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Family, friends likeliest source of care for seniors

Recently, Channel NewsAsia’s Get Real programme featured the anguish and struggles of senior citizens living alone in one-room flats, fending for themselves despite their poor health and lack of mobility.

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Tony Lim Kheng Yee

Recently, Channel NewsAsia’s Get Real programme featured the anguish and struggles of senior citizens living alone in one-room flats, fending for themselves despite their poor health and lack of mobility.

Having fallen through the cracks in family support structures, and without social interaction, they suffer from loneliness and depression. Their numbers are growing, by choice or circumstance.

Confined to a small space, often helpless and with little or no savings, many of them have suicidal tendencies. Our Government is doing its best to address these issues. Some religious organisations and volunteer groups are also helping.

However, more must be done to increase the frequency of visits and get the old folks engaged in meaningful activities. Ideally, the first line of support should come from the family. But with smaller families nowadays, such arrangements are no longer assured.

Many parents still believe children form an integral part of the family who will care for them when they are old. Invariably, some will end up discouraged. The busy schedules of their working adult children, especially those with their own families, will result in fewer visits and less emotional support. Living close to their children is an advantage, but not necessarily a solution.

Even living under the same roof does not ensure quality interaction. Parents may still be left isolated. Therefore, older Singaporeans should be encouraged to form their own circle of friends.

They are now better educated, more computer literate and financially secure than previous generations. Using communication tools to connect actively through social networking sites should be simple for them.

We can only delay the ageing process with regular exercise and proper diet. As we edge towards childlike dependence, it is prudent to weigh the help options available. We should not take for granted that government or other aid will be provided without fail.

Domestic help is an unreliable source of caregiving and not a viable alternative. Nursing homes are not widely favoured because of the stigma of family abandonment. And with limited beds, the homes are packed and also beyond the means of the lower income.

Our spouses, family members and close friends would be the likeliest source of care when we become frail. It is in our interests to consciously build, nurture and cherish those relationships.

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