LIVING CONDITIONS OF THE AGED DESTITUTE

LIVING CONDITIONS OF THE AGED DESTITUTE

42.

Mr Terry Lee asked the Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports (a) what recent studies have been done on the day-to-day living conditions of the aged, especially those in destitute; (b) what are some of the difficulties they face daily and whether the Public Assistance Scheme addresses the majority of it; (c) what other plans are there besides encouraging procreation or increasing the labour force to prevent the decline of the old-age support ratio; and (d) what other financial assistance programmes are there to help such elderly destitute families.

Dr Vivian Balakrishnan: The needs of our elderly poor are multi-faceted and broadly fall into one or more of the three categories – financial means; affordable and accessible health and long-term care; and opportunities to be active and socially engaged. MCYS is committed to ensuring that the elderly poor are supported in all these areas, along the principles of self-responsibility, family as first line of care and support, and a Many Helping Hands Approach. I will elaborate on each of these areas.

First, there are various ComCare schemes to help needy elderly financially. For example, the Public Assistance (PA) scheme provides an allowance for their basic living needs. PA recipients also receive free medical care, and are eligible for highly subsidised rental flats. Elderly who do not qualify for Public Assistance may receive support from the other ComCare schemes, such as the ComCare Transitions schemes. In addition, the Community Development Councils, voluntary welfare organisations and charities can provide further assistance customised to the specific needs of the individual. For those who are not able to cope in the community even with financial assistance, they can be admitted to the destitute homes. We are also reviewing the Maintenance for Parents Act, to reinforce the importance of filial piety in our society. The Commissioner for the Maintenance of Parents will be more active in assisting the elderly poor to resolve maintenance and other relevant issues in a holistic way.

Second, the Government is committed to developing a healthcare system which is relevant to our ageing demography. This includes developing more step-down care services, including community hospitals, nursing homes and day care centres. In September 2009, the Centre for Enabled Living was launched to help the elderly and their caregivers obtain relevant information and services, such as home-based care. Elderly poor will be assisted in paying for healthcare costs through a means-test subsidy framework and Medifund.

Third, we will provide more opportunities for active ageing. The elderly poor are at higher risk of social isolation, especially if they are living alone, divorced or widowed, or in poor health. We estimate that around 30,000 elderly are at risk of social isolation. Befriending and counselling services are available to outreach to the socially isolated. The Government has also outlined plans for a Wellness Programme to be rolled out over the next few years, to promote better health, physical activity and socialisation among older residents.

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To improve the living conditions of the elderly living in rental flats, HDB has upgraded the one-room rental blocks with high number of elderly households under Project LIFE(1). For example, these flats are fitted with elderly-friendly fittings and an alert alarm system. There are currently 19 Seniors Activity Centres at the void decks of the rental blocks. These are run by our Voluntary Welfare Organisations. MCYS will be building 23 more Seniors Activity Centres for elderly residents living at HDB rental flats over the next five years. The Seniors Activity Centres provide support, information and referrals and social activities to help our seniors age-in-place.

Officers at our Community Development Councils are also well placed to help elderly poor with assistance in all these three areas. They take a holistic approach in delivering assistance, and will look beyond the immediate problem to understand the underlying issues. They will also link up the elderly with other agencies where necessary for assistance. For example, apart from assisting PA recipients with a monthly cash allowance, the CDCs could refer them to organisations like the Lions Befrienders for befriending services. For those who have difficulties preparing their own meals, the CDCs would link them up to organizations such as TOUCH Community Services and Thye Hua Kwan Moral Society for free meals or food rations.

It will be difficult for Singapore to reverse the trend of a declining old-age dependency ratio. We would have successfully prepared for population ageing if Singaporeans are financially self-sufficient, independent and have a strong network of family and social support. Recent measures to enhance the financial security of the old include measures to help people work longer, the HDB Lease Buyback Scheme and CPF LIFE. The Ministerial Committee on Ageing will continue to monitor and introduce measures as needed so that our elderly can age in dignity and with grace.

(1) Project LIFE – Life Improvement and Facilities Enhancement for the elderly

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