Your browser does not support the PubReader view.
Go to this page to see a list of supporting browsers.
Research in Dance and Physical Activity
[ Article ]
Research in Dance and Physical Education - Vol. 2, No. 2, pp.31-54
ISSN: 2586-1034 (Online)
Print publication date 31 Dec 2018
Received 30 Oct 2018 Reviewed 30 Nov 2018 Accepted 17 Dec 2018
DOI: https://doi.org/10.26584/RDPE.2018.12.2.2.31

Policies and Efforts to Promote Wellness and Leisure in Elderly and Retirees in Singapore

Zi Jing Tay ; Aishyn Lam ; Chanmin Park*
Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Inha University, Korea

Correspondence to: * cm_park@inha.ac.kr

Abstract

Aging population is a phenomenon that is rapidly engulfing many countries in the world. Singapore is not different from others. Declining birth rates and increasing life expectancy lead this demographic transformation. Furthermore, this rapid demographic change comes with a variety of problems to the society and the economy. The individual well-being is being considered as the upmost important value. The historical policies including healthcare, financial and structural perspectives and efforts to promote wellness and leisure in elderly and retirees in Singapore context from 1970s to present were examined. Overall, Singapore government delivers various policies and efforts for the elderly and retirees to live on physically, mentally, and socially healthy life. This study contributes to fill the gap in the literature of a lack in studies examining and understanding the impact of policies and efforts of Singapore government for wellness of the elderly and retirees.

Keywords:

