PCF's first senior care centre has more than 70 clients, second centre to be ready by year-end

SINGAPORE - To cater to the growing need for elder care, PAP Community Foundation (PCF) has opened its first senior care centre, with a second one to be ready by year-end.

The first centre, Sparkle Care @ Changi Simei was officially launched on Saturday (April 2). PCF has already started work on its second senior care centre in the Yew Tee area.

Designed to support the elderly with multiple care needs and provide relief to caregivers, the senior care centre is licensed to offer dementia and maintenance care, rehabilitation care and nursing care.

The centre in Simei opened in September last year and is now providing maintenance and dementia day care services to over 70 clients.

Most of the seniors are in their 70s and 80s, with the oldest being 97 years old.

This centre marks a new role of the PCF in providing care services to seniors, in addition to its work in early childhood education.

It has a maximum capacity for 55 day care and 65 rehabilitation clients.

Seniors aged 60 and above who have a need for the services and have obtained the relevant referrals may be eligible. Seniors may also claim up to 80 per cent of fee subvention.

Minister for National Development Mr Lawrence Wong, who is also chairman of the PCF Council of Management, said: "In the 60s, PCF responded to the need for pre-school services by setting up void deck kindergartens. Subsequently, with changing demand and needs, we shifted to full-day childcare services.

"Now, with a rapidly ageing population, we are seeing greater needs on the ground for senior care services."

Since PCF had little experience in the area, he said, it started by partnering the Alzheimer's Disease Association and St. Andrew's Community Hospital.

Also present at the official opening were MP for East Coast GRC Jessica Tan and PCF executive committee chairman Josephine Teo.

Said Mrs Teo, who is also Senior Minister of State for Transport and Foreign Affairs: "We see this as part of our social responsibility to support families, to enable seniors to age with dignity and promote communities where people care for one another."

byseow@sph.com.sg

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