S$18m to develop community-based elder care, support services

05/02/2009
By Hetty Musfirah Abdul Khamid, Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE: The government will pump in another S$18 million over the next five years to provide more community-based care and support services for the elderly and their caregivers.

The move comes as demand for such facilities is expected to rise. In 2030, one in five residents in Singapore is expected to be 65 years or older, up from one in 12 today.

Of the S$18m, S$5m will go towards six new day-care centres.

The budget for the new day-care centres is in addition to two day-care centre initiatives announced in March 2008, encompassing a S$1m maintenance exercise enhancement programme and a S$0.5m means-tested transport subsidy scheme for day-care centres.

Public feedback has shown that family caregivers appreciate the convenience day-care services provide as such services enable them to return to work or get respite care services as and when needed.

The remaining S$13 million will be used to build another 22 Seniors Activity Centres and upgrade selected existing ones. This will bring the total number of Seniors Activity Centres to 41 by 2013.

These centres are run mainly by voluntary welfare organisations, which work with local community partners and eldercare service providers. They often serve as first point of contact for the needy elderly to receive social support and participate in activities with other seniors.

Lim Boon Heng, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, said: "Among the more vulnerable seniors are those living in HDB rental flats. Today, there are 19 Seniors Activity Centres (SACs) serving seniors in one-room rental flats.

"Working hand in hand with the local grassroots, the SACs are part of the social safety net for vulnerable seniors."

Consultations with community leaders and service providers are underway to finalise the location of the new centres.