The Importance of Creating an Aged Friendly Urban Environment

Background

The ageing population in Singapore has been rapidly increasing in recent years, and it has even been projected that by 2030, 1 in 4 Singaporeans will be aged 65 and above. In order to adapt to elderlies’ needs, it is essential for society to ensure that our environment is age-friendly. Hence, we must work on further incorporating age-friendly aspects into our urban environment and encourage our society to adopt an open-mindset towards an ageing society.

The aim of this paper is to discuss Singapore’s progress in building an age-friendly environment and the challenges faced in creating one. Scope We will be highlighting the steps taken by the government to create an age-friendly urban environment through the financial, social and environmental aspects, and identify one key challenge that Singapore faces in doing so. Discussion To fully comprehend the importance of an age-friendly environment, one must be able to first understand what that encompasses.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), it is where health, well-being and participation is ensured for elderlies as they age. Attributes include easy accessibility, equality, safety, supportiveness and inclusiveness. Support for the elderlies focuses on people-centred services to enable recovery or compensate for the loss of functions, to encourage them to continue pursuing their passions. In an effort to develop urban cities into age-friendly ones, the WHO active ageing framework strives to enhance the lives of the aged by improving on the health, participation and security aspects of society.

According to the guideline, an age-friendly city is characterised by 5 factors. Firstly, it must recognise the wide range of abilities among the elderly. Secondly, it must anticipate and respond to ageing-related needs and preferences. Thirdly, life decisions and choices of the aged should be respected. Fourthly, it must protect elderlies who are most vulnerable in society. Lastly, it should promote the inclusion of elderlies in all aspects of society. Singapore can benefit from having an age-friendly urban environment. According to the WHO, when elderlies are supported by a cohesive infrastructure, family members feel more at ease, resulting in reduced stress and worry.

Companies are able to flourish by tapping on the expertise and experience of the silver workforce. In an effort towards creating an age-friendly urban environment, the government has carried out numerous initiatives in the areas of housing, healthcare, employment and infrastructure. Senior-friendly homes have been created where safety features are installed to help seniors manoeuvre easily and safely around their homes.

The government ensures that the elderly have access to affordable and quality healthcare, as well as housing through the provision of schemes and subsidies. The Tri-generational Flat scheme ensures that the elderly can continue living with their children and receive emotional support, hence reducing the risk of isolation (Loo, 2013). To encourage elderlies to lead an active lifestyle, the People’s Association Wellness Programme organizes regular health screenings and exercise programs. Working is not only seen as a source of income for seniors but also a way to live actively with a sense of fulfilment (National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre, 2017).

Therefore, the government has implemented the Retirement and Re-employment Act which requires companies to offer re-employment to their staff till the age of 67, and has distributed grants to assist companies in creating an age-friendly workplace. However, there is a key challenge in building an age-friendly environment. Some residents openly express their disdain for the elderly, and often isolate them from society. Their discriminatory attitude hinders senior homes from being built as they refuse to accommodate to the elderly (Seow Bei Yi, 2017). This puts the government in a dilemma as both parties are important, hence a balance must be carefully reached in order to satisfy their differing needs.

Conclusion

Therefore, creating an age-friendly urban environment is important for Singapore’s advancement as a whole. Also, as citizens of Singapore who in their younger days have contributed to building this nation, they deserve to peacefully enjoy their days as elderlies happily and worry-free. By having a cohesive framework for an age-friendly urban environment, it benefits both the present and future generations of Singaporeans. Through considering the challenges and recommendations mentioned, Singapore can potentially become a more age-friendly environment.

Recommendations

In order to achieve an inclusive community that is accepting of both the elderly and an age-friendly environment, a change of mindset is necessary through public education. One way to achieve this is to teach about consideration and compassion towards elderlies in school (Mehta, 2013). If youths, who are the future of our society, learn about the importance of being considerate towards the elderly, they will carry these values with them as they age. Apart from merely respecting their elders, schools can teach students to be more compassionate and accepting of elderlies, and how they can help shape Singapore into an age-friendly environment.