Expect more activity centres, home services and care facilities

A new scheme to help seniors age with dignity within their own communities was announced by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Aug 17.

- Shermaine Ang

The Age Well Neighbourhoods initiative, which aims to provide seniors with convenient access to social activities and healthcare in their neighbourhoods, is an extension of the existing national programme Age Well SG.

The Age Well SG programme, led by the Health, National Development and Transport ministries, was launched in November 2023 to help seniors age actively, stay socially connected and be cared for within their communities.

"But there is still one major issue we have to tackle - long-term care and living arrangements," PM Wong said in his National Day Rally speech.

He said Community Care Apartments, or Housing Board flats that provide health and community services to help seniors live independently, cannot be the main solution as there is a limit to how many flats can be built.

Moreover, many seniors are living on their own and do not want to move out as they are used to their current environment, he added.

The new Age Well Neighbourhoods programme extends care arrangements offered in Community Care Apartments to the wider neighbourhood.