Elderly Singaporeans without Family Support
Ministry of Social and Family DevelopmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the profile of elderly Singaporeans lacking family support, as raised by Dr Chia Shi-Lu regarding those reliant on state assistance or abandoned in care institutions. Minister Desmond Lee stated that over 3,300 seniors aged 60 and above received ComCare Long-Term Assistance for basic living expenses as of end-2017. Among these recipients, over 60% were male and more than 70% were aged 70 and above, with Chinese, Malay, and Indian seniors forming 85%, 8%, and 6% of the group respectively. Furthermore, over 1,000 seniors resided in MSF-funded residential homes, where approximately 80% were male and around 71% were Chinese. Minister Desmond Lee concluded that the government does not have data on seniors who have been abandoned overseas by their families.
Transcript
31 Dr Chia Shi-Lu asked the Minister for Social and Family Development with regard to the profile of elderly Singaporeans without family support (a) how many are currently totally reliant on support from the state and charitable organisations for survival; (b) how many have been abandoned overseas and in Singapore, in institutions of care; and (c) what are their gender, age group and ethnic profiles.
Mr Desmond Lee: Vulnerable elderly Singaporeans without family support may receive assistance for their basic needs under the Ministry of Social and Family Development's (MSF's) ComCare Long-Term Assistance and/or support in our sheltered and welfare homes.
ComCare Long-Term Assistance helps persons who are unable to work due to old age, illness or disability, have limited or no means of income, and have little or no family support. They receive cash assistance for their basic living expenses, and assistance for medical and other needs. As at end-2017, there were over 3,300 persons aged 60 and above receiving ComCare Long-Term Assistance. Over 60% of those assisted by ComCare Long-Term Assistance were males and more than 70% were aged 70 and above. About 85% of these persons were Chinese, 8% were Malay, and 6% were Indian.
Vulnerable seniors aged 60 and above, with weak family support and no alternative accommodation arrangements are cared for in residential homes funded by MSF and operated by voluntary welfare organisations. As at end-2017, there were slightly over 1,000 persons aged 60 and above residing in these facilities. About eight out of 10 were males, and around half were 70 years old and above. Around 71% were Chinese, 17% were Malay and 11% were Indian.
We do not have data on seniors who have been abandoned overseas by their families.