NMP calls for refinement to Singapore's aging policies

Sunday November 16 2008
By Julia Ng, Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE: Nominated MP Kalyani Mehta has filed an adjournment motion in parliament on Monday, calling for refinements to Singapore's aging policies.

Among the suggestions - better co-ordinated home health and help services for the elderly and people with dementia, a Senior Pocket Money Fund to help low income elders and streamlining the means-testing formula between the Ministries of Health and Community Development, Youth and Sports.

She also suggested the setting up of a National Registry of Elders to address the problem of suicides among older people.

Professor Kalyani Mehta said: "We need a registry of vulnerable older people that includes referrals from the Ministry of Health, MCYS as well as community-based agencies such as Community Development Councils, Resident Committees, and Family Services Centres. Targeted help such as financial assistance, health screening and help-in-kind such as meals and transport vouchers could be efficiently rendered to these Singaporeans."

In response, Minister-in-charge of Aging Issues Lim Boon Heng said: "We can do this through the Wellness programme - or working together with the CDCs. In fact this is what some of the pilot sites are doing. And if we have seniors who are engaged with their neighbours, then the incidence of loneliness and therefore suicides will be less and the incidence of dying alone will be less."

“But I need to correct Professor Kalyani about the number of suicides in Singapore. I mentioned to the press that if you look at the rate over the past few years, we actually see a gradual decline.

Parliament will sit again on Tuesday and discuss several new bills expected to be introduced including the Income Tax Amendment Bill and the Employment Amendment Bill.

The House will also continue debating the adjournment motion.