Seniors voice wish to live independently in supportive community

Many seniors who were at a focus group discussion on Saturday hoped to age in place and live independently in a supportive community.

The discussion was the second in a series to get Singaporeans to come up with strategies to help the elderly age successfully under the national action plan for ageing. It will look into eight areas, including lifelong learning, health and wellness and retirement adequacy.

More than half of the 44 participants at the discussion were above 60 years old. Most said they would rather live in the same flat as they age than move in with their children.

Even if they require more assistance, many preferred right-sizing their apartment or turning to other options, such as living in a retirement village. Some said they did not want to force family members to take care of them, citing changing social dynamics and generational differences.

Participants asked for more to be done to create a better environment for community integration among seniors, such as providing better spaces for daily communal activities such as cooking and eating.

They also suggested outreach initiatives, such as training “senior ambassadors” — who may be younger seniors physically fit enough to do regular house visits, but are old enough to empathise with the concerns of their charges — to interact with lonely seniors.

“They probably want to feel that ‘I can be as independent as I can for as long as I want to, for as long as I’m able to’, be it financially or even physically ... They do not mind or would want to live near their children, so emotional support can be available. But, at the same time, they want to be as independent as they can,” said Dr Mohamad Maliki Osman, Minister of State (National Development) of the feedback.

“Many of the seniors spoke about the need for the community to come together — neighbours coming together to support one another, recognise and identify vulnerable elderly neighbours, for example. I think that’s also quite positive, because I think many are beginning to realise we need to build a community that’s mutually supportive of one another,” he added. LOKE KOK FAI