Lee Wen Qin

A0073216M
“The consequences of having a fast aging population are so far-reaching that governments need a
paradigm shift in the way they see and deal with them.” Discuss this statement in relation to your
particular field of study or interest.

The United Nations defines an aging population as one where the aging index is increasing
(UN, 2001). A fast aging population happens when the aging index, which is taken to be the number
of persons older than 60 years old per one hundred persons under 15, increases quickly. Singapore is
one such country. According the report Population In Brief from National Population Secretariat
(2010), the percentage of elderly people older than 65 years old has increased from 7% in 1999 to
8.8% in 2009. It is expected to increase to 20% in 2030 (Osman, 2008). With such a fast aging
population, Singapore has introduced many drastic changes in social policies to handle the extensive
consequences from this trend.

A fast ageing population creates a strain on the working population. Singapore has
introduced several policies to reduce the impact of such a trend. Employers in Singapore will have to
offer their employees who are 62 years old re-employment till they are 65 years old in 2012 (Lee,
2010). By increasing the working age, more elderly people can work and support themselves for a
longer period of time, thereby increasing the working population. The government has also
introduced incentives for couples to have more children. The long term effect having a higher birth
rate will increase the number of working population. Other long term policies have also been
implemented. The government has changed the Central Provident Fund Scheme to ensure that
Singaporeans save up sufficient amount of money for old age. These policies shift show that the
government is not taking chances with handling the problems that a fast ageing population creates.

As health care for the elderly is costly, many issues arise with an ageing population.
Singapore has announced new plans to ensure that elderly people who require medical attention do
not face any problem. Geriatrics often involves many areas of medical expertise and treating the
elderly is usually a long process. As the government foresees a strain on the medicinal infrastructure
and manpower when dealing with an increasing number of elderly, it has decided to introduce step-
down care in 2009 (Lee, 2009). “Step-down care means slow medicine: community hospitals, nursing
homes, GPs doing more work, home care - people taking care of sick people at home” (Lee, 2009,
paragraph 10). With step-down care, more community hospitals and nursing homes will be built so
that elderly people who do not need urgent medical attention can recuperate there instead of taking
up precious places in hospitals. The government is also planning to build a new medical school in
Nanyang Technological University in the near future to train more medical personnel specialising in
geriatrics to handle the demand (Lee, 2010). These new policies show how the government changes
its methods of handling a fast aging population.

As the number of elderly increases, housing estates and public locations have to become
equipped to help them move around. The government has to take elderly people into consideration
when building new infrastructures. The government has set up several projects such as the Main
Upgrading Project, Lift Improvement and Facilities Enhancement project as well as the introduction
of studio apartments for the elderly (Wong, 2006). These projects upgrade existing infrastructure
with elderly friendly features (Balaji, 2006). While the government has saved cost in the past by not
building these extra features, they can no longer do so when planning the architecture of new
buildings.
Lee Wen Qin
A0073216M
The proportion of elderly people in Singapore continues to grow. The consequences which
have come along with an ageing population will continue to exist and the effects will continue to
become more impactful. Singapore may have done a lot to deal with the consequences so far, it may
not be sufficient in the years to come. Singapore will have to look at other countries which have an
aging population for a long period of time presently and learn from them. As Balaji (2006) has rightly
stated, “we need to change the erroneous view that an ageing society means increased
dependency.” If the government hopes to make aging population more of an opportunity than a
challenge, it will have to keep improving and changing its social policies.

693 words

References:

Balaji, S. (2006). Committee For Aging Issues Report Retrieved October 10, 2010 from
http://www.mcys.gov.sg/successful_ageing/report/CAI_report.pdf

Lee, H.L. (2009). National Day Rally 2009 Retrieved October 10, 2010 from
http://www.pmo.gov.sg/News/Messages/National+Day+Rally+
Speech+2009+(Part+2+Healthcare).htm

Lee, H.L. (2010).National Day Rally 2010 Retrieved October 10, 2010 from
http://www.pmo.gov.sg/News/Speeches/Prime+Minister/National+Day
+Rally+2010+Speech+(English)+by+PM+Lee+at+University+Cultural+Centre+NUS.htm
Paragraph 68

Lee, H. L. (2009). PRIME MINISTER LEE HSIEN LOONG’S SPEECH AT  JURONG CENTRAL WELLNESS
CARNIVAL ON 15 MARCH 2009 Retrieved October 10, 2010 from
http://www.pmo.gov.sg/News/Speeches/Prime+Minister/PM+Lee+talks+
about+ageing+at+Jurong+Central+Wellness+Carnival.htm

Lee, K. Y. (2010). There Should Be No Retirement Age Retrieved October 11, 2010 from
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1072041/1/.html

Mehta, K. K. (ND). National Policies On Aging And Long Term Care In Singapore A Case Of Cautious
Wisdom? Retrieved October 10, 2010 from
http://www.idrc.ca/en/ev-28477-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html

National Population Secretariat (2010). Population In Brief 2010 Retrieved October 10, 2010 from
http://www.nps.gov.sg/files/news/Population%20in%20Brief%202010.pdf

Osman, M. M. B. (2008). Successful Ageing In Singapore: Role Of Housing Retrieved October 10, 2010

from
http://www.mnd.gov.sg/newsroom/Speeches/speeches_2008_PS_12112008.htm

United Nations (2001). World Ageing Retrieved October 10, 2010 from
http://www.un.org/esa/population/publications/worldageing19502050/

Wong, K. S. (2006). The Main Upgrading Project Completion Ceremony Retrieved October 11, 2010
from
http://www.mha.gov.sg/news_details.aspx?nid=MTg0-cb1o2RPR21U%3D