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Ageing population impacts Singapore socially and economically. More elderlies will need our attention and help. If we do not do something to this issue, many elderlies will be neglected. Therefore, I feel that healthcare policies actually benefits the elderlies and deal with the ageing problem. Healthcare policies like residential and community healthcare services are beneficial to the elderlies. I can find out more about this issue through the news and newspapers so that I am more aware of what is going on and the different ways we can do to help the elderlies.

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INTERVIEW  [a family member who helps in taking care of the elderly]

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INTERVIEW  [a family member who helps in taking care of the elderly]

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Q: Do you think the government is doing enough to help Singaporeans to cope with the ageing problem?

A: No, because if you were to ask those elderlies, most of them would not know where to seek help when they need.

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I know that there will be more elderly than young adults in the near future. This will heavily impact the economy as there is a significant decrease in the working population.

It is an important issue as it affects the entire country since every working young adult will have to support the elderly. The overall well-being and economy of the country will be affected.

Although it won't be happening any time soon, this issue should still not be taken lightly. The economy will suffer due to the working adult and elderly ratio. The elderly population outnumber the young working adults. Thus, there will be less young working adults to support the elderly.

Some people are content with the government's efforts on trying to solve this issue. However, there are still people whom are not contented and may demand for more.

I could volunteer more at elderly homes and interact more with the elderly. To understand their needs and discuss about their thoughts on the current situation. Learning more about the issue helps to raise awareness about the issue that the countries will eventually face.

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I know that the issue is very prominent in Singapore. I have learnt that the population growth of elderly is rapidly increasing. Today, the ratio of elderly to the young has increased drastically as compared to the past.

It is an important issue as it affects every citizenof the country. Every citizen has to be aware of the issue and must be able to handle it. The issue also affects the country as a whole as every able citizen have to support the elderly.

I personally think that the government in Singapore are doing a good job in handling the increasing population. I feel that the government could also have more initiatives that could benefit the elderly

Others also feel that the initiatives proposed by the government are effective. However, more can definitely be done to ensure every elderly can live comfortably.

I could keep up with the news regarding the elderly to further increase my knowledge on the issue. Doing so will ensure that myself and others would be aware of the matter and know how to handle it.

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Interview with family member who helps in taking care of an elderly

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Interview with family member who helps in taking care of an elderly

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Q: What is your opinion on the recent pioneer generation package?
A: A first I was skeptical when the government first announced the pioneer generation package as I thought they introduce it due to the upcoming election. However, after a few years of implementation, I now feel the benefit. Although the package is for the pioneer generation, it does not only benefit them but also their children. Medical expenses can be very expensive especially for the elderly. With the pioneer generation package, substantial discounts are given for medical bills. Sometimes, these medical bills are paid by the children so the package indirectly benefits them too.  Medical benefits also include dental treatments and this too is heavily subsidized. The PG card that comes along with the package also gives the elderly little perks like discounts at certain supermarkets and restaurants. I think the pioneer generation feels special to be given this benefit.

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What I know of the current situation is that the Singapore elderly population is increasing. Me myself have personally experienced this issue. When I am out in the streets, I have noticed more elderly as time goes by.

I believe this is an important issue as this affects our generation. When we become adults in the future, we will have trouble with this issue. Personally, I believe that the problem of more elderly will result in a lesser workforce in the future. This is not good for Singapore economy. To solve this, we might need to import foreign talent to support Singapore. If Singapore economy drops it will be very bad.

The government may find this a burden as they will have to build more hospitals and old folks  home. This will cost a lot of money as old people tend to get sick easily. This will force the Government to invest more money for the elderly.

I can find out more about this issue by going to visit the elderly home or by having a small conversation with my grandparents. They can tell more about how they feel about this. By learning this issue, we can understand the core problem of the issue and hence will be able to solve it. I can find out how will the Government respond to this crisis

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Population ageing is a phenomenon that occurs when the median age of a country or region rises due to rising life expectancy and/or declining fertility rates. There has been, initially in the more economically developed countries (MEDC) but also more recently in less economically developed countries (LEDC), an increase in life expectancy which causes the ageing of populations.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Population_ageing

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http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/singapore-budget-2015-keeping-it-affordable-to-age-gracefully-in-community

There are different subsidies given and plans.
Such as;

>Medisave
~a national medical savings scheme which helps individuals put aside part of their income into their Medisave Accounts to meet their future personal or immediate family's hospitalization, day surgery and certain outpatient expenses.

>Medishield
~is a basic health insurance plan, administered by the Central Provident Fund (CPF) Board, which helps to pay for large hospital bills and selected costly outpatient treatments, such as dialysis and chemotherapy for cancer. (Source 1 below)

>Medifund
~ is an endowment fund set up by the Government to help needy Singaporeans. Medifund is a safety net for patients who face financial difficulties with their remaining bills after receiving Government subsidies and drawing on other means of payments including MediShield Life, private Integrated Shield Plans (IPs), Medisave and cash.

>CHAS CARD
~ enables Singapore Citizens from lower- and middle-income households to receive subsidies for medical and dental care at participating General Practitioners (GPs) and dental clinics near their homes.

>PIONEER GENERATION PACKAGE
~The Government has introduced the Pioneer Generation Package to honour and thank our Pioneers for their hard work and dedication. They have made Singapore what it is today. About ​​​450,000 Singaporeans will benefit from the Pioneer Generation Package. The package will help Pioneers with thei​r healthcare costs for l​​​ife.

