While Singaporeans are living longer, they are also having fewer children, who are the traditional caregivers. This puts many elderlies at risk of neglect.
During their scenario-planning exercise, the Institute of Policy Studies focused on strategies surrounding Singapore’s ageing population. Amongst the ideas explored, one of the new ideas was to introduce a time-banking system for volunteer caregivers. This system, called Eldersave, would reward caregivers with credits that can be used when they themselves need care in the future. Other ideas include internships for those aged 50 and above, introduction of an Ageless Scorecard to grade companies on how inclusive they are to workers of all ages, and, end-of-life planning.
In order to tackle Singapore’s ageing population, a whole society effort is needed, with voluntary welfare organisations, employers, caregivers, the community and the Government working together.
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Source: The Straits Times, 31 January 2017