooks up a feast when required, often encouraging other women to join her. In 2015, she helped volunteers pack 10,000 packets of briyani to feed those who attended Jamiyah’s annual religious and cultural event Maulidur WHEN Madam Hajjah Zainab Khamis Rasul Jamiyah. (holding book) started volunteering 45 years ago, she had no idea her Jamiyah’s vice-president Dr H.M. baking skills would have such an impact Saleem knows the value of a veteran Mr Albert Louis, 65 on Jamiyah Singapore (the Muslim volunteer like Madam Zainab. He said: Active senior and drum expert Missionary Society of Singapore). “When we call, volunteers hesitate to Her weekly cooking classes and her come. But when she calls, they come. I HAVE been playing the drums for the seniors especially those with rainbow kuih lapis raised much needed They respect her.” funds for the organisation founded in “ over 50 years... and I am convinced dementia, Parkinson’s disease or 1932 to help the Muslim community. As for Madam Zainab, her decades of they have the power to heal. When those who have a disability. I have cooking and baking for Jamiyah have I gave up a successful career in seen how playing the drums can It all began in 1970 when her husband, been worth it. “Jamiyah and the music — I was very tired of touring improve their coordination and, the late Haji Abu Bakar Maidin, community are one family and that is all the time — I wanted to devote more importantly, restore their became the president of Jamiyah very precious to me. I will sacrifice myself to volunteering with children, self-esteem and confidence. Singapore. With only $5.60 in its kitty what I can for the good of the the elderly and the mentally ill. I am also living proof that one is and 190 members, the society community. I will continue to serve I wanted to stay creative and yet never too old to learn. At 65, after embarked on a fund-raising effort for as long as I can,” she said. as well as a membership recruitment use drumming as a means to years of playing so many kinds of drive. The aim was to rebuild its touch other people’s lives. After all, percussion instruments — from the Malay kompang to the Western headquarters in Geylang and I had co-founded two successful drums, Chinese cymbals, Indian fund its welfare programmes. local bands — Culture Shock and Culture Vulture — in the 1980s and tabla and Korean janggu — I recently Madam Zainab chipped in by holding 1990s. I even toured for two years picked up yet another instrument cooking classes which became hugely as a percussionist with Mando-pop called the Noodle, an electric popular among the women in the artiste A-Mei in the late 1990s. I was percussion instrument that looks community and her now-famous rainbow paid very well but, after a while, it all like a flat noodle. If I can do it, kuih lapis (rainbow steamed layer cake) became a job. so can other seniors. We need to sold like... hot cakes. believe that we are just as good as Now, when I see people play the a younger person. And we can and Now a sprightly 80, Madam Zainab, drums, I can sense they are happy. do want to lead meaningful lives. or Mak Nab as she is known around I hope to bring this happiness to We need to be given the chance. ”

42 43 Going forward, the Ministry of Health will launch a new National Senior’s Health Programme to systematically promote health education and preventive health services for older adults. The national programme will seek to educate seniors on key health issues related to age, encourage seniors to adopt healthy living habits and bring preventive health services to their doorsteps. We target to reach over 400,000 older adults.

Some of the new initiatives seniors can look forward to are:

A public education programme NATIONAL SENIORS’ on dementia to raise awareness about 4 HEALTH PROGRAMME the condition so caregivers can seek help early if they identify signs in their Over the past few years, several The CFSP comprises a series of tests and care recipients. organisations have introduced programmes questionnaires that cover the following A falls prevention education programme to promote health and wellness among areas: continence, mood, physical function, to equip seniors with self-assessment our seniors. In 2008, the People’s oral health, hearing and vision. In 2013, the tools, tips to reduce the risk of falls, Association introduced the Wellness Agency for Integrated Care started working and community-based interventions. Programme which encouraged older with community-based organisations to set persons to go for regular health screening up Community Resource, Engagement A set of strength and balance for chronic diseases as well as to remain and Support Teams (CREST) to reach out exercises suitable for seniors of physically and socially active through to seniors who may be at risk of dementia different physical abilities to activities such as brisk walking and Tai Chi. or depression. CREST teams educate the encourage all seniors to exercise. The programme has since been implemented public on the possible signs of dementia island-wide. In 2010, HPB introduced and depression, to raise greater awareness Practical healthy eating tips for seniors. the Community Functional Screening about these conditions so that more timely A health booklet to help seniors keep Programme (CFSP) to detect early signs support and intervention can be provided track of their health status, including of functional decline in seniors aged 60 and to individuals at risk of or with dementia/ screening results and vaccination records. above, so that they can go for appropriate depression. Currently, there are 10 CREST treatment and make lifestyle changes to teams in the community which have reached Mobile health services to take preventive remain independent and active. out to more than 32,000 seniors island-wide. health services to the doorstep of seniors in their communities. A pilot community dental programme to improve the oral health of seniors in the community.

44 45 Next come the practical assessments. Ready, get set, go!

SOME seniors think that as long as they exercise, their risk of falling is low. But the truth is that other factors like poor sight and hearing, medication and even insomnia can also add to the risk. To assess the fall risk of seniors and to Madam Seah tests her grip educate them before accidents happen, strength as poor grip strength The Forward Reach Test assesses The Chair Stand Test gauges Alexandra Health System has started 1 could suggest frailty. her ability to reach forward without her lower limb strength – she a falls assessment programme that 4 losing her balance. 5 has to get up from a sitting screens residents living in the North of position and sit down again, Singapore either through walk-ins to the all the time with her arms Community Nurse Posts such as the folded across her chest. Wellness Centre @ Nee Soon South and Chong Pang Social Service Hub or public call-ins for appointments. The session gives the nurse a chance to assess the senior’s risk of falling and share with them the things they could do to lower it. Madam Grace Seah, 70, thought she would give it a try as she had been feeling unsteady on her feet. She thought it might be because of her She clicks on the mouse each weak knees or insomnia. time the giant button on 2 screen lights up. Normal The test starts with a nurse taking reaction time indicates good readings of Madam Seah’s blood eye-mind-hand coordination. pressure and weight, and assessing her vision and health condition of her feet. This is followed by questions about her health and fall history. Next, a series of tests to check Madam Seah’s strength, reflexes and visual acuity.

