Following Up on Seniors Who Called Helplines During COVID-19 Pandemic and Restoration of Social Activities for Seniors
Ministry of HealthSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the support measures for seniors who utilized helplines during the COVID-19 pandemic and the restoration of their social routines to improve mental wellness. Mr Saktiandi Supaat inquired about government follow-up programs for those experiencing pandemic fatigue and the plans to safely resume community activities for the elderly. Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung reported that over 35,000 seniors received help via helplines, with referrals made to Family Service Centres and Active Ageing Centres for ongoing care. He noted that face-to-face classes and active-ageing programmes led by the Health Promotion Board and People’s Association have progressively restarted in alignment with safe management measures. To further support seniors, the government also provides various digital offerings through community partners to facilitate meaningful engagement while balancing health risks and emotional well-being.
Transcript
35 Mr Saktiandi Supaat asked the Minister for Health in light of the increased number of seniors who have sought assistance through helplines during the COVID-19 pandemic (a) whether there are Government programmes that follow up on these seniors who have sought helpline assistance over issues like pandemic fatigue and uncertainty; and (b) how does the Government intend to facilitate the restoration of routines and social activities for seniors, balancing the pandemic health risk with the mental wellness of seniors.
Mr Ong Ye Kung: The Government recognises that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected our seniors' social and emotional well-being, and has worked with various stakeholders to support our seniors.
Helplines are available for vulnerable seniors to receive timely support. Over 35,000 seniors have received assistance through The Seniors Helpline and CareLine during the pandemic. Seniors who need more help will be referred to appropriate agencies, such as Family Service Centres, Social Service Offices and Active Ageing Centres for continued care and follow-up.
Since November last year, we have worked with community partners to progressively resume active-ageing programmes and facilitating seniors' participation in a safe manner. The Health Promotion Board (HPB), People's Association (PA) and Council for Third Age (C3A), as well as others, restarted face-to-face classes and activities in tandem with the adjustments in the national safe management measures (SMMs). Seniors may also continue to engage meaningfully through our partners' range of digital offerings.