650 more day activity places for adults with disabilities by 2021

SINGAPORE — With the average waiting time to get a place at a day activity centre stretching from three to six months in some cases, the Ministry of Social and Family Development is looking to add 650 more places by 2021 to meet demand. 

This will bring to a total 1,700 day activity spaces by 2021, catering to those aged 18 to 55 with conditions including autism and physical disabilities. At the centres, participants may spend up to six hours daily engaged in craftwork, physical exercises and other activities that hone their daily living skills.

Social and Family Development Minister Tan Chuan-Jin, who spoke at the opening of the Eden Centre for Adults in Clementi yesterday, said that 500 new places at day activity centres would be added over the next five years. 

Of these new places, half will be for adults with autism. 

The new spots will be created by expanding the capacity of 23 existing daycare centres, while around 50 places will come from a centre located in a residential adult disability home that will be ready by 2018. Two new centres opening this year will also create another 150 places together.

Mr Tan acknowledged the needs of the community given that the number of autism cases would increase over time — with about 400 diagnosed yearly — and he said the caregivers also need avenues for respite.

At the Eden Centre, managed by The Autism Association, families may choose to have their autistic family members take part in social activities on Saturdays as well. 

The association is also planning to pilot a programme with guidelines and training resources to help families design simple day-to-day programmes at home to equip autistic adults with self-care and social skills. 

Mr Tan said: “The best model ... is really home care, there is where your loving environment is, but it is important for us to provide support as well, because some conditions can be very trying.”

He added that guiding caregivers on planning home activities would give them confidence, so that they do not end up feeling helpless or that they must take their loved ones to the activity centres.

A mother, who wanted to be known only as Madam Foo and whose child is enrolled at the new Clementi facility, was glad for the support: “Even if we don’t have a full-time job, we can’t keep our eyes on our children 24/7.”

Still, costs remain a concern for parents who can pay up to S$1,200 a month to these centres, depending on their household income. 

One parent, who gave her name as just Mrs Khor, said: “It is quite expensive as this is something which is long-term. It’s not like paying for a child’s university tuition fees, and after three years, that’s it.”

Beyond increasing physical infrastructure, Mr Tan noted that manpower for the social service sector would be a challenge with the tight labour market. 

Eden Centre at Clementi has reached half of its capacity since opening last June and is expected to reach its full capacity of 40 spaces by the middle of this year. It is already working with volunteers living in the estate to boost manpower needs and intends to grow the volunteer pool further.