Madam Seah found the assessment useful. She said: “All along I thought it was my knees that were giving me problems because I can’t squat easily and when I do, I find it hard to get up. But now that the nurse says it To test her contrast sensitivity, could be my back because that’s Madam Seah has to match the where I’m experiencing pain, I might 3 symbol she sees. Poor contrast The Timed Up and Go Test measures Madam Seah’s ability and time taken want to schedule some physiotherapy sensitivity would make driving to stand, walk three metres, turn around at the cone, walk back and sit appointments to learn the right way to or climbing the stairs in dim 6 down safely. No sweat at all! exercise my back.” conditions difficult.

46 47 better support ageing-in-place. The severe intermediate and long-term care patients disability insurance scheme ElderShield in 2015. These recent steps to improve the provides a fixed-term monthly cash payout affordability of long-term care have assuaged of $300 or $400 for up to 60 or 72 months anxieties and reduced financial burdens. respectively to help defray out-of-pocket expenses for the severely disabled. To recognise the contributions of our Pioneers and give them peace of mind on healthcare costs, the government also introduced the The $10 million Seniors’ Mobility Fund Pioneer Generation Package in 2014. was expanded into a $50 million Seniors’ Pioneers receive additional subsidies on Mobility and Enabling Fund in 2013 to top of subsidies at polyclinics and Specialist help seniors live independently within the Outpatient Clinics, and participating General community, through subsidies for assistive Practitioner and dental clinics under the devices such as walking aids, wheelchairs, Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS). geriatric chairs and hospital beds, transport Pioneers also receive annual Medisave to eldercare and dialysis centres funded top-ups for life and special premium subsidies RETIREMENT two-thirds of households. Subsidies by the Ministry of Health (MOH) and home for MediShield Life. Under the Pioneer 5 for home-and community-based healthcare items such as catheters and Generation Disability Assistance Scheme, ADEQUACY services such as day care for seniors milk supplements. Drug subsidies were also disabled Pioneers receive life-long cash Seniors want to feel assured that they can afford were also increased to up to 80% to progressively extended to MOH-subsidised assistance to help with their care expenses. their living expenses, healthcare and long-term care needs, after they retire.

The (CPF) is a key pillar supporting the retirement needs of our population. To enable Singaporeans to save more for their own retirement, the government has been rebalancing the CPF system towards retirement and healthcare needs. In view of longer life expectancy, a national annuity scheme CPF LIFE was introduced in 2009 to provide a steady stream of income for life when Singaporeans reach their age at which they can start receiving their CPF LIFE payouts. To provide added retirement income, the Ministry of National Development (MND) has further enhanced the and Silver Housing Bonus to provide greater flexibility to suit different needs and allow more elderly households to unlock their housing equity.

Seniors with healthcare needs can benefit from enhanced subsidies and expanded Medisave use for outpatient care. Premium subsidies for MediShield Life are available to seniors from lower and middle income households. Finally, for those who still cannot afford care, there is Medifund, a government endowment fund to ensure no Singaporean is denied good basic medical care because of the inability to pay. In November 2007, Medifund Silver was launched to deliver targeted assistance to needy elderly Singaporean patients.

For seniors who require long-term care, subsidy coverage was expanded in 2012 to cover up to

48 49 Singaporeans now have more approaching 55 years of age to flexibility over their CPF savings. make informed decisions about Singaporeans can choose to transfer their CPF savings. their CPF balances above their Basic Retirement Sum to their spouses so The Ministry of Health will review they can take full advantage of the the financing system for long-term extra interest on lower balances and care, to give Singaporeans greater enjoy a higher effective rate overall. assurance that they will be able They will also be given a choice to afford aged care services for to defer their CPF LIFE payout up themselves or their loved ones, to the age of 70, or top-up their should they need it. The review will Retirement Accounts up to the consider how to balance the affordability Enhanced Retirement Sum, to enjoy of long-term care with the need to ensure longer-term sustainability of permanently higher payouts. our national expenditure on care. It will Furthermore, CPF members will consider factors such as how much of only need to choose their CPF LIFE the costs of aged care should be borne plans at the time they wish to start by individuals and their families and how Going forward, we want to provide to accumulate a higher level of CPF receiving payouts. A one-to-one much should be risk-pooled, and how Singaporeans with greater peace of mind. savings during their working years retirement planning service has to help Singaporeans save for long-term for their retirement needs. also been introduced to help members care needs when they are younger. The new Silver Support Scheme supplements the incomes of the bottom 20% to 30% of Singaporeans aged 65 and above, who have lesser means in their retirement years. Silver Support is a permanent feature in our social security system. The assessment for Silver Support eligibility is done automatically, so there is no need for any application. Silver Support is paid out quarterly, with eligible seniors receiving between $300 and $750 per quarter. All seniors who qualify for Silver Support will receive these supplements for life, as long as they remain eligible.

Singaporeans aged 55 and above enjoy an additional 1% of CPF interest on the first $30,000 of their CPF balances from 2016. This means they can enjoy a higher risk-free interest rate of up to 6%.

