HOMES FOR THE AGED BILL

Order for Second Reading read.

The Minister for Community Development (Mr Wong Kan Seng): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."

Sir, this Bill seeks to provide for the control, licensing and inspection of homes for the aged.

The main aim of this Bill is to ensure the reliability and quality of care arrangements for residents in these homes. It is important to ensure that homes for the aged maintain a minimum standard of care. This is not only for the benefit of the residents in these homes but also that the families, if any, of the residents must be assured that their aged dependants are looked after adequately in the homes.

Sir, there has been an increase in the number of homes for the aged in the last few years. In 1984, there were 51 homes with a bed capacity of about 3,700. In 1987, there were 71 homes with a bed capacity of about 4,400. The main increase is in commercial homes which are not purpose-built.

The number of homes for the aged is expected to increase as our population ages. On average, about 2% of the aged population would require residential care. The number of frail elderly who are more likely to require residential care will increase to about 17,000 in the year 2000, and to 56,000 in the year 2030. We estimate that the demand for beds in residential homes for the aged will increase to about 5,500 by the end of this century and to 17,000 by the year 2030. There is a need therefore to introduce legislation now to guide operators of homes for the aged on acceptable standards of care.

There are now 71 homes for the aged, as I mentioned, made up of three Government homes, 22 voluntary, 17 community, 4 temple and 25 commercial homes. More than 80% of the beds in these homes are occupied. The Government's policy has always been for the aged to live with their families for as long as possible and my Ministry will guard against a proliferation of homes for the aged by monitoring admission criteria.

I will not go into the detailed clauses of the Bill as the sub-titles of the sections are self-explanatory. I will touch on the main features of this Bill. Under this Bill, a "home for the aged" is defined as any establishment whose object is to provide residential accommodation and personal care for five or more old persons, whether able-bodied or disabled. An old person means any person of the age of 60 years and above. The Director of Social Welfare has the discretionary powers to approve the admission into such homes any person whose age is between 50 and 60. This provides for flexibility to permit the admission of peripheral cases between 50 and 60 years of age. For example, if a stroke patient aged between 50-59 requires nursing and personal care but there is no one to help him at home, he could be admitted into a home for the aged. Such an admission requires the approval of the Director of Social Welfare.

The Bill, which will be administered by the Director of Social Welfare, (i) requires all homes for the aged to be licensed and to operate in accordance with the terms and conditions that may be specified by the Director; (ii) specifies the ground under which the Director may refuse to issue or renew a licence, or suspend or revoke a licence; (iii) empowers the Director or any officer authorized by him to inspect homes for the aged and the records therein; and (iv) empowers the Minister to make regulations to carry out the purposes of the Act and to exempt any homes from any or all of the provisions of the regulations.

The Regulations to carry out the purposes of the Act may cover, among others, matters pertaining to:

(i) the operation, management and supervision of the homes for the aged;

(ii) the duties and responsibilities of persons licensed;

(iii) the health, safety, nutrition and management of old persons; and

(iv) the adequacy or suitability of premises, equipment, programmes and physical facilities.

Even before the introduction of this Bill, my Ministry introduced in 1986 a set of guidelines on minimum standards of care for the homes for the aged. These include fire safety, building control requirements, specifications for sanitary and bath facilities, quality of meals, space per resident, staffing ratios and maintenance of relevant records. Some guidelines are mandatory and come under the jurisdiction of other legislation, eg, Building Control Act.

The capability of existing homes to meet the new Regulations under the Bill have been carefully monitored. Of the 22 voluntary welfare homes, only four may have some difficulty in meeting the requirements or the guidelines because of poor facilities and low level of care. Two homes need funds to upgrade their present facilities. These homes are being helped by the Government to improve their physical environment and facilities. Another four homes are affected by redevelopment. We are also helping them to get land to put up purpose-built homes.

The 17 community homes which are presently located in the void decks of HDB estates cater for the single, healthy, ambulant aged who are able to take care of themselves. Although they will come under the ambit of the legislation, they will be exempted from compliance with some of the Regulations which will not be required of them, eg, nursing staff, since they are all ambulant.

Of the four temple homes, one is sub-standard.

None of the commercial homes is purpose-built for the aged. They all occupy converted dwelling houses. However, the majority of them will be able to meet the guidelines on minimum standard of care. Where existing homes, both voluntary and commercial, are unable to meet the minimum guidelines, the Ministry will give them a grace period of up to two years, in the first instance, to enable them to take steps to comply with the Regulations and to upgrade their facilities. Homes which are unable to comply with the Regulations after sufficient grace period is given will eventually have to close down.

The Advisory Council on the Aged set up by the Government to look into the problems and needs of the aged has reviewed and endorsed the principles of this Bill.

Sir, I beg to move.

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House.

The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. - [Mr Wong Kan Seng].

Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed.