At a forum on ageing organised by the Tsao Foundation on Monday morning, Mr Yap Chin Beng, HDB's director of Estate Administration and Property Department, said the HDB will launch 'a few hundred' studio apartments each year.

Seniors like such apartments, equipped with elderly-friendly features such as non-slip toilet tiles and grab poles, as they are small, easy to upkeep and affordable, said Mr Yap.

Mr Lim Boon Heng, Minister (Prime Minister's Office), also raised questions about the adequacy of insurance scheme ElderShield to meet seniors long-term care needs. While Mr Lim didn't elaborate on his statement, he hinted that the Government is currently reviewing the ElderShield scheme.

In his opening address to the forum, Mr Lim said: 'Long-term care insurance can become an uncontrollably growing beast, if it is not structured right. We have adopted a cautious approach.

' In September 2007, we enhanced the ElderShield scheme to help defray the cost of long-term care to the elderly and their caregivers. However, we need to consider if ElderShield is going to be sufficient. In view of our rapidly ageing population, it is imperative for us to find a way to adequately provide financing for long term care for all of us.'