The Silver Population and Singapore

Polytechnic Foundation Programme – PDE 1

Understanding the Needs of Our Elderly

The Silver Population

And Singapore


Understanding the Needs of Our Elderly

The Silver Population And Singapore“Every grey cloud on the horizon has

a silver lining.

Trees grow stronger over the years,

rivers wider.

Likewise, with age, human beings

gain immeasurable depth and

breadth of experience and wisdom.

That is why older people should be

not only respected and revered;

they should be utilised as the rich

resource to society that they are.”

– Kofi Annan, former secretary

general of the United Nations


Obj

ectiv

es

By the end of this topic, students will be able to explain the importance of civic consciousness in the development of a caring community by:

a) describing the different ways of meeting the needs and aspirations of the elderly and examining the challenges faced by an ageing population

b) examining key government strategies in meeting the needs of the elderly

c) comparing key government strategies with the strategies used in another country in addressing the ageing population


Exploring Our Attitudes

Towards the Elderly

NIMBNotInMy Backyard

Click on the icon to watch a video about an elderly father and his son.

Click on the icon below to watch a news video on Singaporeans’ mindset towards elderly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYDgjw01iso

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xc1zNfyg4Ww


Understanding the Impact of An Ageing Population on Our Society

Singapore is expected to have the largest percentage increase in elderly population in the world.



Click on the icon to watch a video on global ageing and its impacts.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ukNFMeZvcc&feature=related



Falling birth rates

Longer Life Expectancy









The followings are the different aspects of society and their impacts on the ageing population.

Working Adult

Health Care Population Economy Housing



Working Adult

- Greater financial strain through increased taxes

- Financial strain of supporting elderly parents and raising children

- Retirement age is increased


Health Care


- Increase in demand for health care and social services

- Rising cost of health care



- Increase in foreign talents in the working force to ease the strain on the economy

- Increase in competition for jobs Population


Economy


- Reduction in economic competitiveness due to shrinking labour force

- Overall drop in productivity

- Increase in taxes = Decrease in profits for companies = Less attractive to investors


Housing


- Increase in housing costs

- More resources required for elderly-friendly facilities

Vision: ‘Successful Ageing for Singapore”

To ensure that all levels of society – the individual, the family, the community and the nation – are well-prepared for the challenges.

To empower individuals to age with dignity and security, as integral members of society, in a vibrant and socially cohesive nation.

The family, as the first line of support, should look after the physical and emotional needs of their senior members.

Addressing the Needs of the Elderly

Senior Citizens as Assets to the Society


Needs of The Elderly in Singapore

ELDER-FRIENDLY HOUSING

BARRIER-FREE SOCIETY

HOLISTIC & AFFORDABLE

HEALTHCARE & ELDERCARE

ACTIVE LIFESTYLES & WELL-BEING


Comparing key government strategies in addressing the ageing population

What are other countries that face an ageing

population and what measures are taken to

address the ageing population?


Japan

Click on the icon to watch a news video about Japan and its ageing population.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPe63Hy_9is


Singapore

• Encourage immigration of talented foreigners. This increases the number of people paying taxes.

• Efforts to increase birth rate • ElderShield, a limited and

voluntary version of long-term care insurance for severe disabilities, was launched in 2002.


Singapore

• 3Ms: Medisave, a compulsory savings plan for hospitalisation expenses; MediShield, a low-cost insurance scheme for catastrophic illnesses; and Medifund, a fund set up by the Government to help those who cannot afford their medical bills even after the first 2Ms have kicked in

• 40 Integrated Day Facilities (IDFs) by 2016


Singapore

• The Government has introduced the Pioneer Generation Package to honour and thank our pioneers for their hard work and dedication. They have made Singapore what it is today.

• About 450,000 Singaporeans will benefit from the Pioneer Generation Package.

• Click here to read more about Pioneer Generation Package.

http://www.cpf.gov.sg/pioneers/pgp_overview.asp


Understanding the Needs of the Elderly and Addressing their Needs

Now that we have explored the challenges faced by an ageing population and

some of the strategies to address these challenges, your Care Person will bring

you to visit a Senior Activity Center to experience the living conditions and

understand the needs of some of our elderly.

Sum

mar

y

By the end of this unit, you will be able to explain the importance of civic consciousness in the development of a caring community by:

a) describing the different ways of meeting the needs and aspirations of the elderly and examining the challenges faced by an ageing population

b) examining key government strategies in meeting the needs of the elderly

c) comparing key government strategies with the strategies used in another country in addressing the ageing population

Date post:	08-Aug-2015
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The Silver Population and Singapore

Education