In days of yore, the young took care of their elders in their personal capacity. Now, we can be just as filial by sending our elders to enjoy the high-tech equipment in nursing homes ("NTUC making more inroads into eldercare"; last Thursday).

We need to change our mindset that it is better for our elders to live at home or be taken care of by a maid ("Adopt positive mindset towards nursing homes" by Mr Jeffrey Law Lee Beng; yesterday).

Nursing homes can provide a better environment and better care in this robotic age.

The National Trades Union Congress is ideally suited to provide this service because of economies of scale that can offset the high cost of equipment.

If it takes the lead in this field, there will be no need for children to send their parents to cheap nursing homes across the Causeway or be reliant on foreign maids.

I hope the NTUC nursing homes of the future will be the ideal environment, so that we will feel confident of leaving our elderly parents there while we work.

Hardware alone is not enough. A tripartite approach is needed - the Government, NTUC and employers must formulate a plan to make it affordable for Singaporeans.

George Wong Seow Choon (Dr)