Lecture 10: Social Trends of Ageing Population

Question 1

Identify reasons for Singapore’s rapidly greying population

Answer 1

1. People are living longer
   - Life expectancy has increased
2. Declining birth rates
   - Rise of singlehood, later marriages, married couples having fewer children

Question 2

Describe the challenges faced by a rapidly greying population

Answer 2

1. Shrinking workforce
2. Caregiver
3. Strain in healthcare system

Question 3

Describe the challenges faced by caregivers

Answer 3

1. Physical tiredness
2. Emotional stress and tiredness
3. Financial status suffer

Question 4

Define ‘Positive Ageing’

Answer 4

Enabling and empowering the seniors to maximise their independence

Question 5

Identify and describe the macro initiatives implemented to support positive ageing.

For the:
Fit
Sick
Poor

Answer 5

1. Implement Fair Employment Policy
   - eliminate age barriers and age-related discrimination in the formal labour market
   - ensure older persons have access to employment opportunities
   - include older people in public policy and decision-making processes by teaching them to use communication technologies
2. Assistance Schemes for the Elderly
   - ‘ElderShield’ is an affordable severe disability insurance scheme which provides basic financial proetction to those who need long-term care, especially during old age
   - The ‘Seniors’ Mobility and Enabling Fund’ (SMF) provides holistic support for SIngapore seniors to help them stay mobile and independent in the community by providing assistive devices, transport and home healthcare items.
3. Provide Housing for the Elderly
   - government to acknowledge diversity of living arrangements of older people and provide better buttresses for solo-dwellers
   - Policy considerations to be planned in consultation with elderly persons so they are empowered to change their own environment