Collection of Data on Lonely Deaths for Social Support Intervention Planning for Vulnerable Individuals

38 Ms Gho Sze Kee asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health whether the Ministry will consider collecting data on lonely deaths and sharing it with social agencies, so they can better plan interventions and improve social support for vulnerable individuals.

Mr Ong Ye Kung: The Ministry of Health does not have the number of residents who die alone in their homes.

Our focus is to reach out to and support seniors, especially those living alone. It is only through effective outreach and befriending that we can prevent such deaths. This requires the collaboration of many community partners – Silver Generation Ambassadors, volunteers of Active Ageing Centres, grassroots and other volunteers. Grassroots advisers are in a unique position to help organise and lead these community resources.