ACTION PLAN FOR SUCCESSFUL AGEING

1 ACTION PLAN FOR SUCCESSFUL AGEING MINISTRY OF HEALTH Published in 2016 by the Ministry of HealthAll rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner. ISBN 978-981-09-8536-32 3 Foreword Chapter 1 Our Aspirations for a Silver Singapore How many Singaporeans are 65 or older? Public consultation: We heard youChapter 2 ACTION Plan for SUCCESSFUL AgeingChapter 3 Opportunities for All Ages Chapter 4 Kampong for All AgesChapter 5 City for All AgesTowards A Nation For All AgesAcknowledgementsCONTENTS46 8 102430526280814 5 FOREWORDGan Kim YongMinister for Health and Minister-in-charge of AGEING IssuesChairman of the Ministerial Committee on AgeingLet s re-define ageingLast year, we celebrated a significant milestone for Singapore.

2 Our baby boomers have grown up with our nation and the majority will turn 65 over the next two decades. There is no better time to plan for an AGEING population as we progress towards SG100. This ACTION Plan is our blueprint to enable Singaporeans to grow older with confidence. Between June 2014 and May 2015, we engaged Singaporeans in conversations about AGEING and what it means to age successfully. This ACTION Plan contains their ideas, suggestions and plans. We hope that Singapore will remain a good place to grow old in, where there are opportunities for Singaporeans of all ages.

3 We want to build a cohesive kampong for all ages, where there is inter-generational harmony and understanding. Our city will be a city for all ages, designed sensitively and lovingly for seniors to age gracefully among family, friends and neighbours, leveraging on the potential of modern technology. I would like to thank everyone who has participated and contributed ideas, and the people and private sector organisations for working with us on the initiatives in this ACTION Plan. Together, we can re-define AGEING and build a Nation for All Ages which we are proud to call OUR ASPIRATIONS FOR A SILVER SINGAPORECHAPTER 1 Singapore is AGEING rapidly, though our society can remain dynamic and cohesive.

4 Many Singaporeans shared with us their aspirations and ideas on how to transform the face of AGEING in the next 50 7 8 9 1970 YEAR20152030 HOW MANY SINGAPOREANS ARE 65 OR OLDER1?OUR POPULATION IS AGEING 1970, 1 in 31 Singaporeans was 65 or older. In 2015, it was 1 in 8. By 2030, it will be 1 in 4. We will have over 900,000 seniors, approximately double the current 440, we have fewer babies, there will be far fewer Singaporeans of working age to support our in 311 in 81 in 41970 YEAR20152030 Seniors aged 65 and aboveSingaporeans under the age of 65 AGEING need not cause worry and gloom.

5 If we plan ahead, AGEING can be a positive experience for Residents are also LIVING LONGER AND STAYING HEALTHY FOR adults aged between 20 and 64 Seniors aged 65 and above1 Source: Department of Statistics & Epidemiology and Disease Control Division, LIFE MORE LIFE YEARSYEAR 2010 YEAR 2004 AVERAGE HEALTHY YEARS MORE HEALTHY 2010 YEAR 200410 11 Public consultation WE HEARD YOU Between June 2014 and May 2015, the Ministerial Committee on AGEING and our partners engaged over 4,000 Singaporeans from all walks of life to hear their aspirations and ideas on how we can help Singaporeans age well.

6 10 TOPICS THAT WERE DISCUSSED12345 EMPLOYABILITY Ageless workplaces, lifelong employabilityLIFELONG LEARNING Never too old to go back to schoolSENIOR VOLUNTEERISM Helping others, fufilling livesHEALTH AND WELLNESS Healthy seniors, happy seniorsSOCIAL ENGAGEMENT AND INCLUSIONC onnecting people of all ages678910 AGED CARE SERVICES AGEING -in-place, remaining independentHOUSING Supporting changing needsTRANSPORT Re-defining the travel experiencePUBLIC SPACES Making our urban infrastructure more senior-friendlyRESEARCHON AGEING Understanding needs, encouraging innovation Participants included Singaporeans from various walks of life students, taxi drivers, academics, rental block residents, senior volunteers, grassroots leaders, senior learners and human resource practitioners.

7 We also consulted union members, and reached out to different communities the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) and self-help groups such as the Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC), Mendaki and the Singapore Indian Development Association (SINDA). Almost 50 focus group discussions Listening points at public spaces like libraries, shopping malls and universities Online consultations12 13 Many seniors want to work beyond the official retirement age to remain financially independent and keep themselves active. Seniors hope to have meaningful job opportunities to fulfil their aspirations at their stage of life; a fair and inclusive workplace to work in; and an enabling workplace that is safe and uses technology to help them excel in their make workplaces ageless , suggestions from seniors and employers include: Re-design jobs to offer older workers greater flexibility.

8 Make training accessible and effective for older workers. Set up a dedicated seniors-only national job LEARNING Never too old to go back to schoolSuggestions on how to encourage more seniors to pursue lifelong learning as a way of life include: Accessibility Increase the variety of learning options. Seniors want to take courses at Institutes of Higher Learning but without sitting for want to keep learning, for work and for personal interest. Learning helps them to keep their minds active and to stay in touch with society. Seniors cite affordability, access and entry requirements as some barriers to lifelong learning.

9 Seniors hope to see a more diverse range of learning opportunities that are easily accessible. They also want courses tailored for their age and to be recognised for skills and experiences they have acquired. They also feel that more can be done to publicise learning opportunities for seniors. Promote workplace health and safety. Review or extend retirement age some think it should be extended to 70, while others feel it should be abolished entirely. Provide good career guidance and transition programmes a few years ahead of the re-employment age.

10 Promote mind-set change among employers on the value of older workers. Allow older workers to try out jobs via internships or job trials. Recognise employers who treat older workers well. Promote inter-generational workplace Ageless workplaces, lifelong employability1I want to work for as long as I can. It keeps my mind active. 2 Bring learning to the community, such as at Residents Committee centres and other suitable Help seniors to offset the cost of education Train teachers in the art of teaching older learners. Facilitate peer learning where seniors teach seniors.