More households to get senior-friendly features

Some 130,000 households will be retrofitted with elder-friendly features such as grab-bars and ramps under a new Government programme aimed at helping senior citizens get around their own homes more easily and safely.

Minister of State for National Development Lee Yi-Shyan said in Parliament on Monday that the Enhancement for Active Seniors (Ease) programme will start from July. It is an optional complement to the Housing Board's current Home Improvement Programme (HIP).

Under Ease, families who are eligible for HIP can choose to have their own combination of senior-friendly improvements installed in their flats. This is on top of improvements they will get from HIP, which addresses maintenance problems in older flats.

Elderly and residents who wish to get the enhancements earlier can apply directly to the Housing Board as well. Singaporean households will need to co-pay five to 12.5 per cent for the Ease improvements, which will work out to around $100 to $250, depending on the flat type.