When I Was Young

Ageing in 2030

Likely scenario for older Singaporeans in 20 years' time

ESTHER NG

estherng@mediacorp.com.sg

WHAT will it be like to age in Singapore in 2030? Experts at an ageing conference yesterday threshed out four possible scenarios, starting with: Singaporeans enjoy good health and understanding between different generations.

Or, we could have strong bonds but suffer from disabilities and poor health. Else, it would be case of weak inter-generational bonds and poor health.

But the most likely scenario emerging, in the view of Minister-in-charge of ageing issues Lim Boon Heng, is that Singaporeans will enjoy good health but weaker family ties because of global trends. "Younger Singaporeans, in particular, have many opportunities to work worldwide," he pointed out. "They will leave their parents, who will age here in an empty nest."

Thus, the Government is looking at strengthening family ties. But it is also focusing on relationships between the young and old in the workplace and the neighbourhood.

"For instance, when you have an older person reporting to a younger person, what kind of issues would arise," he said, at the C3A-Oxford Institute of Ageing: Active Ageing Programme.

At some stage, he added, the Government will have to come up with a programme to help employers handle a diverse workforce of employees of various age groups.

Experts agree that Singaporeans now enjoy strong familial ties, but if we head towards the scenario of poor health and disabilities, Singapore men would have to "step up" in taking on care duties, as Singapore women would not be able to cope with the pressure of caring for children, aged parents and career, said Ms Sarah Harper, a professor of gerontology at the University of Oxford and director of the Oxford Institute of Ageing.

And with more people becoming caregivers, the way we work and shop would change. "We might see more online shopping and telecommuting" from home, said Prof Harper.

By 2030, it is possible caregivers would have to be paid by the Government, as they would not be able to work as much - and so, we could also see more assistive technology and novel work arrangements at the workplace.

"Your co-workers may be frail but they still want to contribute and they can, with the help of technology," said Prof Harper. "Or respite care at work - where you take your elderly relative to work and leave him or her in the care of a healthcare worker."

From TODAY, News – Thursday, 17-Sep-2009