Three-quarters of Singaporeans don't exercise regularly and getting them to do so is key to tackle problems posed by a rapidly ageing population. -- ST PHOTO: ALAN LIM
THREE-quarters of Singaporeans don't exercise regularly and getting them to do so is key to tackle problems posed by a rapidly ageing population, the minister in charge of ageing issues Lim Boon Heng said on Friday.
Mr Lim, who was speaking at a symposium on ageing, said that health-care is not limited to hospitals and doctors.
'But limiting health care to hospitals and doctors misses the forest for some big trees,' he said. 'It also limits the solutions the health care system must develop to meet challenges of an ageing population: how do we stay healthy for as long as possible, how do we ensure proper care when we fall sick and how do we die well?'
The minister added that Singapore needs to ensure that services for the elderly must be cost effective and appropriate, centred on the person's needs and his family and should be home or community-based.
He also noted that in the past few years, the taboo over discussing end-of-life issues has been 'slowly but steadily removed' and patients are also more aware of palliative care services available.