CPF contribution rates for older workers have increased to help Singaporeans save more while working. From 2016, workers aged 50 to 55 enjoy the same CPF contribution rates as their younger counterparts.

CPF monthly salary ceiling has increased from $5,000 to $6,000 from 2016. This will enable more Singaporeans

50 51 CHAPTER 4 KAMPONG FOR ALL AGES

Cohesive home with inter-generational harmony. Singapore must be a cohesive community where seniors can age actively and happily. We should try to ensure that our seniors do not feel lonely or become socially isolated.

52 53 Expand the network of social services The Ministry of Health (MOH) piloted DEVELOP “COMMUNITIES OF CARE” to support low-income and vulnerable a community befriending programme 1 seniors. In 2014, the Ministry of Social and in October 2014 in , TO HELP SENIORS AGE-IN-PLACE Family Development (MSF) organised its Bukit Batok East and Taman . As family sizes shrink, family support and promote health education, senior community-based social services into The befrienders, who live in the same for seniors may weaken. The number of learning and volunteerism under the Senior Cluster Networks (SCN) within neighbourhood as the seniors they seniors living alone is likely to increase Wellness Programme, so that we can each Housing & Development Board town befriend, call and visit these seniors at from 35,000 in 2012 to 83,000 in 2030. eventually have a wellness hub to better reach out to and support vulnerable least twice a month. During each visit, However, we can complement family in every mature neighbourhood. seniors to stay engaged in the community the befriender is trained to spot any support with community support. We can and receive coordinated care. Each town is change in the seniors’ mood, physical supported by a range of services comprising condition or living environment. If the create more opportunities for friendship The Wellness Programme will be Senior Activity Centres, case management seniors need help, the befriender then and mutual support among seniors and implemented at suitable community teams, assisted living options and volunteers informs the care provider who will decide their neighbours in the community. facilities for seniors to interact, make to cater to the varying needs of low-income the next relevant step. friends, attend health talks and exercise seniors with varying degrees of frailty The People’s Association will classes. The community facilities will Going forward, MOH wants to work with and family support. MSF targets to set leverage on its community facilities also serve as health services delivery various Voluntary Welfare and grassroots up 19 SCNs island-wide. and network to deliver health services points for health screening. organisations to recruit volunteers in Expand home visitation programmes at least 50 neighbourhoods who can in at least 50 neighbourhoods to keep befriend seniors living alone in their social isolation and poor health at bay. communities and provide social support.

54 55 I feel younger... I feel younger… when I am with when I help seniors my RC friends in the community

Madam Chew Siam Hiang, 68 (above) Retiree

I AM very happy in my neighbourhood BP was too high, about 150 to 160 Madam Rosemary Lee, 70 (above) “ as there are always plenty of events and I must take medicine. So I went Retired nurse and programmes organised by the back to the doctor to change it. Sunflower RC (Residents’ Committee). HAVING devoted five decades to reserved, but once you earn his There is always something happening My BP is now under control and the healthcare as a mental health nurse, trust, he opens up. We reminisce at the RC like folk dancing or walk- new medicine does not make me “ I was ready to retire to focus on my about the old days… he talks about and-jog events. I especially like the feel giddy. When Nurse Tan comes health and life. While chatting with the time he used to sell rojak, health talks and the exercise classes each week, she always checks on me my neighbour who is a member of Hokkien mee, Teochew muay like aerobics — I cannot walk very and my husband, and gives me advice the Residents’ Committee (RC), (Teochew porridge) and char kway well, so I sit down and do the moves about my cholesterol and diet. That I found out about the ‘befrienders teow at hawker centres. His memory — or I join the balloon art class or makes me happy. There are many old programme’ in my neighbourhood is actually still very good. He still sometimes they have a first aid class. people in my area, so it’s good to have the nurse come once a week. and immediately decided to help in remembers the name of his Teochew whatever way I could. muay stall... Peng You (Friends). When there is a big event, many residents will come to volunteer Apart from the nurse’s visit, there I checked with the RC which Having spent time with Mr Teo, their time. My RC even started a are also the volunteers from the coordinated the programme and I now understand how important it is Nurse@RC programme so the old Eastern Health Alliance who make they put me in touch with the to engage seniors in our community. folks in the area can go for a friends with all the seniors and they Eastern Health Alliance which linked After all, I am one too. At 70, I know check-up at the RC Centre at also make sure we are okay. And me up with 83-year-old Mr Teo Eng I may not be as agile as I used to be Blk 33 Bedok South Avenue 2. because I have friends there, I keep in my younger days, but I can still up with my exercise. I feel happy and Swee in April 2015. He had been Having the nurse come to the RC contribute to our society. And, you young. Before I couldn’t walk and admitted to hospital thrice in the once a week is very good. Once, last couple of years, the latest being know what, I don’t feel so old when I stopped taking my blood pressure needed my husband to push me in the in March 2013 following a fall, and I am useful and appreciated. (BP) medicine because it made me wheelchair. Now I can walk, slowly, to needed volunteers to check in on feel giddy. The nurse, Miss Tan the RC on my own. It makes me happy I hope more people my age or (Tan Kai Xin from Caring Hearts that I don’t need to rely on anyone him. When I visit him every fortnight 10 years younger than me will Nursing), insisted I see the doctor to get me there. I can do it myself. in his two-room rental flat, we spend come forward to volunteer; to change my medicine. She said my ” most of the time chatting. He’s quite it will do us good to help others. ”

