Singapore takes a “whole-of-government” approach to ageing

June 2, 2009 | By Kim Walker

Aiming to achieve a vision of “Successful Ageing for Singapore” Mr Lim Lim Boon Heng: Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office said at the opening of the latest Parliamentary session, that the Manpower Ministry will:

• Continue to push re-employment legislation through by 2012.
• The Central Provident Fund (CPF) will raise awareness of the “lease-buyback” scheme to enable the lower-income elderly to release equity from their public housing.
• Under a concept called “Ageing-In-Place”, the physical environment at HDB housing estates will be barrier-free by 2011.
• There will be lift access to all floors in flats by 2014, and another S$60 million has been committed to make all pedestrian walkways accessible by 2010.
• Singaporeans will also have more choices to live in housing appropriate to their stage in life and finances.
• A substantial expansion of the healthcare sector to cope with intermediate and long-term care services.
• Initiate a study on how to help Singaporeans with their long-term health care.
• Continue studying how the Wellness Programme, now piloted at 12 constituencies, can help more older residents manage their health and be socially connected.