SINGAPORE: Help For Seniors To Stay Healthy

SINGAPORE (NewsToday), September 4, 2007: Even though many mass health screenings have been held island-wide, more could be done to help the community stay healthy. "There is a lack of follow-up, we are not achieving the desired objective … we raise a lot of awareness, but it's up to the individual to follow up (on their test results)," said Minister-in-Charge of ageing issues Lim Boon Heng yesterday. A new "Wellness Programme", will be launched in six locations over the next two years to engage seniors and boost their social well-being. If needed, the scheme will be implemented island-wide. Singapore has 300,000 residents who are aged 65 and older. The initiative will be piloted in Jurong Central, MacPherson and Hougang by June 2008. Residents with certain health risk factors will be referred to general practitioners who are on the Health Ministry's Chronic Disease Management Programme. Two people, described as seniors navigators, will be designated at each location to oversee medical follow-ups, as well as woo seniors and their families to take part in activities to keep them fit and active. They could, for example, join a brisk-walking group. This is to encourage and offer support for residents to take better careof their health, said Mr Lim. Noting the ageing population and rosy economic forecasts, he stressed the need for retiring later: "It is better to continue working while we can. In our sixties, we are still healthy. It will be too late to find a job should our money run out when we are 80. "Older workers have better prospects for employment if they are fit and healthy." The initiative, developed by the Ministries of Health and Community Development, Youth and Sports, aims to leverage on existing resources and better co- ordinate services for seniors who need help with personal care. This will mean "more integration of services so that it is convenient for seniors and their families", said Mr Lim. Day care and day rehabilitation services currently offered at two locations could be offered at a single location, he suggested. Three new locations will be added by the end of 2008, with the aim of serving at least 1,000 seniors in each. Copyright ©2005 MediaCorp Press Ltd