Screencap of the National Day Rally 2017 English Speech from the Prime Minister’s Office, Singapore YouTube page
LAST Sunday, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong delivered his National Day Rally speech at the Institute of Technical Education College Central. Missed his speech?
We’ve rounded up four key points of interest to seniors in Singapore.
1. Sweet drinks are made of this… preventing diabetes in Singapore
Three in 10 people over the age of 60 suffer from diabetes. If not controlled, diabetes can lead to blindness, heart failure and kidney failure.
PM Lee thus encouraged Singaporeans to better manage their diet and exercise more. He shared that doctors recommend 150 minutes of exercise per week, which works out to 20 minutes a day.
Want to exercise but not sure where to begin? How about trying out some Yoga for beginners? Click here to learn some beginner Yoga moves from 58-year-old Linda Loo. Or pick up ballroom dancing from 81-year-old Henry Teo.
2. High-5 to better health… $5 health check-ups for those above 40 years old
Starting from September, the Ministry of Health will offer $5 health check-ups for Singaporeans above the age of 40. The full cost of the test is more than $100. That’s quite a substantial subsidy! These health screenings will check for "three highs" - high blood pressure, high blood sugar and high cholesterol.
3. Smart nation, smarter seniors… cultivating a Smart Nation
“Smart Nation is for all of us, young and old,” PM Lee said. He shared that IT can improve the daily lives of the elderly. One example is the installation of smart sensors in the homes of elderly couples or singles who live alone. If the sensors do not detect any motion at home, they will send an alert to family members. The Housing and Development Board (HDB) is currently conducting trials of these sensors.
Did you know that this is just one of the many efforts the government has taken to create more senior-friendly housing in Singapore? Download the Action Plan for Successful Ageing here to learn more about these initiatives.
4. Silver and (IT) savvy… never too late to learn
PM Lee also shared about the importance of embodying the spirit of lifelong learning in today’s digital world.
“IT can improve our lives in many other aspects. It is not too late to learn and use IT to make our lives more convenient, safe and fun,” said PM Lee.
Keen to learn a new IT-related skill? Visit the National Silver Academy website and sign up for an IT course today. Psst, the courses are subsidised and you can use your SkillsFuture Credit too!
To watch PM Lee’s National Day Rally speech, click here.
Article published on: 23/8/2017