56 57 PROMOTE ENCOURAGE LOVE AND 2 INTER-GENERATIONAL HARMONY 3 RESPECT FOR SENIORS The Housing & Development Board (HDB) Families buying a resale HDB flat with In 2015, the Ministerial Committee on Ageing A “PAssion Silver” Card will be has introduced a number of policies to or near their parents or married child partnered some 100 organisations to offer a issued to every Singaporean encourage Singaporeans to live close to receive a PHG of $20,000. Singles buying suite of discounts and privileges for seniors aged 60 and above or as they and support their elderly parents: the a resale flat to live with their parents also in conjunction with our Golden Jubilee. The turn 60 years old. This will serve Multi-Generation Priority Scheme get a $10,000 grant. SG50 Seniors package included over 200 as a clear age identifier for the people, encourages families to live close to each dining, leisure, lifelong learning, lifestyle and public and private sectors to offer HDB, the Ministry of Health (MOH) other in the same Build-To-Order projects wellness privileges which were made possible privileges to our seniors in honour and the Early Childhood Development where 2-room Flexi or 3-room flats are with the support of public and private sector of them. The People’s Association Agency (ECDA) will plan for eldercare integrated with other flat types; the Married entities including Tote Board and the Singapore will work with its community, Child Priority Scheme encourages married and childcare facilities to be co-located Business Federation (SBF). corporate and merchant partners, children and parents to reside together, in some 10 new HDB housing while SBF will encourage businesses or within the same estate or neighbouring developments. By co-locating the We want to rally more organisations to come and trade associations and chambers estates to foster mutual care and strengthen facilities and experimenting with shared together and create a more inclusive and to support this initiative. The PAssion familial ties; and the Senior Priority Scheme spaces, we can create more opportunities caring environment for our seniors. Silver Card will be launched in mid-2016. gives priority to eligible seniors to buy 2-room for inter-generational bonding. MOH will Flexi flats in the same estate or near where also encourage existing operators of they or their married children are living in. eldercare facilities to introduce innovative programmes that allow the young and old to interact. More effort will be made to foster a cohesive society and strengthen Students will learn more about issues inter-generational harmony: related to ageing as part of the school curriculum. The Ministry of Education A new Proximity Housing Grant (PHG) will incorporate issues related to ageing has been introduced to encourage into our national school curriculum to Singaporean families to live closer instil in our young the importance of together for mutual care and support. care and respect for seniors.

58 59 FUTURE-READY LEGISLATION TO PREPARE FOR SINGAPORE’S 4 AGEING POPULATION Today, there are two main Acts to protect vulnerable elderly. The Maintenance of Parents Act allows seniors who are unable to maintain themselves financially to obtain maintenance from their children. The Mental Capacity Act enables 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.

The government is looking into introducing a new Vulnerable Adults Act. This will enable the State to intervene more effectively to protect vulnerable seniors and persons with disabilities who are suffering or at risk of harm due to abuse, neglect or self-neglect.

60 6161 CHAPTER 5 CITY FOR ALL AGES

Live well and age confidently in place. We want to transform Singapore into an age-friendly city where Singaporeans can age-in-place gracefully and confidently.

62 63 THE Seniors with more than one disease MOH will transform healthcare 1 service delivery in the following ways: condition may need to make multiple HEALTHCARE SYSTEM visits to different clinics. We need to The demographic challenge to the healthcare MOH is building new polyclinics in reduce the number of doctors they need Enhance geriatric capability system is two-fold. First, demand for healthcare , Punggol and Bukit Panjang to consult and focus on treating the in acute hospitals services will increase with an ageing population. as well as a primary care facility in person as a whole and not the diseases • MOH will set up more inter-disciplinary Second, the supply of healthcare services will Sembawang. It is also redeveloping the in isolation. Geriatric Care Teams (comprising doctors, be constrained by low labour force growth. existing Ang Mo Kio and Yishun polyclinics, all by 2020, to increase capacity in the allied health professionals and nurses) The government has put in place a Healthcare From hospital care to community care primary care sector. to provide holistic care for frail seniors. 2020 Masterplan to expand our healthcare We need to build good models of care • MOH will train more Geriatric Resource infrastructure to address growing healthcare Healthcare has become more affordable in the community, so seniors can be well needs. The Ministry of Health (MOH) is on Nurses to advise care teams in adult with the introduction of CHAS; expansion supported where they stay, no matter track to meet its Healthcare 2020 commitments, wards on how to better care for very of Medisave use; enhancements to the their health condition. with the completion of the Changi General old patients. subsidies for outpatient treatment and Hospital-St Andrew’s Community Hospital aged care; and the implementation of • More healthcare professionals will Integrated Building (2014) and the Ng Teng From caring “for” to caring MediShield Life. be trained to care for seniors’ needs. Fong General Hospital, Jurong Community “with” our patients Hospital and Yishun Community Hospital Going forward, MOH will shift the way it We need to help Singaporeans prepare (2015). Going forward, MOH will open Pilot community-based geriatric services organises care in a few ways so that the for a long and healthy life. This includes General and Community Hospitals to bring care closer to older Singaporeans healthcare delivery system will be better understanding the motivation of seniors (2018), and a new Community Hospital in in the community. A multi-disciplinary team and more appropriate for older patients: Outram (by 2020). Altogether MOH will and their caregivers and empowering of healthcare professionals will provide increase the number of acute and community them with the knowledge and skills to geriatric assessments, develop care plans hospital beds, from 8,700 beds in 2014 to From disease-specific, fragmented take charge and manage their own and deliver team-based coordinated care for over 12,000 beds in 2020. care to person-centric care health well. seniors to keep them well in the community.

