Comprehensive Strategy to Address Ageing Population Challenges
As Singapore grapples with the realities of an ageing population, the Ministry of Health (MOH) plans to nearly double the number of eldercare centres to 220 by 2025. These centres, essential hubs for senior support, will also see an expansion in the scope of services offered, from active ageing programmes to health monitoring and community integration.
Currently, there are 119 eldercare centres serving seniors through programmes like befriending, care referrals, and health-related activities. Health Minister Ong Ye Kung highlighted their importance during the Agency for Integrated Care’s (AIC) Community Care Work Plan seminar, describing them as the Ministry’s “largest ground community asset.” Each centre will eventually cater to 1,000 to 4,000 seniors and collaborate with grassroots organisations, social service offices, and healthcare providers to address both health and social needs.
Minister Ong outlined plans to enhance eldercare services further. Seniors will be encouraged to visit these centres between doctor or polyclinic appointments for chronic conditions to participate in health programmes or undergo simple health screenings. These measures aim to support ageing in place, fostering independence within communities and homes.
Boosting Capacity and Preparedness
Addressing the demand for eldercare facilities, nursing home bed capacity increased by 70% from 2010 to 2020. Plans are underway to double this again over the next decade, aiming for over 31,000 beds. These expansions will strengthen community care and provide more robust support for seniors.
The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the vulnerabilities of the elderly, who bore the brunt of severe cases. Vaccination efforts have been pivotal, with over 90% of eligible nursing home residents and 10,000 home care clients receiving COVID-19 jabs. However, Minister Ong stressed the ongoing need for booster shots, especially for seniors, citing significant reductions in severe illness and mortality rates among the boosted population.
Tackling Manpower Challenges
The eldercare sector faces a critical manpower shortage. To address this, S$290 million has been allocated to raise salaries between 2020 and 2023. Training opportunities are also expanding, with over 18,000 places offered annually through AIC’s learning institutes.
Efforts to modernise the sector include job redesign and digitalisation to streamline repetitive tasks, allowing staff to focus on high-touch care. However, Minister Ong acknowledged the continued need for foreign healthcare manpower, emphasising the human-centric nature of eldercare despite technological advancements.
With these initiatives, Singapore is positioning itself to meet the needs of its ageing population through a holistic and forward-thinking approach, ensuring that seniors remain supported, engaged, and cared for in their communities.
