Source: CNA
SINGAPORE: A REACH policy study workgroup on health issues has recommended the government to offer more financial reliefs for low-income and single caregivers.
Download our free toolbar here
SINGAPORE: A REACH policy study workgroup on health issues has recommended the government to offer more financial reliefs for low-income and single caregivers.
This would make it easier for them to engage foreign domestic workers.
Over the long term, it said the government should consider subsidising caregiving-related products and services.
The workgroup also recommended an umbrella agency be set up to facilitate the coordination of caregiver and care recipient services and resources.
It also suggested existing government-paid childcare leave be expanded to cover elderly parents and relatives as well.
The workgroup's chairman, Dr Teo Boon See, said caregivers are the key to keeping the elderly in the community where they rightly belong.
He noted that in 20 years' time, one in five Singaporeans will be over 65 years old.
As the population ages, more people will require care.
As such, the number of caregivers will increase proportionately and form a critical segment to sustain care to the ageing population.
The Health Ministry (MOH) said it would study the workgroup's findings and recommendations on single and low-income caregivers for senior citizens.
On the workgroup's recommendation of adopting the American Programme for All-inclusive Care for the Elderly as a model for community-based care in Singapore, MOH said a local version was piloted with Bedok Multi-Service Centre, in October last year.
It added that more such programmes would be rolled out this year.
The ministry said these local pilots, called Singapore Integrated Care for the Elderly (SPICE), aim to reduce fragmentation of care, and support the care of the frail elderly in the community, so that they need not be admitted into nursing homes.
SPICE is designed to provide end-to-end, holistic and coordinated care services customised to the needs of each elderly.
Over the long term, it said the government should consider subsidising caregiving-related products and services.
The workgroup also recommended an umbrella agency be set up to facilitate the coordination of caregiver and care recipient services and resources.
It also suggested existing government-paid childcare leave be expanded to cover elderly parents and relatives as well.
The workgroup's chairman, Dr Teo Boon See, said caregivers are the key to keeping the elderly in the community where they rightly belong.
He noted that in 20 years' time, one in five Singaporeans will be over 65 years old.
As the population ages, more people will require care.
As such, the number of caregivers will increase proportionately and form a critical segment to sustain care to the ageing population.
The Health Ministry (MOH) said it would study the workgroup's findings and recommendations on single and low-income caregivers for senior citizens.
On the workgroup's recommendation of adopting the American Programme for All-inclusive Care for the Elderly as a model for community-based care in Singapore, MOH said a local version was piloted with Bedok Multi-Service Centre, in October last year.
It added that more such programmes would be rolled out this year.
The ministry said these local pilots, called Singapore Integrated Care for the Elderly (SPICE), aim to reduce fragmentation of care, and support the care of the frail elderly in the community, so that they need not be admitted into nursing homes.
SPICE is designed to provide end-to-end, holistic and coordinated care services customised to the needs of each elderly.
