In the heart of Potong Pasir, a new initiative is taking root to ensure that seniors can enjoy their silver years with strength and mobility.
Alex Yeo, Member of Parliament for Potong Pasir SMC, recently kickstarted a pilot programme offering subsidised bone density tests.
He joined the first batch of residents at Mount Alvernia Hospital to kick off this preventive healthcare initiative, which aims to tackle one of the most significant, yet often overlooked, health concerns facing Singapore’s ageing population: osteoporosis.
Proactive care for bone health
For Mr Yeo, the importance of preventive healthcare cannot be overstated. With Singaporeans enjoying some of the longest lifespans globally, averaging 85 for women and 84 for men, the focus must shift toward maintaining a high quality of life.
“We must also hope to enjoy a higher quality of life in our silver years,” Mr Yeo remarked during the launch. “And the only way to do that is to keep healthy, keep active”.
The programme specifically targets bone health because of the devastating impact a fall can have on a senior’s independence. Weak bone density often leads to serious injuries that causes one’s health to deteriorate very quickly. By identifying those at risk early, the program empowers seniors to take preventive measures before a crisis occurs.
Mr Yeo has encountered many such cases in his house visits and grassroots work.
“If a senior encounters a fall at home and for whatever reason suffered bone injury, their health tends to deteriorate very quickly […] this is something that will cause them to lose mobility,” Mr Yeo explained. “We hope that even in the event of a fall, they are better able to recover and continue having a good quality of life.”
Mr Yeo’s commitment to this cause is not new.
His interest in senior wellness in Potong Pasir is a continuation of the work he and his team have previously been doing in other constituencies, where he collaborated with geriatrician Dr Carol Tan to establish similar preventive healthcare programmes.
The importance of this issue to Mr Yeo, is also marked by another milestone: one of his very first speeches in Parliament focused on the importance of addressing bone health and osteoporosis in seniors.
Scaling the impact
The pilot programme is off to a strong start, with an initial group of 23 seniors undergoing tests. The Potong Pasir team have more lofty goals, however. Mr Yeo intends to reach a total of 300 seniors over the next year.
To get more Potong Pasir residents signed up for this test, sponsors have stepped in to support the program financially.
While the estimated cost for the full process, including doctor pre-consultation by a specialist, the bone mineral densitometry scan, and a review of the bone mineral densitometry test result by a specalist—is approximately $560, Potong Pasir residents are only asked for a co-payment of $60. The remaining amount is fully subsidised.
A seamless experience
Residents have praised the programme for its efficiency. The process includes arranged transportation from Potong Pasir Community Club to Mount Alvernia Hospital, ensuring that even those with limited mobility can participate.
Participants have described the medical consultation and test as “fuss-free,” with enough time for residents to enjoy a post-test cup of coffee!
Through this initiative, Potong Pasir is setting a standard for community-led preventive care. By lowering the barriers to essential health screenings, Mr Alex Yeo and his team are ensuring that “stronger and healthier bone health” is an achievable goal for every senior in the constituency.
