Measures to Address Public Health Impact of Loneliness among Seniors

NOTICE PAPER NO. 2075 
NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR WRITTEN ANSWER
FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON 2 AUGUST 2023

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Mr Yip Hon Weng
MP for Yio Chu Kang

Question No. 4873

To ask the Minister for Health (a) what measures is the Ministry taking to address the public health impact of loneliness among seniors and mitigate the associated negative health outcomes; (b) how does the Ministry plan to tackle the stigma surrounding loneliness and create a supportive environment that encourages seniors to seek assistance and support for their feelings of loneliness; and (c) how will the Ministry ensure that existing initiatives effectively reach and support older adults, including those who live with family but suffer from loneliness.

Answer

1        As explained earlier, as our society ages, we need three healthcare subsystems – acute care, preventive care and aged care – to work in concert. In developing the aged care system, the Ministry of Health (MOH) is stepping up efforts to combat social isolation and draw seniors out of their homes to keep them socially connected. Social connectedness is a major social determinant of health. 

2        We will leverage on the Silver Generation Office to conduct outreach to such seniors, and Active Ageing Centres (AACs) to be staging points for seniors to participate in community activities and be part of a social support network.  

3        Battling social isolation will need to be a multi-stakeholder community effort, involving the People’s Association and grassroots organisations, SG Cares Volunteer Centres, healthcare clusters, AACs and other community partners.