Holiday Homework - Part 1: Understanding 'The Elderly Challenge'

Community on Ageing issues (CAI) - Report on the Ageing Population
[ http://www.humyo.com/4727025/CBL-Aging/Committee%20on%20Ageing%20Issues-CAI_report.pdf?a=Ty6Jb7E7AQE ]

4 Key Recommendations
- Housing For Seniors
- Accessibility for Seniors
- Caring for Seniors
- Opportunities for Seniors

These 4 Key Recommendations are to tackle the problems arising from the ageing population. CAI has found out that due to the demographic transformation, transformation in the structure of the population, Singapore will be facing challenges in the near future. Singapore has to change her wrong perception that an ageing population means increased dependent citizens.

Hence, the CAI recommends Singapore's public housing to be more elder-friendly. One way is to built the transport system more elder-friendly as it will be easier for the Seniors to travel around a safe and enjoyable journey to their destination, building accessible lifts, walkways, and transport pick-up points (e.g bus stops, train station, etc.).

Ways to ensure that the quality of elderly care here in Singapore is affordable
- Lowering the fare for the Seniors.
- Government paying a certain percentage of
their monthly travel needs. (Based on income)

These ways will ensure that Seniors with lower/no income will be able to afford for their travel needs, privileges like the "Priority Seats" or now known as "Reserved Seats" will allow Seniors with weaker bodies compared to the younger population to have a seat in the bus/train.

Things an SST student can do to help overcome 'The Elderly Challenge'

- Starting by taking care of their own grandparents,
caring for the Seniors are important to build a strong
relationship among their families.

- Having and showing the positive attitude towards
the Seniors of the society. (e.g Helping ageing
neighbors)

- Visiting Elderly Homes, to show care and concern to
the Seniors. Hence, the Seniors will not feel left out by
the Community.

This will hence result Singapore to be a society for all ages whether young or old, all citizens of Singapore will be useful citizens with important roles.