Chapter 2 Governance in Singapore Ageing Population in

Chapter 2: Governance in Singapore Ageing Population in Singapore

Learning Points • Identify the reasons why ageing population is rising in Singapore • Identify the ways that an ageing population will impact Singapore • Identify the methods that the government used to meet the challenges of an ageing population

Survey by Datamonitor in Britain • As if starting a career and finding a partner weren't enough, twenty-somethings are increasingly plagued by a new fear. • They're afraid growing old. • A new survey has discovered that fear of ageing is no longer confined to the 35 -49 year olds. • Even twenty olds are worrying about ageing - and it's affecting the way they shop. • The survey discovered that British people spend far more than their European counterparts on trying to hold back the years. • They spend far and away the most on pills, potions, creams and clothes to keep themselves looking young.

Sentiments about ageing (1) • The thought of aging scares me more than the dying itself. Some people fear the pain, the unknown involved in dying, I fear aging, something I know is going to happen and is happening everyday. • It could be part vanity that my beauty will fade. It could also be the fact that my body will slowly deteriorate, get wrinkly and have age spots. Also my memory will become worse that I may lose my creativity and my ability to function fully. • These things scare me more than death itself.

Sentiments on ageing (2) • M y dad is getting up in years, although he's very healthy and active. I asked him if he wanted to live to be 100 and he said "hell no. " Reason: his retirement money won't last him to 100 years old. He would be dependent on others for his financial and medical needs. To him, losing your independence is worse than death.

Imagine that you have aged and you are now 70 years old… Ideal Scenario Worst Case Scenario How do you think you will look like? (appearance/skin/hair/weight/teeth/eyes)

How do you think you will move? How will your health be like?

Where will you be living and who are you living with? What will be your daily activities? (working? /retired? )

Who will you usually hang out with? Where will you get your income from?

Why is the Population Ageing? n Post-War Baby Boom - large number of people aged between 40 and 60 in 2006 n Declining birth rates - Small proportion of young people in the population; Increasing proportion of senior citizens in the population n Higher life expectancy - improved health and nutrition - due to the increase in the standard of living and the development of medical sciences

Impacts of an Ageing Population § Increase in demand for healthcare and social services § Reduction in competitiveness § Strain on working population § Smaller security forces

Needs of an ageing population… Need Medical Attention Prone to Illness Free, unused Time No Steady Income

Meeting the Challenges of an Ageing Population 1. Senior citizens as assets to society 2. ‘Many Helping Hands’ approach

1. Senior Citizens as Assets to Society § Senior citizens to remain contributing members to society § Possess valuable skills, knowledge, talent and work experience - add value to public and private organisations - help boost family life

2. ‘Many Helping Hands’ approach Individual responsibility Family support Community Help Government support • Healthy lifestyle • Financial planning

What is the ‘Many Helping Hands’ approach about? • Everyone has a part to play • The individual, family and community complement the government’s effort in providing help

Rationale of the approach • Government’s burden is lessened if the responsibility of taking care of senior citizens is shared How do you think the government will acquire the resources (money) needed to cope with the increasing ageing population? • Government can rely less on increasing taxes as the responsibilities are shared • The resources saved can be used to meet other needs of the nation

Individual Responsibility Preparing for old age through early lifelong planning § Healthy lifestyle - proper diet and regular exercise § Financial Planning for retirement - Plan early and be financially prepared in their old age - Learn about retirement planning by attending talks and reading relevant materials on financial planning

Family Support (1) Family as main source of emotional, social and financial support for senior citizens § Senior Citizens’ Week held annually in Nov since 1979 - promotes active lifestyle amongst the elderly - Promotes a positive attitude towards senior citizens as it reminds everyone to create an environment that is socially conducive

Family Support (2) § Grandparents’ Day celebrated in Nov - showing appreciation for the elderly and strengthen family bonds

Community Help (1) § Purpose of community help is to help senior citizens to remain physically, mentally and socially active § Enhances the well-being of senior citizens - provide healthcare and social services, social and emotional support

Community Help (2) § Government provides subsidies to voluntary welfare organisations that run community-based services for senior citizens - members of the community help out in these organisations § Some community organisations offer free health checks and organise recreational activities

Government Support § Tribunal for the Maintenance of Parents § Tax relief § Central Provident Fund (CPF) § Public housing schemes

Tribunal for the Maintenance of Parents • Parents over 60 years old and are incapable of supporting themselves can appeal to the court to obtain financial support from their children • In other words, children are obliged to take care of their parents

Tax relief • Tax Deduction for – Taking care of elderly parents, grandparents or great grandparents – Contribute to their elderly’s CPF accounts – Grandparents take care of grandchild while parents work • Can you relate this to the need for domestic helpers? The parents can rely less on domestic helpers and prevent children from getting too attached to the domestic helpers

Central Provident Fund (CPF) • Savings in the Special Account – Retirement, Emergency, Investment purposes • Medisave Account – Medical expenses • Retirement Account – Minimum sum from CPF after withdrawal at 55 years old – Receive monthly sum from age 62 • What is the rationale behind the establishment of the retirement account? To ensure that all the elderly has enough to survive even after their retirement

Public housing scheme • First-time buyers of government flats can get a housing grant if they buy a flat in the area where their parents live. • What kind of society does the government want to build by encouraging families to live near to each other? Socially cohesive and harmonious family

HDB’s lease buyback scheme • Government buys back HDB’s lease with a 30 -year remainder • First-time payout of S$5, 000, and monthly payments of about S$600 till death • After 30 years, alternative arrangements such as nursing home stays will be made • Advantage: Rental income • Disadvantage: The owners might gain more if the prices rise high in the future

Medical Subsidy Scheme • Annual subsidy of up to S$360 • Patients with one medical condition will receive up to $240 a year, while those with more conditions will get up to $360 a year • The subsidy will cover about 70 to 90 per cent of their total medication cost • But the question is, is it enough?

‘Back to Work’ Programme • Encourage housewives and retirees to return to the workforce • Part-time and flexible work • Alleviate manpower shortage • Reduce reliance on foreign workers • Engage older people as contributing members

Discussion Questions a) Imagine what your life may be like at age 65. Who would be looking after you? What activities would you be participating in? b) What other facilities useful to senior citizens should be built in public areas? c) Nowadays, it is quite common for children to move out of their parents’ homes when they marry. Suggest how these children can continue to show their love and concern for their aged parents? d) Imagine that you are 65 years old and looking for a job. What kind of jobs would you be interested in? What can you do to ensure that companies would want to employ you when you are 65 years old?