64 65 • MOH will work with providers to develop more holistic “packages” of home and From 13 the primary care team case manager community care to meet the needs of were able to keep her out of the hospital seniors. For example, seniors can be specialists several times when she had fluid in her cared for partially at home and partially lungs due to her weak heart. “There were at day centres during the week and be to one GP other times when she developed a chest provided with a more comprehensive infection and consulted me first. I was able suite of care services. to treat her before the infection worsened,” said Dr Koh. • MOH will introduce new aged care sector initiatives to support the A seamless exchange of patients’ medical sector’s efforts in quality improvement, information between the GP and the manpower and organisation development, specialists is crucial. He said: “If GPs and productivity. don’t have full view of a patient’s medical history, they are more likely to send them Develop Geriatric Dental Expertise and Ramp up manpower development to to the Accident and Emergency (A&E) Services to improve the oral health of ensure there will be enough staff department for further management when our senior population. to support the expansion in aged care. they deteriorate.” • With new dental facilities such as the The high quality, personalised care that Geriatric Special Care Dentistry Clinic • MOH will step up the recruitment of 88-YEAR-OLD Madam Ang Hwea Kee doctors like Dr Koh provide, helps them at the National Dental Centre Singapore Singaporeans into the aged care had a doctor for most of her chronic build a strong rapport with patients and and the National University Centre sector through job fairs, training and conditions; a cardiologist, caregivers. “It is not only about treating for Oral Health, we will train healthcare retention incentives. rheumatologist, ophthalmologist the patients’ medical conditions but also professionals to better serve seniors and respiratory physician. In one year, understanding their social background and undertake more research in • MOH will work with aged care providers she had 13 specialist appointments and needs,” explained Dr Koh. For disease trends in geriatric dentistry. to re-design more jobs so as to offer and took about 16 different types of example, knowing Madam Ang’s daughter Singaporeans more flexible work medicines. She and her family had had Tuesdays off from work helped the Further expand the capacity of arrangements in the aged care sector. trouble keeping track of the appointments care team organise Madam Ang’s medical intermediate and long-term care We will also help aged care providers and the progress of each condition. As appointments accordingly. services between 2015 and 2020. to increase manpower productivity a result, she was admitted twice to the through automation, adoption of This integrated team-based care model hospital, staying a total of 13 days. • More than double the number of technology and improvement of is still being refined to help patients Community Hospital beds. business processes. Her cardiologist then referred her to with multiple medical conditions. • Increase nursing home capacity the Frontier Family Medicine Clinic Expand community support for seniors Dr Koh said: “The overall improvement by more than 70%. (Frontier FMC) in Clementi to manage with dementia. MOH will reach out to in patients’ and caregivers’ satisfaction her heart condition. The FMC was • Increase home and community residents, businesses and community by having a regular family physician, set up in 2013 as part of an initiative care capacity by 50% and organisations in different localities to form a primary care team to manage all 100% respectively. by the Frontier Healthcare Group and “dementia-friendly communities”, where their medical needs, with the hospital National University Health System residents and staff of businesses can be specialists’ support, is undeniable. to better manage patients with stable Implement a new Masterplan on trained to recognise and assist seniors This warrants a further look at how and complex chronic conditions. Home and Community Care to better with dementia who are in distress. This we should continually innovate the Eventually, most of Madam Ang’s support seniors to age-in-place. will give peace of mind to seniors and way we deliver care.” medical conditions came under the their caregivers. Seniors with dementia family physician’s care with close Madam Ang’s daughter, Ms Pauline Lim, • A new care assessment framework can remain active and move around in the support from the hospital’s specialists. is happy that her mum is under the FMC’s will be piloted to better evaluate community with less worry, because there seniors’ needs so as to match them will be helpful “friends of dementia” in their As part of the partnership, the family care. She said: “Dr Koh is very warm and to appropriate services. neighbourhoods to look out for them. physicans have access to the patients’ patient towards my mum. He or his team medical records at the National University contact me when her condition isn’t good. Hospital. With access to Madam Ang’s I am glad I let my mum come under their medical records, Dr Koh Thuan Wee and care in 2013.”

66 67 A home-like environment

Enhance dementia care support care to the homes of seniors while at home and in the community. making the delivery of healthcare more manpower efficient. • The Agency for Integrated Care targets to expand the pool of elder-sitters from Enhance the capacity, affordability and 90 to 160 by 2020. These elder-sitters quality of palliative care to support an can visit the homes of seniors with ageing population. dementia to look after them and engage AN UPCOMING nursing home in to this group, Ren Ci will test new them in activities, while giving their Ang Mo Kio has been designed to short-stay services at this facility. • MOH will increase the number of caregivers a break. feel more home-like compared to existing The services will support seniors waiting inpatient palliative care beds from nursing homes (artist impression above for care arrangements to be made at • MOH also targets to increase the number 182 to 360 by 2020, and serve 1,000 and below right). Visitors to the residential home or who require some assistance of dementia day care places from 650 more home palliative care patients. facility which is scheduled for completion while their conditions are being stabilised to 3,000. in 2017 will be greeted by an apartment after a hospital discharge. • The Singapore Hospice Council will style set-up that encourages residents promote and implement a set of to live independently, like in their own Ms Loh Shu Ching, CEO of Ren Ci Pilot new “Nursing Homes of the Future”. National Guidelines for Palliative Care. homes. The facility has been designed Hospital said: “We want residents to feel that they are at home and not in • MOH will experiment with new • MOH has raised the Medisave with a common dining and activity area a hospital. We also want them to lead nursing home designs to create withdrawal limits for both inpatient serving a smaller group of seniors who independent, dignified lives regardless more dementia-friendly wards, and home-based palliative care, share the same living “cluster”. For those of their functional status. In addition, we as well as a homelier environment and lifted Medisave withdrawal limits who prefer to have some private time, feel a nursing home should be integrated without compromising the affordability for home-based patients with cancer cosy corners will be scattered about with the neighbourhood and serve the of care. New technologies will be tested or end-stage organ failure. where residents can read, nap or just needs of the community as much as the in these homes to improve productivity. watch the world go by. Adding to the • MOH has improved funding for home tranquillity is a garden that also gives residents of the home. Hence the creation • MOH will work with nursing home palliative care providers by moving residents with green fingers a chance of a household unit layout and a nursing providers to pilot new programmes away from funding based on the to potter about. home without a fence.” to rehabilitate residents so that they number of visits made to patients can recuperate faster and return home to funding based on a fixed amount Building the facility this way affords to their loved ones. for every patient under their care some degree of privacy yet promotes each month. social interactions among the residents. It also encourages residents to go about Test bed tele-health solutions • MOH is also in the midst of rolling their daily activities with as little help to better care for older patients. out subsidies for day hospice services, as possible. This will help them adjust MOH will test technologies, such as which brings together social and more quickly to life back home when video consultation, tele-rehab and healthcare services for patients they recover and return home. To cater remote vital signs monitoring, to bring under palliative care.

