SINGAPORE — About 100,000 more households with elderly members will benefit from a scheme that subsidises improvement work to make Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats elderly-friendly, under revised criteria.

First, the HDB has lowered the age criterion for the programme, under which fittings such as grab bars, ramps and slip-resistant treatment to floor tiles in bathrooms are installed to help elderly family members move around their flats.

Singapore citizen households with an elderly family member at least 65 years old and above will now be eligible to directly apply for this scheme, called Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE). Previously, the age requirement was 70.

Those aged between 60 and 64 who require assistance for at least one activity of daily living — such as bathing, dressing and feeding — are now also eligible for the scheme. Previously, this group had to be aged between 65 and 69.

The HDB has also extended the scheme to cover the second toilet in households with two bathrooms. Previously, fittings were installed only in one toilet for each household.

Commenting on the changes on his blog yesterday, National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan said the scheme had been well-received since it was introduced in 2012. “EASE seeks to prevent falls at home, a major cause of hospital admission. Many seniors have told me they can now move around at home with peace of mind,” he said.

He cited the example of Madam Hong Xiudan, who went through a difficult period after her husband suffered a stroke. She had written to Chinese daily Lianhe Zaobao, thanking those who had assisted her, including the rehabilitation therapist who had helped her family apply for EASE. “She said the HDB swiftly installed the EASE improvement items in her flat, facilitating her husband’s return from the hospital,” Mr Khaw said.

He added that the changes to the scheme were introduced in response to feedback from hospitals, beneficiaries and their caregivers.

Under the scheme, the Government provides a subsidy of up to 95 per cent of the total cost of the improvement work. If residents opt for the full expanded scope of fittings, the total cost will be S$2,500 for each flat, up from S$2,000 previously.

With the subsidy, Singapore citizen households will need to pay only between S$125 and S$312.50, depending on flat type.

For more information on the programme, visit the HDB InfoWEB or call the EASE toll-free hotline at 1800-9332990 from 8am to 5pm on weekdays (excluding public holidays).