Singapore is an ageing population, and some governments would call this a crisis situation.
But I am deeply impressed with the manner in which the Government here has prepared for this. Policies have been implemented to provide senior citizens with opportunities, medical and transport subsidies, skills upgrading courses and social and recreational activities.
Rightly, it has not overdone welfare for seniors, which may result in abuse, and its efforts to work with citizens and corporates to ensure family and financial support for the elderly should be lauded. At the same time, senior citizens are accorded respect and recognised as important to the growth of the nation. This stands in contrast with some countries that struggle to sustain the higher levels of welfare provided to their elderly.
Nonetheless, more can be done for those living in homes for the aged, voluntarily or due to personal circumstances. One idea is to co-locate them with hostels for students. The objective is to foster more mingling between the young and the aged. This will bring about respect and understanding of the elderly and help create a more positive living environment for them.
The young will get a first-hand glimpse of the elderly going about their daily business through their interactions and understand what community living and social responsibility are all about.
Homes for the elderly should be little different from the other homes we are familiar with. They simply have features to cater to the physical and mental needs of the elderly. They are not homes to be shunned by the public or built in secluded locations. We must make it a point to create a culture that is more inclusive. After all, we will all age some day.
Co-locating elderly homes and student hostels is a start in the right direction to cultivate in our young the virtues of care, concern, respect, sharing and understanding.
We have but one life and it should be led purposefully to the very end. Let us help the elderly achieve that, with love and dignity.