68 69 Going forward, new initiatives are being planned to make our public housing heartlands more senior-friendly:

HDB and the Ministry of Health (MOH) will create “Continuing Care Precincts” in new housing developments. In certain new public housing precincts, we are experimenting with the co-location of nursing homes and assisted living facilities with HDB flats in the same precinct, so that there is a “continuum” of options, from independent living to assisted living to residential nursing facilities, in the same precinct. The first two pilot projects are in Woodlands and Tampines North SENIOR-FRIENDLY (artist impression of the new nursing home 2 HOUSING at Tampines North, below). The Housing & Development Board (HDB) has HDB blocks built before 1990 did not have been making continuous efforts in a number lift access at every floor. The heavily subsidised of areas, to help our seniors age well. In 2013, changed that. HDB introduced the Three-Generation, or Since 2001, about 5,000 blocks have been 3Gen, flats to encourage members of fitted with new lifts and/or have had their multi-generation families to live together for existing lifts upgraded. The Enhancement mutual care and support. Recently, in 2015, for Active Seniors (EASE) programme was HDB replaced and merged Studio Apartments introduced in 2012 to provide highly subsidised and 2-room flats under the2-room Flexi Scheme, retrofit features such as grab bars, slip-resistant HDB will build “smarter” homes for which allows seniors to purchase 2-room Flexi treatment to existing bathroom tiles and seniors. HDB is working with industry flats with flexibility in the choice of lease length gentle ramps to make seniors’ HDB flats safer. partners to explore suitable elderly and fittings. Since its launch, HDB has received more MOH has planned another 40 day centres monitoring and alert systems to than 26,9005 applications for EASE (Direct for seniors by 2020 to provide integrated monitor the safety and well-being of HDB has also introduced a number of hardware Application) and about 43,0006 households health and social care services to seniors. elderly HDB residents. These smart About a quarter of these centres will be enhancements over the years. Since 1985, have opted for EASE together with the Home alert systems will be available for large “Active Ageing Hubs (AAH)” in HDB HDB made barrier-free design provisions at Improvement Programme which addresses residents’ subscription when the developments that will provide both active common maintenance issues that older flats details are finalised. all levels of the neighbourhood, precinct and ageing programmes for active and ambulant apartment blocks in its public housing towns. face, such as spalling concrete. seniors, as well as day care, day rehabilitation and assisted living services (such as MOH and the Ministry of housekeeping and grocery-shopping) for National Development will promote seniors who are frailer. These hubs can senior-friendly towns. Mature also be the venues for social and learning towns can be made safer and more activities for all ages (artist impression of senior-friendly in a number of ways, the interior of an AAH, below). such as via the smoothening of pathways, installation of more rest stops, replacement of metal drain covers with less slippery concrete ones and heightening of colour contrasts for uneven surfaces.

5 As at 31 Oct 2015. 6 As at 31 Oct 2015.

70 71 Making Marine Parade more senior-friendly

MARINE Parade was one of the earliest towns to be upgraded under the City For All Ages (CFAA) project. The vision of CFAA was to make each town more senior-friendly not just in terms of the infrastructure, but also in terms of better social programming to support seniors to age healthily, independently and confidently. Four years on, we take a look at the changes through the eyes of veteran grassroots leader Mr William Fletcher (below) who has lived in Marine Parade for the past three decades. At some junctions, the Green Man Plus Concrete slabs have also been placed over facility has been installed to give seniors drains, making it safer for elderly pedestrians. more time to cross the road. Seniors just have to tap their senior concession EZ-link card on the device to get 6 extra seconds.

Void deck aprons which have been levelled, with additional handrails for support.

Mr Fletcher points out prominent block numbers. More benches with arm rests have been installed so seniors can sit down and stand up easily.

72 73 SENIOR-FRIENDLY (Above) Silver Zone Gateway at with 40km/h speed limit (Above) ‘LOOK’ markings painted 3 and yellow rumble strips to alert motorists to slow down. at road side ramps to remind TRANSPORT pedestrians to look out for traffic. The Public Transport Council and the Walking A special pedestrian refuge is also Land Transport Authority (LTA) have been installed in the middle of the road LTA will: introducing measures to make it more for pedestrians to cross the road affordable and convenient for seniors to safely in two stages. Tactile tiles Silver Zones: Implement 35 Silver Zones7 move around via public transport. enable visually-disabled persons by 2020 to improve road safety in areas to better navigate the roads safely. with more seniors. Senior Citizen Concession Cardholders enjoy concessionary fares with significant Green Man Plus: Double the number of discounts off adult fares of up to 60%. such traffic lights from the current 500 Seniors can also purchase a Senior Citizen to 1,000 by end-2018, to extend crossing Buses Monthly Concession Pass that allows them times at traffic junctions for seniors unlimited travel on basic bus services and and persons with disabilities. LTA will: trains for one month. Since July 2015, Wheelchair-friendly buses: Replace all Priority queue at bus interchanges: seniors can also choose to purchase an Railings: Install them at selected sheltered buses with wheelchair-accessible ones Implement priority queues at all new bus Off-Peak Pass for unlimited basic bus and link-ways between MRT stations and health by 2020. interchanges and integrated transport train rides if they travel more during the institutions or residential homes for seniors, hubs. Seniors and persons with disabilities off-peak hours. These schemes are to provide seniors with greater support Foldable seats on buses: Introduce will be able to sit at dedicated areas while customised to lower the cost of travelling and improve safety. on public transport for seniors. foldable seats in new buses to increase waiting for buses. flexible seating capacity. Overhead bridges: Install lifts at another Bus stops: Increase the size of the words LTA will be implementing a comprehensive 41 pedestrian overhead bridges by 2018, on bus information posters at bus stops plan to make our transport system in addition to the existing six. LTA will Bus sensors: Install sensors on new island-wide where feasible, to make them senior-friendly. LTA conducted consultation continue to retrofit lifts at more overhead buses to record driving patterns to easier to read. LTA will also replace existing sessions with seniors to hear about the bridges near hospitals and polyclinics. ensure a safer journey for the seniors. bum-rests at bus and taxi shelters with challenges that they face in using the This will make it easier for seniors to proper seats that come with armrests, public transport system, and also to gather cross roads where pedestrian crossings Direct buses: Introduce more bus which will aid seniors in standing up from feedback on prototypes of senior-friendly are not feasible. services to enhance connectivity a sitting position. features. These suggestions and feedback within mature estates as well as were important in helping the LTA formulate Rest stops: Build seats at 50-metre between mature estates and hospitals, a suite of measures to ensure that seniors intervals along selected sheltered walkways, as many seniors have shared that No advertisements on bus fronts: can get around Singapore in a convenient, so that seniors can rest while walking to buses are their preferred form of Require windows on the front third of the safe and comfortable way. their destinations. public transport. buses to be kept clear of advertisements, so that commuters can more easily 7 Silver Zones consist of road safety features that slow down motorists and remind them to look out for pedestrians. There are also features to remind pedestrians identify their location and destination. to be vigilant when crossing the road. These features include lower speed limits, enlarged centre dividers with speed humps, and “LOOK” markings painted in bright yellow for increased visibility.

74 75 SENIOR-FRIENDLY 4 PARKS The National Parks Board (NParks) will also upgrade our parks and park connectors to be more senior-friendly.

NParks will progressively enhance our network of parks to incorporate more senior-friendly amenities such as MRT Stations upgraded toilets and footpaths. Metal LTA will: drain covers next to footpaths will be progressively replaced to minimise the MRT doors: Extend the stop time of trains Signs: In addition to the existing use of risk of seniors tripping and falling over. at MRT stations by around two to six colour contrast, enlarge the size of the More shelters and senior-friendly seconds during off-peak hours, so that words on directional signage, so that it is exercise equipment will also be provided seniors have more time to board trains. easier for seniors to read and review how in the parks. In addition, lighting in existing information on directions is organised and parks will be improved in tandem with park Seats: Provide more seats in new displayed. This will make it is easier for redevelopments, including the development MRT stations for seniors to rest. seniors to understand and navigate their of Destination Parks – Jurong Lake Gardens, way in MRT stations and bus interchanges. Admiralty Park and East Coast Park. Lifts: Provide lifts to platforms at all stations, to allow for barrier-free accessibility. NParks is also piloting therapeutic pocket gardens in existing parks and health related facilities that can improve the physical and psychological well-being of users. A therapeutic garden will feature design elements, based on the science of horticulture therapy, to support the care of seniors with dementia and post-stroke patients through the provision of both contemplative spaces and activity zones for facilitated planting programmes. NParks is seeking partners to promote such gardens in more communities around Singapore.

76 77 Seniors, SENIOR-FRIENDLY between the Singapore Management sensors and University and Tata Consultancy Services, 5 DESIGN GUIDELINES focuses on research and development of sense-abilities intelligent and inclusive city solutions. The Building and Construction Authority will introduce a Universal Design Guide One part of the trial, which started in for Age-Friendly Public Places to raise awareness on how age-friendly July 2015, involves monitoring the design can be incorporated into urban infrastructure and planning. amount of medicine the seniors take, using a sensor in a medication box. About 10 seniors under GoodLife!’s care, including Madam Choy, were each given a medication box with sensors attached to it.