Elderly, Retirees, Policies, Wellness, Singapore

References

  • Abeysinghe, T., Himani, & Lim, J. (2010). Singapore’s healthcare financing: Some challenges. [https://doi.org/10.1142/9789814343947_0007]
  • Age Management Resource Portal (AMRP) (2013). WORKPRO–Towards Progressive Workplaces. Retrieved from www.age-mgt.com/web/Contents/Contents.aspx?ContId=330
  • Agency for Integrated Care (AIC). (n.d.). Singapore Programme for Integrated Care for the Elderly (SPICE) - Agency for Integrated Care. Retrieved from http://www.aic.sg/page.aspx?id=782
  • Agency for Integrated Care (AIC). (n.d.). Seniors' Mobility and Enabling Fund - Agency for Integrated Care. Retrieved from http://www.aic.sg/smf/
  • Annear, M. J., Cushman, G., & Gidlow, B. (2009). Leisure time physical activity differences among older adults from diverse socioeconomic neighborhoods. Health & place, 15(2), 482-490. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2008.09.005]
  • Asher, M. G.; Nandy, A. (2006). “Health financing in Singapore: A case for systemic reform”, International Social Security Review,59(1), [https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-246X.2005.00234.x]
  • Asher, M. G., & Nandy, A. (2008). Singapore's policy responses to aging, inequality and poverty: An assessment. International Social Security Review, 61(1), 41-60. [https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-246X.2007.00302.x]
  • Beard, J., Biggs, S., Bloom, D. E., Fried, L. P., Hogan, P. R., Kalache, A., & Olshansky, S. J. (2012). Global population aging: Peril or promise? (No. 8912). Program on the Global Demography of Aging.
  • Caldwell, L. (2003). Basing outcomes on theory: Theories of intervention and explanation. In N. Stumbo (Ed.), Client outcomes in therapeutic recreation services (pp. 67-86). State College, PA: Venture.
  • Central Provident Fund Board (CPFB). (2016a). Retirement Sum Scheme. Retrieved from https://www.cpf.gov.sg/Members/Schemes/schemes/retirement/retirement-sum-scheme
  • Central Provident Fund Board (CPFB) (2016b). CPF Life Scheme. Retrieved from https://www.cpf.gov.sg/Members/Schemes/schemes/retirement/cpf-life
  • Chand, M., & Tung, R. L. (2014). The aging of the world's population and its effects on global business. The Academy of Management Perspectives,28(4), 409-429. [https://doi.org/10.5465/amp.2012.0070]
  • Chan, D. (2015). Understanding and Addressing Social Issues in Singapore. In 50 YEARS OF SOCIAL ISSUES IN SINGAPORE (pp. 293-322). [https://doi.org/10.1142/9789814632621_0016]
  • Chan, A., & Matchar, D. B. (2015). Demographic and structural determinants of successful aging in Singapore. In Successful Aging (pp. 65-79). Springer Netherlands. [https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-9331-5_5]
  • Channel NewsAsia. (2014). Healthcare spending to hit S$12b by 2020. Retrieved from http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/specialreports/budget2014/news/healthcare-spending-to/1021468.html
  • Cheung, P., & Vasoo, S. (1992). aging population in Singapore: A case study. aging in east and south-east Asia, 77-104.
  • Chen A.J. & Cheung P. (1988). The elderly in Singapore. Phase III ASEAN Population Project on Socioeconomic Consequences of the aging of Population: Singapore Country Report. Singapore: Institute of Southeast Asian Studies.
  • Crawford, D. W., & Godbey, G. (1987). Reconceptualizing barriers to family leisure. Leisure sciences, 9(2), 119-127. [https://doi.org/10.1080/01490408709512151]
  • Crawford, D. W., Jackson, E. L., & Godbey, G. (1991). A hierarchical model of leisure constraints. Leisure sciences, 13(4), 309-320. [https://doi.org/10.1080/01490409109513147]
  • Fougère, M., & Mérette, M. (1999). Population aging and economic growth in seven OECD countries. Economic Modelling, 16(3), 411-427. [https://doi.org/10.1016/S0264-9993(99)00008-5]
  • Futagami, K., & Nakajima, T. (2002). Population aging and economic growth. Journal of Macroeconomics, 23(1), 31-44. [https://doi.org/10.1016/S0164-0704(01)00153-7]
  • Gan, K. Y. (2012). MOH 2012 Committee of Supply Speech Healthcare 2020: Improving Accessibility, Quality and Affordability for Tomorrow’s Challenges (Part 1 of 2). Speech presented at the Parliament, Singapore
  • Health Promotion Board. (2011). Health Promotion Board Launches National Physical Activity Guidelines. Retrieved from http://www.hpb.gov.sg/HOPPortal/content/conn/HOPUCM/path/Contribution%20Folders/uploadedFiles/HPB_Online/News_and_Events/News/2011/Nat%20PA%20Guidelines.pdf
  • Hebblethwaite, S. (2016). Grandparents' Reflections on Family Leisure. Journal of Leisure Research, 48(1), 69-82. [https://doi.org/10.18666/JLR-2016-V48-I1-6270]
  • Hawkins, B. A., Peng, J., Hsieh, C. M., & Eklund, S. J. (1999). Leisure constraints: A replication and extension of construct development. Leisure Sciences, 21(3), 179-192. [https://doi.org/10.1080/014904099273066]
  • Jackson, E. L., Crawford, D. W., & Godbey, G. (1993). Negotiation of leisure constraints. Leisure sciences, 15(1), 1-11. [https://doi.org/10.1080/01490409309513182]
