A Blueprint For Singapore’s Ageing Population?

“Ad-hoc measures and individual initiatives are no longer enough. There must be a concerted national effort to attend to the needs of the elderly. We urge haste” (Silver Tsunami Closing In, The Sunday Times Editorial).

The Sunday Times Editorial “Silver Tsunami Closing In” (December 19, 2010): the challenges of an ageing population have been consistently highlighted, given that Singapore has been one of the top few fastest-ageing nations in the world. Such a situation is further exacerbated by rapidly falling birth rates in the past decades, and has forced the administration to attract more permanent residents and new citizens to consider Singapore as their country of residence. Given the changing demographics, there is increased impetus for the relevant ministries and public agencies to develop a more wholesome and organised social support system for this segment of the population.

An ageing population can result in a decline in the proportion of citizens – despite the increased retirement age – who are economically productive, raising labour costs because of labour shortages, increasing the dependency ratio, heightening demand for social services and healthcare services et cetera. Against this background of potential problems, it seems logical that the Government has instituted the Marine Parade study and pilot scheme to harmonise needs assessments, on-the-ground studies with intervention, implementation of policies and activities; before concluding with proper evaluation.

But is it too late? Many of the existing programmes or initiatives are considerably ad-hoc in nature, and can be confusing for elderly individuals who have little access to policy information or poor mastery of languages. The lack of communication and coordination across ministries and departments with existing voluntary welfare organisations or non-governmental agencies can give rise to unnecessary red tape and bureaucracy. Ensuring funds and care for the aged comes primarily in the form of ownership of a house and Central Provident Fund (CPF) retirement savings; underlying the administration’s principles of self-reliance. However, complications arise when individuals or households fall through the cracks, especially when they are hampered by physical disabilities, or troubled by medical conditions and struggling with bills.

There needs to be a more consistent blueprint for Singapore’s ageing population – probably an extension from the proposed Marine Parade study – to guide and orientate public administrators in their roles and responsibilities in anticipation of the imminent “silver tsunami”. Beyond the institution of generic policy recommendations to maintain respectable subsistence and basic quality of living, coordination of elderly-friendly infrastructure in neighbourhoods and increasing participation in communal activities would go a long way in stemming degeneration and facilitating heightened interaction.

The complex ramifications of an ageing population demand a more concerted effort on the part of the stakeholders to remedy. Existing measures are respectable, but much more can be done sustainability and more efficiently in time to come.