More can be done to enhance home-based care for elderly: MCYS
SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) said more can be done to enhance home-based care for the elderly.
Speaking in Parliament on Friday, Minister of State for Community Development, Youth and Sports, Halimah Yacob, said that an integrated home-care model has been piloted to serve this group with multiple care needs.
MCYS said it also recognises the importance of training foreign domestic workers to help families cope with the demands of caregiving. Between January 2010 to September this year, some 2,300 caregivers have benefited from a training grant, and almost all of them were foreign domestic workers.
Meanwhile, MP for Marine Parade GRC, Tin Pei Ling, made her maiden speech on the final day of the Parliament debate, appealing for help for both the old and the young.
Ms Tin urged the government to consider providing free basic healthcare to elderly Singaporeans in the public healthcare setting. She said elderly issues are close to her heart as one in three residents in her MacPherson ward is aged over 50.
She also related her experiences of speaking with elderly residents, saying many of them do not always understand the different schemes and help available to them.
Ms Tin suggested strengthening communication and offering financial counselling and advisory on payment options to help them make a more informed decision.
On youths, Ms Tin said while young people know that earlier generations have done a lot of good for Singapore, they also want to forge their own paths ahead.
She said: "The government and society need not overreact to the loud and sometimes strident debate, especially over the internet. Robust debate or even disagreement on issues shows that young people are genuinely concerned about the future of Singapore.
"We should let things take their natural course. Young people will gradually figure out for themselves the way forward, by trying out new ideas and working out which sacred cows can be slayed, and ultimately pushing the boundaries of what Singapore can achieve."
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SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) said more can be done to enhance home-based care for the elderly.
Speaking in Parliament on Friday, Minister of State for Community Development, Youth and Sports, Halimah Yacob, said that an integrated home-care model has been piloted to serve this group with multiple care needs.
MCYS said it also recognises the importance of training foreign domestic workers to help families cope with the demands of caregiving. Between January 2010 to September this year, some 2,300 caregivers have benefited from a training grant, and almost all of them were foreign domestic workers.
Meanwhile, MP for Marine Parade GRC, Tin Pei Ling, made her maiden speech on the final day of the Parliament debate, appealing for help for both the old and the young.
Ms Tin urged the government to consider providing free basic healthcare to elderly Singaporeans in the public healthcare setting. She said elderly issues are close to her heart as one in three residents in her MacPherson ward is aged over 50.
She also related her experiences of speaking with elderly residents, saying many of them do not always understand the different schemes and help available to them.
Ms Tin suggested strengthening communication and offering financial counselling and advisory on payment options to help them make a more informed decision.
On youths, Ms Tin said while young people know that earlier generations have done a lot of good for Singapore, they also want to forge their own paths ahead.
She said: "The government and society need not overreact to the loud and sometimes strident debate, especially over the internet. Robust debate or even disagreement on issues shows that young people are genuinely concerned about the future of Singapore.
"We should let things take their natural course. Young people will gradually figure out for themselves the way forward, by trying out new ideas and working out which sacred cows can be slayed, and ultimately pushing the boundaries of what Singapore can achieve."
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Jasmine Revolution
