IMPROVING ACCESS TO ACTIVE AGEING ACTIVITIES AND SENIOR-FRIENDLY INFRASTRUCTURE

As part of Age Well SG, the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Ministry of National Development (MND) are rolling out new and innovative methods to improve access to Active Ageing Centre (AAC) activities for all seniors. This was announced by Minister for Health, Mr Ong Ye Kung and Minister for National Development, Mr Desmond Lee at the launch of Our Residents’ Hub, a pop-up communal facility to host community and active ageing activities at Jalan Mas Kuning Playground in West Coast.

Improving Accessibility of AAC Activities for Seniors

2.             To reach seniors living in residential areas with less convenient access to AACs, MOH is introducing an initiative where AACs conduct activities in nearby communal spaces or semi-permanent facilities. Over the next one to two years, through these initiatives, we expect to bring AAC services even closer to more than 20,000 such seniors.

3.             Our Residents’ Hub is one example, an initiative in partnership with the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC), National Parks Board and People’s Association (PA). SASCO @ West Coast AAC and other community partners will tap on the pop-up communal facility to bring active ageing programmes closer to seniors in the vicinity. This makes it more convenient for seniors to participate in these programmes, including those living in nearby private housing estates. Seniors can look forward to programmes such as communal dining sessions and parkour. They can also make use of the exercise stations within the park to stay active.

4.             In addition, Montfort Care will be setting up a new AAC at the Marine Parade MRT incidental space in Joo Chiat, another innovative use of public space.

5.             Existing AACs have also been using innovative ways of reaching out to seniors. These include:

i)      Presbyterian Community Services Hannah AAC will trial a “mobile AAC” concept by using vehicles to transport AAC equipment to Anak Bukit parks to conduct activities such as K-pop fitness;

ii)     Care Elderly @ Circuit AAC runs weekly Zumba exercises at Aljunied Park;

iii)   Blossom Seeds @ East Canberra will conduct 312 Meridien exercises at Sembawang Park; and

iv)   Care Corner AAC (Care) runs weekly active ageing activities such as arts and craft sessions, line dance, karaoke, chair Zumba and talks at Braddell View Condominium’s clubhouse.

The list of estates with enhanced access to AAC activities and services is in the Annex. The enhancements will be implemented progressively over the next 12 months.

6.             These initiatives are part of Age Well SG, a national programme led by MOH, MND and the Ministry of Transport (MOT) to support seniors to age well in their homes and their communities. A key pillar of Age Well SG is our network of AACs, which support seniors to stay active and socially engaged. In our engagements with seniors, many recognise the value of AACs in helping them stay active and socially engaged. Many have also expressed interest in having these active ageing activities closer to home.

7.             MND and the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) will continue to work with MOH and AIC to identify more sites for AACs in private housing and HDB estates. Expanding these spaces will provide more platforms and opportunities for seniors to come together to build new connections and to stay active through community activities.

Enhancing Senior-Friendly Infrastructure

8.             Beyond AACs, the Government is also committed to enhancing senior-friendly infrastructure both within homes and in the estates to ensure that seniors can live more safely and comfortably.

9.             For HDB estates, MND has rolled out various initiatives, including the Silver Upgrading Programme and Neighbourhood Renewal Programme to improve infrastructure. The Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE) 2.0 programme also subsidises a wide range of senior-friendly infrastructure, including grab-bars, slip resistant floors and widened toilet entrances.

10.          For private estates, the first batch of the Estate Upgrading Programme (EUP) for Silver Estates has been launched, where estates with higher concentration of seniors and have benefitted from EUP some time ago will be selected for senior-friendly enhancements to better support their ageing residents. The scope of the EUP for Regular Estates has also been expanded to include senior-friendly enhancements. The EASE programme has been expanded to include households with seniors living in private properties, and eligible households can benefit from subsidies to offset the cost of installing senior-friendly fittings.

11.          MND and URA will continue to study more ways to better integrate age-inclusive and senior-friendly features and amenities into our estates. These efforts will be incorporated into the ongoing review for the Draft Master Plan 2025 so as to ensure a more liveable and inclusive city for our seniors to age actively and independently.

MINISTRY OF HEALTH

MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT