Living up to the ethos of #HealthierSG, here is a quick look at how our MPs support and care for our seniors, ensuring that they live out their golden years in good health and safety, surrounded by joy and laughter.
Keeping our seniors fit and healthy
As part of Project Silver Screen, seniors in Singapore can now receive a functional screening right at their doorstep to ensure their eyes, ears, and mouth are in good health. Our Clementi community are glad to host nurses and doctors from the Singapore National Eye Centre who made the trip with their specialised equipment, helping seniors with their eye screening, noted MP Dr Tan Wu Meng (Jurong GRC).
At another functional health screening across the island, MP Dr Koh Poh Koon (Tampines GRC) shared that with results made available on the spot, seniors were able to get immediate advice on how to get fitted for spectacles, hearing aids and dentures at affordable costs, along with referrals for follow-up care at the polyclinics.
Meanwhile, MP Ms Mariam Jaafar (Sembawang GRC) is on a mission, galvanising volunteers to join her to check in on the approximately 8000+ seniors in the Woodlands area and help them enrol in HealthierSG. “If you, like me, have felt sadness whenever you read about seniors dying alone, please consider joining us. We need all the help to take care of our seniors,” she shared.
Transforming our built environment
These wayfinding murals are part of our efforts to help residents with dementia navigate around the estate safely, shared Minister for Manpower Dr Tan See Leng. With Marine Parade Constituency designated as a Dementia Friendly Community, our seniors can look forward to changes that would make their neighbourhood safe and easy to navigate, including bigger signages, distinctive landmarks and easier accessibility to shops and services.
Given the considerable number of seniors in Toa Payoh East, MP Mr Saktiandi Supaat (Bishan–Toa Payoh GRC) has been engaging with them to share about the benefits of the Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE) program during his regular house visits. This programme can help elderly residents install improvements in their flats, making them more elderly-friendly and help improve mobility and comfort, said MP Saktiandi.
Acting on residents’ feedback, MP Mr Christopher de Souza (Holland–Bukit Timah GRC) announced a new Silver Zone at a bend along Ghim Moh Road towards Ghim Moh Market. With many seniors using this crossing, the change will help reduce the speed of oncoming traffic and include places on traffic islands where our seniors can rest before crossing the next half of the road, he added.
Building social connections
Weekly food rescue sessions are a great way to bring together people, young and old, from all walks of life to serve the community, observed MP Ms Gan Siow Huang (Marymount SMC). But besides saving the environment and reducing food wastage, it is also one of the many ways we support seniors with their cost of living.
The Kampong spirit is alive in MacPherson, shared MP Ms Tin Pei Ling (MacPherson SMC) as she joined her constituents for a potluck party. According to MP Tin, this annual tradition has been going on for many years and spans three generations. It is indeed a heartening sight to witness the intergenerational bonds between the young and old.
Considering how playing mahjong helps keep the mind agile, it might explain why our community clubs hold regular sessions for everyone to join in. “Great to see elderly residents and young students coming together over a battle of wits and skills,” said MP Mr Chee Hong Tat (Bishan–Toa Payoh GRC). Of course, it is strictly in the name of fun, and no money is involved in these sessions.
In recognition of our seniors, the PAP Seniors Group (PAPSG) will be celebrating the International Day of Older Persons (IDOP) this Saturday (23 Sep). To find out how the PAP intends to champion our seniors, remember to follow Petir.sg for the latest news.
Photo Source: Tan Wu Meng/ Koh Poh Koon/ Mariam Jaafar/ Tan See Leng/ Christopher de Souza/ Saktiandi Supaat/ Gan Siow Huang/ Derrick Goh/ Chee Hong Tat/ Lee Hsien Loong via Facebook