Sources:
https://www.moh.gov.sg/content/moh_web/home/costs_and_financing/schemes_subsidies/medisave.html

https://www.moh.gov.sg/content/moh_web/home/costs_and_financing/schemes_subsidies/Medifund.html

https://www.chas.sg/

https://www.pioneers.sg/en-sg/Pages/Home.aspx

(Source 1)

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The elderly who become frail, sick and bedridden may need residential healthcare facilities when they are unable to care for themselves or be cared for within their own homes.

These facilities include:

·       Community hospitals

→provides intermediate healthcare to the convalescent sick and aged who do not require the acute level of care offered by general hospitals.

·       Chronic sick hospitals

→provides long term skilled daily nursing and frequent medical care to older persons with advanced, complicated medical conditions with poor functional ability and requires a greater level of care and supervision.

·       Nursing homes

→a place for people who don't need to be in a hospital but can't be cared for at home. Most nursing homes have nursing aides and skilled nurses on hand 24 hours a day.

·       Inpatient hospice care

→provides physical and psychosocial care to patients, psychosocial support to patients' families and caregivers, and education and training in palliative care for healthcare professionals and the public.

·       Respite care

→typically provided for individuals with disorders related to aging, terminal illnesses, chronic health issues, or developmental disabilities.

Source:
https://www.moh.gov.sg/content/moh_web/healthprofessionalsportal/allhealthcareprofessionals/guidelines/elderlycare.html

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As of 2013, Singapore's total population grew by 1.6% to reach 5.4 million. That is he slowest growth rate in the past nine years.

In 2015, population in Singapore was 5.54 million.
The size of group of citizens
age 65 and above is increasing rapidly, as population growth slows. It doubled from 220,000 in 2000 to 440,000 today. It is expected to increase to 900,000 by 2030

Source: m.todayonline.com/singapore/singapore-feeling-impact-rapidly-ageing-population

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Many elderly prefer to live in a familiar environment with their family members and friends. However, if the elderly or the family is unable to provide care to the elderly, community healthcare services may be required to help the elderly remain at home.

These community healthcare services may be provided at home or at a centre.

Home based: Healthcare services are provided within the homes of the older persons. They include medical and nursing care services.
These facilities include:

> Home Medical and Home Nursing
~A health service provided in the patient's place of residence for the purpose of promoting, maintaining, or restoring health or minimizing the effects of illness and disability.

>Home Hospice Care Service
~A hospice focuses on caring, not curing and in most cases care is provided in the patient's home.

Centre based: Healthcare services are provided within a centre. The elderly will attend these centres during the day, usually on a regular basis, but will go back to their own homes for the night.
These centres include:

>Day Rehabilitation Centres
~A facility providing therapy and training for rehabilitation during the day.

>Dementia Day Care Centres

~ A place to provide care for elderly with dementia to ensure their safety and keep them active with other elderly during the day.

>Psychiatric Day Care Centres and Rehabilitation Homes

(Daycare for elderly)

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What are some impacts related to ageing issue in Singapore?

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What are some impacts related to ageing issue in Singapore?

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One example of impacts related to the ageing issue in Singapore is the impact on the economy. First of all, this issue of ageing workforce is not unique to Singapore. From various published reports we know for a fact that the world’s population as a whole is ageing - and this is true of the Asia region too. Today Asia accounts for one-half of the world’s older population. With the highest median ages, longest life expectancy rates and among the lowest fertility rates in the region, Singapore is already facing the immediate challenges of declining populations and talent shortages.

At current birth rates and without immigration, Singapore’s citizen population will start to age and shrink. Between 2011 and 2030, the median age of the citizen population will rise from 39 years to 47 years.

According to a paper published by the National Population & Talent Division of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Singapore will also find itself in the unprecedented position of having a declining number of citizens in working ages (i.e. those aged 20-64) from 2020 onwards.

As more Singaporeans retire and fewer young Singaporeans enter the workforce, our citizen workforce will start to shrink. This will have implications on our economic growth.

A rapidly ageing workforce, if not managed well, may lead to a lower level of innovation. Evidence from high-income OECD countries suggests that the median age of the population is negatively correlated with total factor productivity, a measure of productivity growth associated with higher innovation and improving technology.

If the ageing population in Singapore not only leads to a shrinking workforce but also results in lower innovation, it will become even more difficult for us to support productivity and economic growth.

Source: http://sbr.com.sg/hr-education/commentary/economic-impact-ageing-singaporean-workforce

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Interview with family member regarding to thoughts about what can be done

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Interview with family member regarding to thoughts about what can be done

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Q:What more in your opinion can be done to improve the situation in Singapore?
A:I think that the government can fund more money into the PG package so the elderly have better healthcare.

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Interview (Family member who helps in taking care of the elderly)

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Interview (Family member who helps in taking care of the elderly)

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Q: Are you aware of some recent policies or efforts by the government in dealing with the ageing population?
A: Yes, I think the government has been announcing quite a few policy changes recently. One of the most well known is the Pioneer Generation Package. The government is making the effort to come out to say that they are are taking care of the seniors, especially those who have contributed a lot to the nation building in the early years. So I would say that it is the most significant policy the government has put forward.

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This issue about the increasing elderly population is an important issue that we need to act on as it will affect the future generations. This topic is talked about constantly as it is something that will always be an issue to us and it will snowball into a bigger issue if we do not handle it properly and efficiently. I feel that there needs to be a continuous improvement on the different healthcare schemes, plans and subsidies. We need to be aware of the growing population and there needs to be sufficient housing that can accommodate the elderly as well as retirement plans to ensure that they can retire well and be able to afford daily necessities and more. Other people also agree that this issue will affect the working class and we need to be able to support the elderly in our families and help the elderly who cannot help themselves. The thing i want to find out more and will find out more is how the government is planning to improve these schemes and what are their aims for improvement in this aspect of Singapore's growth.