  • Jain, R. (2007). Access to leisure: Impact of forces of liberalisation, privatisation and globalisation on socially disadvantaged groups in India.World Leisure Journal, 49(1), 15-23. [https://doi.org/10.1080/04419057.2007.9674475]
  • Jaumot-Pascual, N., Monteagudo, M. J., Kleiber, D. A., & Cuenca, J. (2016). Gender Differences in Meaningful Leisure Following Major Later Life Events. Journal of Leisure Research, 48(1), 83. [https://doi.org/10.18666/jlr-2016-v48-i1-6244]
  • Land Transport Authority (LTA). (2013). Land Transport Master Plan 2013. Retrieved from http://www.lta.gov.sg/content/dam/ltaweb/corp/PublicationsResearch/files/ReportNewsletter/LTMP2013Report.pdf
  • Lee, K. M. W. (1999) Economic and Social Implications of Aging in Singapore, Journal of Aging & Social Policy, 10(4), 73-92, [https://doi.org/10.1300/J031v10n04_05]
  • Leonardo, B., Elena, G., & Alessandra, P. (2010). The relationship between social leisure and life satisfaction (No. 0063). Department of Communication, University of Teramo.
  • Lim Tin Seng. (2012). Central Provident Fund (CPF) | Infopedia. Retrieved from http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_573_2005-01-05.html
  • Lim Kim Tong. (2014). Why so unhappy with CPF now? | Living Investment. Retrieved from https://limkimtong.wordpress.com/2014/07/23/why-so-unhappy-with-cpf-now/
  • Mannell, R. C. (1984) . A Psychology for Leisure Research. Leisure and Society 7: 13-21. [https://doi.org/10.1080/07053436.1984.10715168]
  • McGuire, F. A., Boyd, R., & Tedrick, R. T. (2004). Leisure and aging: Ulyssean living in later life. Champaign, IL: Sagamore.
  • Ministry of Community Development and Sports (MCDS). (2001). Eldercare master plan (fy2001 to fy2005).
  • Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY). (2014). MCCY - Launching national sports movement ActiveSG to help Singaporeans Live Better Through Sport. Retrieved from https://www.mccy.gov.sg/news/speeches/2014/Apr/Launch_of_ActiveSG.aspx
  • Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport (MCYS). (2006). Committee on aging issues, report on aging population. Retrieved from http://app.msf.gov.sg/Portals/0/Summary/research/CAI_report.pdf
  • Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS). (2009). Adding Life to Years! Happy, Healthy, Active Seniors. Retrieved from http://app.msf.gov.sg/portals/0/summary/publication/AddingLifetoYears.pdf
  • Ministry of Finance. (2014). Budget 2014: Opportunities for the Future, Assurance for our Seniors. Retrieved from http://www.singaporebudget.gov.sg/data/budget_2014/download/FY2014_Budget_Statement.pdf
  • Ministry of Health (MOH). (2008). Medifund Silver | Ministry of Health. Retrieved from https://www.moh.gov.sg/content/moh_web/home/pressRoom/pressRoomItemRelease/2008/medifund_silver.html
  • Ministry of Health (MOH). (2012). Healthcare Masterplan 2020. Retrieved from https://www.moh.gov.sg/content/dam/moh_web/healthscope/archive/2012/MOH%20Healthscope_July-August%202012%20Issue.pdf
  • Ministry of Health (MOH). (2015a). ElderShield | Ministry of Health. Retrieved from https://www.moh.gov.sg/content/moh_web/home/costs_and_financing/schemes_subsidies/ElderShield.html
  • Ministry of Health (MOH). (2015b). Seniors, Stay Active, Live Well – Leisure. Retrieved from https://www.moh.gov.sg/content/moh_web/sg50-seniors/benefits---privileges/leisure.html
  • Ministry of Health and Welfare. (2012). National Survey of Life among older people. Seoul, Korea: Ministry of Health and Welfare.
  • Ministry of Manpower (MOM). (2014). Factsheet on Silver Support Scheme. Retrieved from https://www.mom.gov.sg/~/media/mom/documents/budget2015/factsheet-on-sss.pdf
  • Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF). (1995). National Survey of Senior Citizens 1995. Retrieved from http://app.msf.gov.sg/portals/0/Summary/research/Materials_SC_NationalSurvey1995.pdf
  • Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF). (2005). National Survey of Senior Citizens 2005. Retrieved from http://app.msf.gov.sg/portals/0/Summary/research/NSSC-2005.pdf
  • Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF). (2011). National Survey of Senior Citizens 2011. Retrieved from http://app.msf.gov.sg/Portals/0/National%20Survey%20of%20Senior%20Citizens%202011_Complete_amended_use%20this%20CH.pdf
  • Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF). (2014). Learn More About ComCare – Ministry of Social and Family Development. Retrieved from http://app.msf.gov.sg/ComCare/Learn-More-About-ComCare
  • Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF). (2015). Retrieved from http://app.msf.gov.sg/Portals/0/SG50%20-%20Seniors%20Package.pdf
  • National Population and Talent Division (NPTD). (2012). Our Population Our Future. Retrieved from http://www.nptd.gov.sg/portals/0/news/Issues%20Paper%20-%20Our%20Population%20Our%20Future.pdf
  • National Population and Talent Division (NPTD). (2012) Occasional Paper on Marriage and Parenthood Trends in Singapore. Retrieved from http://www.nptd.gov.sg/portals/0/news/Occasional%20Paper%20on%20MP%20Trends%20_For%20Media%20Briefing%2028%20Jun%202012_w%20annex.pdf
  • Nimrod, G. (2007). Retirees' leisure: Activities, benefits, and their contribution to life satisfaction. Leisure Studies, 26(1), 65-80. [https://doi.org/10.1080/02614360500333937]
