SG50 Seniors Package Sees Good Participation Among Seniors In First Two Months Since Its Launch

SG50 SENIORS PACKAGE SEES GOOD PARTICIPATION AMONG SENIORS IN FIRST TWO MONTHS SINCE ITS LAUNCH

-      Eligible seniors have enjoyed the package with family and friends

SINGAPORE: 30 July 2015 – Eligible seniors are enjoying the goodies offered in SG50 Seniors package since its launch in Mayaccording to various partners working with the Ministerial Committee on Ageing. The package, containing more than 200 types of Dining, Leisure, Lifelong Learning, Lifestyle and Wellness offers, was launched in recognition of our seniors’ contribution to nation building and to encourage seniors to “Stay Active. Live Well.”

Under the Leisure deals, some 50,000 free admissions were given to seniors at Jurong Bird Park, Singapore Zoo and Gardens by the Bay.

Dr Cheng Wen-Haur, Chief Life Sciences, Wildlife Reserves Singapore said, “For more than four decades, Jurong Bird Park and Singapore Zoo have been destinations of choice where families spend quality time to bond as well as to engage with nature and wildlife; visiting the parks have become part of growing up in Singapore. As part of SG50 celebrations, we are proud to host complimentary visits for over 27,000 senior citizens to our parks in June this year, a 14-fold increase as compared to the same period last year.” 

Gardens by the Bay offers free admission into both its conservatories - Cloud Forest and Flower Dome - for eligible seniors age 60 and above, 50% off entry for one accompanying caregiver, as well as 50% off its 1-Year Friends of the Gardens membership.  The offer is valid until 31 August 2015, but already, it has drawn many seniors with its spellbinding Flowery Fun Times with Nursery Rhymes floral display, which recently concluded. The showcase featuring foxgloves and lupins brought to life beloved characters from popular English, Chinese, Malay and Indian nursery rhymes much to the delight of the visitors.

“Singaporeans have worked very hard to build this nation, and Gardens by the Bay was created as a place for leisure and recreation so that the community can enjoy work-life harmony. We are glad to see that Singaporeans have embraced this place as a People's Garden,” said Mr Felix Loh, Chief Operating Officer, Gardens by the Bay. “To celebrate SG50, we will be unveiling a new orchid floral display called Singapore Stories. Featuring local legends like Sang Nila Utama and Merlion, this floral tribute will resonate well with many of us in Singapore who grew up with these familiar folklore,” he added.

Of the more than 700,000 eligible senior citizens who are 60 years and older, about 516,000 had redeemed the SG50 Seniors Public Transport Vouchers as at 15 July 2015. Worth $50 each, the vouchers are sponsored by the SG50 Seniors package and the two public transport operators - SBS Transit and SMRT – through the Public Transport Fund. Seniors can continue to redeem their vouchers at TransitLink Ticket Offices or Add Value Machines until 31 December 2016.

Free courses offered through the partners of Council for Third Age (C3A) under Lifelong Learning in the SG50 Seniors package saw some 3,500 seniors participating in the courses in May and June, with another about 5,800 signing up for courses in July till September. Due to popular demand, more courses have been opened up for the August - December period.

Retiree, Ms Julie Choo, 66 who is currently enjoying the 'I'm Senior & I'm Loving It' practical social gerontology programme, said, "The course has taught me how to age meaningfully in my senior years. I learnt that age is just a number and there're many things I can do proactively at my age such as serving the community. I look forward to a field trip next Friday (31st July) to interact with beneficiaries at a senior home in Holland Road."

In a move to encourage more seniors to stay engaged with the community and lead more active and fulfilling lives, complimentary SG50 PAssion Cards were offered to Singapore Citizens and Singapore Permanent Residents aged 55 years and above. The response to this new initiative was overwhelming with over 128,000 cards issued between 14 Feb 2015 and 30 June 2015. On average, the number of new sign-ups per month grew by ten times in comparison with the period before the initiative was introduced.  The cards are valid for 5 years from the date of application.

The SG50 Seniors package is specially bundled together with the hope of fostering the concept of Active Ageing where our senior citizens are encouraged to step out with family and friends to have a good meal, take a well-earned vacation or learn a new skill.  As each offer expires on varying dates, eligible seniors are advised to fully utilise the deals before they end.

About the SG50 Seniors package

The SG50 Seniors package is an initiative by the Ministerial Committee on Ageing, supported by Tote Board and the Singapore Business Federation.  In collaboration with businesses, educational institutions and the community, the package offers exclusive benefits to eligible seniors in Singapore as a token of appreciation to them, as the nation celebrates its Golden Jubilee. The SG50 Seniors package was officially launched on 22 May 2015 by Mr Gan Kim Yong, Minister for Health, and Chairman of the Ministerial Committee on Ageing. With the SG50 Seniors package, it is hoped that eligible seniors will take advantage of the Dining, Leisure, Lifelong Learning, Lifestyle and Wellness benefits to “Stay Active, Live Well”. The SG50 Seniors package offers over 200 benefits, from free admission / discounts to places of recreation and leisure, to discounted hotels rates, cheaper package tours, promotional dining meals, and learning courses for the elderly.For details of the offers in the SG50 Seniors package, please visit www.sg50seniors.sg.