ACTIVE AGEING

ACTIVE AGEING

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(Apex body and promotion plans): **

24.

Mr Laurence Wee Yoke Thong:

Mr Laurence Wee Yoke Thong asked the Prime Minister in mapping out future plans for an integrated holistic approach of service delivery to promote active ageing and general well-being of older persons, whether there will be an apex body to facilitate coordination between the various Ministries as elder care issues cut across several Ministries covering health, finance, accessibility, housing, employment etc.

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Mr Laurence Wee Yoke Thong asked the Prime Minister in view of the ageing population (a) what are the long term plans to promote active ageing; and (b) what are the principles that will be used in considering measures to address the problem of the vulnerable and frail elderly in the community.

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Mr Lim Boon Heng: Let me take the Member's second question first. The Government recognises that addressing ageing issues requires a Whole-of-Government approach. As the Member says, some issues cut across several Ministries. Two years ago, the Ministerial Committee on Ageing, which I chair, was established to facilitate inter-agency coordination and collaboration on ageing issues. The committee is pursuing the four strategic thrusts of enhancing employability and financial security, enabling ageing-in-place, providing holistic and affordable healthcare and eldercare, and promoting active ageing. This arrangement has served us well so far. So there are no plans for a separate apex body.

Let me now address the Member's other question. We have started work to prepare for an ageing population. Our aim is to enable our elderly to remain active, independent, financially secured and productively engaged with the wider community. In doing so, we ensure that Singapore remains a vibrant and dynamic society, and a good home for our young and old.

We are building on the work accomplished in recent years. The Council for Third Age was set up two years ago to champion active ageing. With the support of MCYS, it has re-branded the annual Senior Citizens' Week to the Active Ageing Festival. The Council also administers the Ministry's Golden Opportunities (GO!) Fund, which has seed-funded over 40 community projects with an outreach of 50,000 seniors. It has worked with tripartite partners to identify model employers of older workers. In the coming months, the Council will be focusing on inter-generational bonds in the family, community and the workplace.

Employment, financial security and ageing-in-place are essential to active ageing. We are promoting re-employment and expanding our continuous education and training framework for seniors. We are also enhancing financial security through CPF LIFE, the 3Ms framework and studying how to help citizens finance their long-term care needs. Members would be aware of ongoing efforts to make our housing estates, public transport and living environment barrier-free.

The Government will expand efforts to promote active ageing. One specific initiative is the Wellness Programme, which has been piloted in 12 constituencies and has benefited more than 8,000 seniors through health screenings and other activities. The People's Association will implement the Wellness Programme in partnership with grassroots leaders and leveraging on existing facilities such as our community clubs and RC centres. Those health-screened and found to be at-risk would be asked to follow up with their family doctors. Those who are sedentary will be invited to join physical activities such as brisk-walking and taichi . Those who are not in social groups will be encouraged to join one. We plan to implement the programme in another 24 constituencies next year.

Active ageing is ultimately a matter of personal responsibility. As friends, peers, family members and leaders in our community, we all need to support active ageing as a ground-up movement. The Wellness Programme is a platform, but it needs the commitment of advisors, grassroots leaders and community partners to reach out to more residents and to achieve our desired results.

As our population ages, more elderly Singaporeans will need care in the coming years. The Centre for Enabled Living has been set up to strengthen community care and to better

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support our caregivers. The Centre will provide appropriate advice and referral that fit the needs of the care recipient and their family. It will expand training for caregivers and foreign domestic workers and promote schemes to help offset the cost of care. The Centre will also work closely with other agencies so that care is better coordinated across different services. At the policy level, MOH, MCYS, MND and other relevant agencies meet regularly to study the care and housing needs of an ageing population and to develop the network of community-based services.

Our aim is to minimise the number of elderly who become vulnerable and needy. Thus we help people to acquire skills to stay employed for as long as they can and save for their retirement years. We help them to maintain good physical, mental and social wellbeing. And we help them to save for their healthcare and for their long-term care, if needed. The principle is self-reliance.

However, there will be some elderly who become vulnerable and needy. ComCare provides the social safety net under our "Many Helping Hands" approach. The Government will reinforce the principle of family as the first line of care and support for our elderly. We will help families to fulfil this responsibility through our various policies.

All these efforts will require investment from Government, and we are committed to doing so. Most of our elderly can and should be active, independent and socially engaged. Those who need care and their caregivers will be provided appropriate, accessible and affordable services. Those who are needy and vulnerable will be provided adequate assistance and help. With the support of all Members of the House, we are optimistic that this vision can be achieved.

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