Asia Forum on Aging 2009 Convenes in Singapore 

www.chinaview.cn

January 12, 2009

China

The inaugural Asia Forum on Aging 2009 convened here on Monday with participants exchanging and collaborating for innovations on the aging phenomenon. 

International experts shared new trends and development in the key principles and frameworks on housing and community care for older persons to guide policy makers as well as service providers as they deliberate on needed policies and programmes. 

Lim Boon Heng, Minister for Prime Minister's Office of Singapore, said at the opening ceremony that both preventative care and community care should be offered to the old age. 

He said the country has introduced the Wellness Programme to help senior citizens to be physically healthy and socially engaged. In September 2007, Singapore also enhanced the Elder Shield scheme to help defray the cost of long-term care to the elderly and their care-givers. 

However, he said, "we need to consider if ElderShield is going to be sufficient. In view of our rapidly aging population, it is imperative for us to find a way to adequately provide financing for long term care for all of us." 

The three-day meeting is organized by the Tsao Foundation, the International Association of Homes and Services for the Aging and the Federation on Long Term Care in Chinese Community, and is participated by researchers, policy makers and practitioners in Asian countries. 

By 2030, one fifth of Singapore's population will be 65 years and older, which is nearly one million people, three times the number today. The United Nations estimates that by 2050, six out of every ten persons aged 65 and above will come from Asia.  

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