1. Singapore Ageing Population and Volunteering Statistics and Interpretation
By: Julian Choo

2. Notes Statistics may not always be accurate!
The interpretations in these slides are my own and do not represent the views of the organisations that I am volunteering with.
Hyperlink at bottom right = my source
Text in yellow box = my interpretations

3. Number of elderly forecasted to reach 900000 by 2030
Everyone can benefit if we recognise their potential
Committee on Ageing Issues: Report on the Ageing Population (2006)

4. elderly in Singapore
32000 in 1/2-room flats. These are the main targets for befriending since they probably stay alone.
Lions Befrienders has 600 active (minimum once in 2 weeks) volunteers, serving 3000 elderly. What about the other 29000? In fact, anyone can feel lonely…but we need more befrienders before we can even think beyond these

5. (Long Term Assistance is also known as Public Assistance/PA)
Singaporeans are quite ok financially, elderly PA holders (2961) are less than 1% of the elderly population (460900)
What they need more is company

6. 10% of people aged 60+ have dementia Only 3% 20 years ago
28000 aged 60+ had dementia in 2012
Forecasted to increase to by 2030
Dementia rates are rising and can affect anyone.
Nearly 21% of people aged 80+ showed signs of depression
Only 10% of those surveyed lived alone
Depression can lead to suicide
Depression, like loneliness and dementia, can affect anyone.
126 people aged 60+ committed suicide in 2014 (27% of total suicides)
79 in 2000 (23% of total suicides)
Suicide rates have increased, especially among elderly.
Dementia, depression and suicide rates appear to be increasing, mainly from lack of mental stimulation and social interaction. With support from friends and family, these risks can be reduced. For those who don’t have any family, befrienders can provide the next best thing.

7. Drop of 25 million hours since 2012
Drop of 25 million hours since Increase in “average volunteer hours” came from more committed volunteers

8. Only 36% of 17.8% of the population are volunteering at least once a month…I am not sure how much impact volunteers can make if it’s less often than that

9. Other forms of eldercare support
People’s Association
Agency for Integrated Care
Financial Assistance
Caregivers Training Grant (CTG)
Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS)
Foreign Domestic Worker Grant (FDWG)
Foreign Domestic Worker Levy Concession (FDWLC)
Interim Disability Assistance Programme for the Elderly (IDAPE)
Medical Fee Exemption Card
Pioneer Generation Disability Assistance Scheme (PioneerDAS)
Seniors Mobility and Enabling Fund (SMF)
Care Services
Community Health Centre
Dementia Day Care
Home Medical
Home Nursing
Home Personal Care
Home Therapy
Meals-on-Wheels (MOW)
Medical Escort and Transport (MET)
Rehabilitation Day Care
Senior Activity Centre