NEEDS OF THE ELDERLY

Mdm Claire Chiang See Ngoh asked the Minister for Community Development, in line with the Government's policy of looking into the needs of the elderly, (a) whether there is a register or list of elderly persons who live alone and who are not supported by any relative; (b) what kind of financial assistance schemes and what total amount were made available for this vulnerable group from 1994 to 1998; and (c) what kind of mechanism is being set up to make it easier for the illiterate elderly who are bedridden to apply for Public Assistance.

Mr Abdullah Tarmugi: Register of Elderly Persons

There is currently no comprehensive list of elderly persons who live alone and who are not supported by any relative. Aggregate data derived from sources like the 1990 Census of Population and the 1995 National Survey of Senior Citizens in Singapore are used for planning of services for the elderly at national level.

Notwithstanding this, it is important to note that anyone in the community who comes across an elderly person in need of assistance can either call MCD or the Community Development Council (CDC) Helpline. Upon receipt of the referral, an MCD officer will visit the elderly and link him up with a voluntary welfare organisation (VWO) for appropriate assistance. This arrangement rightly places the responsibility on the local community to look after the needs of its members who require assistance and who have no family to help them.

Financial Assistance Schemes

Elderly Singaporeans who have no means of financial support can apply for assistance under the Public Assistance (PA) Scheme or the Silver Jubilee Fund (Special Grant) Scheme, if they are permanent residents. As at 31st December 1998, 1,839 elderly households were placed on these 2 schemes. Between 1994 and 1998, an amount of $20.08 million was disbursed to this group of elderly. Besides these 2 schemes, the CDCs, grassroots and religious organisations and VWOs also provide financial assistance to the elderly. Mechanism to assist bedridden and illiterate elderly to apply for PA allowance

Bedridden and illiterate elderly persons who need financial assistance can also be referred to MCD for financial assistance by any party - whether a neighbour, a relative, a grassroots leader or a volunteer. MCD officers will follow up on such referrals and render assistance.

My Ministry has also implemented two initiatives in collaboration with HDB, CDCs and VWOs which will facilitate the application of PA allowance by non-ambulant elderly persons in need. The first, implemented since December 1997, is an outreach programme for families living in 1 and 2-room HDB flats. Under this programme, volunteers call at these households and explain to them the schemes and services available to them and refer those who need immediate financial help to my Ministry for follow-up.

The second initiative is the MCD-HDB project to improve the living conditions of the elderly staying in 1-room HDB rental flats. Blocks of flats with a higher concentration of elderly tenants are refurbished with elderly-friendly features. MCD funds and works with VWOs to set up Seniors Activity Centres at the identified blocks to provide support services such as regular home visitation by volunteers, home help and meal delivery services. Staff at the centres will refer those who require PA allowance to MCD. Since 1993, 31 blocks of 1-room HDB rental flats have been identified for the project.