ADDENDA, PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (MINISTERIAL COMMITTEE ON AGEING)

PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (MINISTERIAL COMMITTEE ON AGEING): MR LIM BOON HENG

Minister (Prime Minister's Office) and Minister-in-charge of Ageing Issues

Established in March 2007, the Ministerial Committee on Ageing is committed to achieving the vision of "Successful Ageing for Singapore". The Committee takes a whole-of-Government approach to pursue the strategic thrusts of enhancing financial security and employability; enabling ageing-in-place; providing holistic and affordable healthcare and eldercare; and promoting active ageing.

Through these efforts, Singaporeans should have the fullest opportunity to lead happy, healthy and active lives as they age. Families should remain the bedrock of care and support for our elders. We will forge an inclusive society for young and old.

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Enhancing employability and financial security

As we live longer, we also need to work longer to fund our expenses. The Ministry of Manpower, with its tripartite partners, will press on to implement re-employment legislation in 2012. Re-employment will be complemented by continuous education and training, and schemes to promote age-friendly workplaces and flexible work practices. Low-income older workers also enjoy added incentives to work through the Workfare Income Supplement Scheme.

To help Singaporeans save for old age, the CPF has undergone a series of reforms. From 2013, the CPF LIFE scheme will be implemented to provide CPF members with a regular stream of income for the rest of their lives. We will raise awareness of the recently introduced Lease Buyback Scheme to enable lower-income elderly release equity from their HDB housing.

Enabling ageing-in-place

Our physical environment should be accessible and safe for all Singaporeans, even those who are less mobile. All HDB housing estates will be barrier-free by 2011. The Lift Upgrading Programme, which provides lift access to all floors of eligible HDB blocks, will be completed by 2014. A $60 million programme to make pedestrian walkways, access to MRT stations, taxi and bus shelters and public roads, barrier-free will be completed by 2010.

Singaporeans will also have more choices to live in housing which is appropriate to their life stage and finances. HDB will build more studio apartments and smaller flats to facilitate right-sizing options. Over the next two years, about 2,000 units of Studio Apartments, 2- and 3-room flats will be launched each year. We will also look into different models of housing and services to facilitate ageing-in-place.

Providing holistic and affordable healthcare and eldercare

The Government is committed to a substantial expansion of the healthcare sector. We will boost capabilities to treat and manage chronic diseases including dementia. More intermediate and long-term care services such as community hospitals, nursing homes, day care and home-help services will be introduced. We will develop more services and support schemes for family members and caregivers.

All around the world, countries are grappling with how to finance long-term care. Our existing 3Ms framework for acute hospitalisation – Medisave, Medishield and Medifund – provides a good basis from which to develop sustainable solutions. We already have the basic long-term care insurance (Eldershield) and safety net (Medifund Silver) components in place. The Government will study how to enhance these two components and help Singaporeans set aside sufficient savings for their care needs.

Promoting active ageing

The Government is committed to promoting a positive and active mindset towards ageing. The Council for Third Age, funded by the Ministry of Community Development,

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Youth and Sports, will champion active ageing and promote new programmes for seniors. We are studying how the Wellness Programme, currently piloted in 12 constituencies to help older residents better manage their health and be socially connected, can be introduced to other constituencies.

Singapore is well placed to seize the economic and social opportunities that come with ageing. Asia is the fastest ageing region in the world. We will develop Singapore as a thriving business and research centre on ageing.