Associate Professor Tan Hwee Pink RESEARCH explained how the sensor works: 6 It keeps track of how many times the IN AGEING box is opened and closed by Madam Choy who takes five pills, two for her chronic conditions and three health supplements. LIVING alone worries Madam Choy Sip The raw data is sent wirelessly to SMU’s Fan. The 77-year-old has multiple health server where the research team plots conditions and, when she falls ill, there is the information into graphs for care no one to look after her. coordinators to better understand “Who will know if I don’t open the door?” Madam Choy’s medication patterns. she asked. “While we can’t tell whether she has This is why she is grateful to GoodLife!, actually taken the right pill, we can tell a Voluntary Welfare Organisation (VWO) with a certain level of confidence that that organises programmes and services she is consuming her medication at the for senior citizens. It has been working appointed time. This is validated by the with Madam Choy for seven years. “It’s diary we asked her to keep of her daily good that they care for me and check activities including her pill-taking routine,” on me,” she said. added Associate Professor Tan, who is the Academic Director of the SMU-TCS Singapore will invest in ageing-related The Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School GoodLife!’s Centre Director Desmurn Lim iCity Lab and leads the SMU team. research in different disciplines, to transform will establish a Centre for Ageing, said his organisation looks at how to help the experience of ageing tomorrow. Research and Education (CARE) to seniors like Madam Choy who have many The trial detected that four seniors needed further research some social aspects health issues and live alone. help with their medicine. One of them of ageing and will complement the largely was confused about the different dosages A new national Geriatric Education clinical nature of work done at GERI. CARE “Our main concern is how we support of his various medicine and ended up and Research Institute (GERI) will be will also seek to foster multi-disciplinary seniors like her while allowing them opening and closing the medication box housed at the Yishun Community research on ageing that will be translated to live independently,” he added. many times. When they saw this pattern, Hospital to promote geriatric education into solutions for local seniors. and research in Singapore. It will guide, In 2014, the VWO agreed to take part GoodLife! took him to his doctor and he conduct and coordinate Singapore’s in a three-year pilot by the SMU-TCS now is clearer about what medication to The National Research Foundation will iCity Lab to see how technology can help take at what time. research initiatives related to geriatric set aside up to $200 million for a National seniors age and live independently while services and age-related healthcare Innovation Challenge on Active and Said Mr Lim: “What the sensor and helping community care volunteers and issues. It will also take the lead in Confident Ageing to catalyse research medical professionals better monitor and resulting data give us is the opportunity strengthening training content and related to ageing. The National Innovation support them. to have a conversation with seniors on why curriculum so as to adequately equip Challenge on Ageing will cover the following they are doing things in a certain way. From healthcare workers with skills to better three areas: lengthening “health span”; The SMU-TCS iCity Lab, a joint venture there, we can see how best to help them.” care for elderly patients. The institute productive longevity; and enabling seniors is expected to be operational by 2016. to age-in-place.

78 79 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Our heartfelt thanks go out to all our partners who have journeyed with us over the past year to draft this Action Plan. Their time, effort, energy and feedback have been invaluable in helping us chart a better future for our seniors.

We would also like to thank our partner agencies and ministries for working with us to put together this booklet.

Most of all, we want to say a big thank you to all the Singaporeans who have shared with us their thoughts and ideas on what they imagine TOWARDS Singapore to be like and how it could be transformed into a Nation for All Ages.

A NATION This booklet is for you. FOR ALL AGES The Action Plan for Successful Ageing is a first step towards making Singapore a Nation for All Ages – an inclusive home for all Singaporeans and an icon for successful ageing in Asia. This is a future which we have to create together. All Singaporeans, young or old, have a part to play. Let us come together and shape a future that we can all aspire to and be proud of.

80 81 PARTNERS AGENCIES/MINISTRIES PHOTOS • Alexandra Health System • Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) • Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) • Centre for Seniors • Building and • Alexandra Health System • Chinese Development Construction Authority • Bedok Sunflower Assistance Council (CDAC) • Central Provident Fund Board Residents’ Committee • Council for Third Age (C3A) • Early Childhood • ComfortDelGro Taxi Business • Eastern Health Alliance Development Agency • Council for Third Age (C3A) • Islamic Religious Council • Health Promotion Board • Eastern Health Alliance of Singapore (MUIS) • Housing & Development Board • Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay • MOH Holdings Pte Ltd • Land Transport Authority • Frontier Family Medicine Clinic • Montfort Care • Ministry of Culture, • GoodLife! Community and Youth • National Trades • Health Promotion Board Union Congress (NTUC) • Ministry of Education • Housing & Development Board • National University • Ministry of Finance • Jamiyah Nursing Home of Singapore Senior Alumni • Ministry of Manpower • Jamiyah Singapore • National Volunteer • Ministry of National Development and Philanthropy Centre • Kopitiam Investment Pte Ltd • Ministry of Social and • NTUC Health Family Development • Land Transport Authority Co-operative Limited • Ministry of Transport • Lions Befrienders • REACH Singapore Service Association • National Parks Board • RSVP Singapore: The Organisation • Marine Parade Town Council of Senior Volunteers • National Research Foundation • Methodist Girls’ School • Singapore Business Federation • People’s Association • Ministry of Transport • Singapore Hospice Council • Singapore Workforce • MOH Holdings Pte Ltd Development Agency • Singapore Indian • National Parks Board Development Association (SINDA) • NTUC Health SilverACE • Society for WINGS • NTUC Health Silver Circle • St Luke’s Eldercare Centre • NTUC Health SilverCOVE • Thye Hua Kwan Moral Charities • NTUC’s My First Skool • Tan Tock Seng Hospital • RSVP Singapore: The Organisation • YAH! of Senior Volunteers • Yayasan Mendaki • Singapore Amalgamated Services Co-operative Organisation (SASCO) Integrated Eldercare Centre • Sheng Siong Group Ltd • Singapore Indian Development Association (SINDA) • Singapore Management University • SMRT Corporation Ltd • SMRT Taxis Pte Ltd • The Straits Times© Singapore Press Holdings Limited • Thye Hua Kwan Seniors Services @ Taman Jurong • Toast Box (A member of BreadTalk Group Ltd) • Singapore • Tsao Foundation • SIM University (UniSIM) • YAH! Brought to you by: The Ministerial Committee on Ageing