Singapore must aggressively map out an elderly-friendly community model within the next five years. This could include having elderly care centres within HDB heartlands to facilitate visits by family and friends.
Mr Lim is in Japan in his capacity as Chairman of the Ministerial Committee on Ageing. He said the republic must aggressively pursue targets to tackle the needs of a gradually ageing population. Visiting Sendai city, north-east of Tokyo, the Minister toured a centre that provides comprehensive day-care and residential programmes for the elderly.
The Sendai Finland Wellbeing Centre has a research and development unit that produces new elderly-friendly products, such as an emergency system for the elderly using wristwatches, and a remote control to open and close doors and curtains.
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1 comment:
I agree with Mr Lim's suggestion to increase the retirement age in Singapore. This is necessary as Singapore is approaching an aging population. Since healthcare services for the elderly comes mainly from the income tax obtained form the working population. When the percentage of the elderly here is greater or equal to that of the working population, the burden on each individual who is working would be greater. Therefore, there is a need for Singapore to extend its retirement age so that more elderly would be able to work and support themselves. Furthermore, these elderly may have long-term experience in their field of work which the young workers lack of, having them around would then benefit the company.
However, i have doubts regarding the feasibility of Mr Lim's suggestion of having elderly care centres within HDB heartlands. Although these centres would help improve the relationship between the elderly and their family, will Singapore have enough land area to do so? Some HDB flats have their own Community Centres while others may have other facilities such as provision shops or playgrounds. Thus, most of the HDB flats in Singapore alreadly have their own facilities and may not have room for the elderly care centres. I believe a better suggestion would be to improrve and expand the elderly care centres already present within HDB heartlands so that they can provide better services to more elderly.
In conclusion, i believe that it is essential for Singapore to map out an elderly-friendly community model because an aging population may bring about many problems if it is not taken care of. Moreover, these elderly are those who contributed to our society in the past, who improved our lives. Thus, it is our duty to repay them with care now.
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