Growing old at home and in the community, with support services
By
Lee Siew Hua, Senior Political Correspondent
Mr Lim lay special emphasis on ageing in place, a concept of encouraging people to grow old in their own home and community. -- ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN
GROWING old in the comfort of home, not in institutions, is a future that more Singaporeans can expect, said Mr Lim Boon Heng in Parliament.
This style of 'ageing in place' is not only universally preferred by seniors but is also cost-effective in dense, urban Singapore, said the minister in charge of ageing issues.
SENDING THE RIGHT MESSAGE
'While building more nursing homes is important in addressing the current shortages, we do not want to send the wrong message to Singaporeans that sending our elderly parents to the nursing homes is the quick and easy solution to the care of the elderly.'
This brighter scenario hinges on factors such as the availability of maids trained in basic nursing or group homes that are purpose-built for seniors but run by professionals, he said.
These were among a suite of ideas he offered for Singapore's ageing population, ranging from infrastructure and insurance, to health and training for caregivers. He highlighted them on Tuesday, on Day 2 of the debate on President S R Nathan's address, delivered last Monday. Singapore is ageing rapidly. One in 12 Singaporeans is now aged 65 or older. By 2030, this ratio will be one in five.
Mr Lim, in his speech, lay special emphasis on ageing in place, a concept of encouraging people to grow old in their own home and community - a lifestyle supported by elder-friendly housing, transport systems and other infrastructure.
'Services should be home- and community-based as far as possible,' he said. Citing Europe, he noted that it is moving away from institutions to cost-effective home care, which seniors want.
Highlighting the group homes set up by Britain's Abbeyfield Society, a non-profit organisation, he said: 'Residents live as independently as possible, often about three to 10 persons in a house overseen by a housekeeper or manager.' Only a few residents need to move on to a nursing home.
In the Netherlands, apartments for the elderly are 'integrated' with nursing home units and the community. There are clinics, grocery stores and cafes.
Singapore will study such models, he said, and expand senior housing beyond the popular Housing Board studio apartments.
'I'm sure that over the next couple of years, some projects would surface,' added Mr Lim, a minister in the Prime Minister's Office.
Read the full story in Wednesday's edition of The Straits Times.
