To address the needs of a fast-growing elderly population in Singapore, the government plans to spend S$500 million in the next four years to boost the number of nursing homes, senior activity centres and senior care centres.
Most of the aged-care facilities will be built near residential areas. 10 estates, including Jurong West, Jurong East, Hougang and Ang Mo Kio will each get a new nursing home, said the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports.
These upcoming homes will increase the number of beds by 3,300, or half of the 6,600 nursing-home beds that will be needed by 2020, added the authorities.
Moreover, 56 senior activity centres are being planned for various estates, and out of this number, 45 will be situated in 20 constituencies. There will also be 39 upcoming senior care centres, of which 21 will be located in 16 constituencies.
It is essential to build the facilities near the community “so that it is convenient for families to visit their seniors and to make it easier for the community to play a part in caring for them”, said Health Minister Gan Kim Yong.
Meanwhile, sites for elder-care facilities are selected based on factors such as the estate’s age demographic and transport accessibility, along with consultations from government agencies.
When a site is confirmed, the government will then engage the area’s residents, MPs and grassroots leaders on the facilities.
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