- The People’s Association (PA) will leverage its community facilities and network to deliver health services and promote health education, senior learning and volunteerism under the Wellness Programme, so that we can eventually have a wellness hub in every mature neighbourhood.
Under the Community Networks for Seniors (CNS) programme, regular "Wellness Time" will be introduced at community facilities islandwide to encourage seniors to keep active, healthy and socially engaged.
"Wellness Time" comprises a suite of regular active ageing and preventive health programmes for seniors. These include health screening, exercise classes, health talks and social activities.
- Expand the network of social support services to support vulnerable seniors.
Community-based social support services are organised into Senior Cluster Networks (SCN) within each Housing & Development Board (HDB) town to better reach out to and support vulnerable seniors to stay engaged in the community and receive coordinated care.
Each town is supported by a range of services comprising Senior Activity Centres, case management teams, assisted living option and volunteers, to cater to the varying needs of vulnerable seniors with varying degrees of frailty and family support.
- Expand home visitation programmes in at least 50 neighbourhoods to keep social isolation and poor health at bay.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) piloted a Community Befriending Programme in October 2014 in Bukit Batok, Bukit Batok East, and Taman Jurong.
The befrienders, who live in the same neighbourhood as the seniors they befriend, call and visit these seniors at least twice a month. During each visit, the befriender is trained to look out for any change in the seniors’ mood, physical condition or living environment. If the seniors need help, the befriender then informs the care provider who will decide the next relevant step.
MOH is working with various voluntary welfare and grassroots organisations to scale the Community Befriending Programme islandwide, so as to provide social support to seniors living alone. To find out more about the Community Befriending Programme, visit: bit.ly/befriendasenior