  • Phillips, D. R. (2002). aging in the Asia-Pacific region: Issues, policies and future trends. Routledge. [https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203463086]
  • Phillips, D. R., & Bartlett, H. P. (1995). Aging trends-singapore. Journal of cross-cultural gerontology, 10(4), 349-356. [https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00972334]
  • Pioneer Generation Package. (2016). Pioneer Generation Package Overview. Retrieved from https://www.pioneers.sg/en-sg/Pages/Overview.aspx
  • Raymore, L., Godbey, G., Crawford, D., & von Eye, A. (1993). Nature and process of leisure constraints: An empirical test. Leisure Sciences, 15(2), 99-113. [https://doi.org/10.1080/01490409309513191]
  • Schroll, M. (2003). Physical activity in an aging population. Scandinavian Journal of medicine & science in sports, 13(1), 63-69. [https://doi.org/10.1034/j.1600-0838.2003.20226.x]
  • Singapore Family Planning and Population Board (SFPPB). (1974). Eighth annual report of the Singapore Family Planning and Population Board 1973 (p. 44). Singapore: Singapore Family Planning & Population Board. Call no.: RCLOS 301.426 SFPPBA.
  • Singapore Family Planning and Population Board (SFPPB). (1975). Ninth annual report of the Singapore Family Planning and Population Board 1974 (pp. 2, 28, 40, 49). Singapore: Singapore Family Planning & Population Board. Call no.: RCLOS 301.426 SFPPBA.
  • Silver Pages Singapore. (2011). Interim Disability Assistance Programme for the Elderly (IDAPE). Retrieved from https://www.silverpages.sg/financial-assistance/Interim%20Disability%20Assistance%20Scheme%20For%20the%20Elderly%20(IDAPE)
  • Smith, S. L., & Godbey, G. C. (1991). Leisure, recreation and tourism. Annals of Tourism Research, 18(1), 85-100. [https://doi.org/10.1016/0160-7383(91)90041-9]
  • Sports Singapore. (2011). Retrieved from https://www.sportsingapore.gov.sg/aboutus/~/media/corporate/files/about/publications/national%20sports%20participation%20survey%202011.pdf
  • Statistics Singapore. (2006). Retrieved from http://www.singstat.gov.sg/docs/default-source/default-document-library/publications/publications_and_papers/GHS/general_household_survey_release2/chap2.pdf
  • Statistics Singapore. (2015). Population trends 2015. Retrieved from https://www.singstat.gov.sg/docs/default-source/default-document-library/publications/publications_and_papers/population_and_population_structure/population2015.pdf
  • Stephenson, J., & Scobie, G. (2002). The economics of population aging (No. 02/04). Wellington: New Zealand Treasury.
  • Teo, P. (1994) The National Policy on Elderly People in Singapore. aging and Society, 14(3), 405-427. [https://doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X00001653]
  • Teo, P. (1996). Aging in Singapore. Journal of cross-cultural gerontology, 11(3), 269-286. [https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00122705]
  • Teo, P., Mehta, K., Thang, L. L., & Chan, A. (2006). aging in Singapore: Service needs and the state. Routledge. [https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203966921]
  • The Online Citizen. (2014). “Return Our CPF” protest - the people have spoken - The Online Citizen. Retrieved from http://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2014/06/return-our-cpf-protest-the-people-have-spoken/
  • The Silver Blog. (2011). Singapore travel agents to study needs of older travellers. Retrieved from www.silvergroup.asia/2011/12/26/singapore-travel-agents-to-study-needs-of-older-travellers/
  • The Straits Times. (2015a). 'Legwork crucial' for active aging scheme to succeed, Singapore News & Top Stories - The Straits Times. Retrieved from http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/legwork-crucial-for-active-aging-scheme-to-succeed
  • The Straits Times. (2015b). More seniors in Singapore taking own lives, Singapore News & Top Stories - The Straits Times. Retrieved from http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/more-seniors-in-singapore-taking-own-lives
  • Trainor, S., Delfabbro, P., Anderson, S., & Winefield, A. (2010). Leisure activities and adolescent psychological well-being. Journal of Adolescence,33(1), 173-186. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2009.03.013]
  • Verghese, J., Lipton, R. B., Katz, M. J., Hall, C. B., Derby, C. A., Kuslansky, G., ... & Buschke, H. (2003). Leisure activities and the risk of dementia in the elderly. New England Journal of Medicine, 348(25), 2508-2516. [https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa022252]
  • Wan, F. K., & Saw, S. H. (1974). Report of the first national survey on family planning in Singapore,1973 (p. 1). Singapore: Singapore Family Planning & Population Board and National Statistical Commission. Call no.: RSING q301.426095957 WAN.
  • Wong, G. K. (2003). Quality of life of the elderly in Singapore's multi-racial society. International Journal of Social Economics, 30(3), 302-319. [https://doi.org/10.1108/03068290310460170]
  • Workforce Development Agency (WDA). (2007). Advantage! Scheme. Retrieved from http://www.wda.gov.sg/content/dam/wda/pdf/PressRelease/15082007/AnnexA..pdf