Eldercare providers are ramping up their suite of services and programmes to meet a wider range of needs as Singapore’s population ages. Active ageing centres have seen a jump in the number of seniors seeking support in recent years, and the demand is expected to grow rapidly. The AWWA Active Ageing Centre in Ang Mo Kio, for instance, served just 300 residents three years ago. Now, it cares for more than 2,000 seniors.
The social service agency said it plans to expand its capacity to cater to even more clients, and strengthen its holistic and mental health care. Staff at the agency actively reach out to senior residents in the area, identify those who may be vulnerable, and encourage them to join programmes that may benefit them. Ms So Man Shan, an assistant manager at the centre, said the agency previously only served residents in rental homes but now includes those who own flats and private properties as homeowners can also be vulnerable. The concept of vulnerability is changing and multiple aspects have to be assessed, including physical and mental needs, she added. Ms So said: “Some of these factors are: do they live alone? Are they socially engaged? Do they have limited social interactions? Are they also caregivers? Do they have any health, mental or cognitive needs that are not fully addressed?”
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