The challenges of coping with aging and dementia in Singapore
Dementia is a clinical syndrome caused by a number of organic brain disorders that affect memory, thinking and behaviour. This disease of being ’forgetful’ is a leading contributor to disability and need for care among older people, resulting in increased cost to the society. Therefore, dementia has an enormous economic impact on health care and social service systems ($2.4 billion spent in Singapore for 2014) (Paul et al., 2016). Thus, the purpose of this essay is to provide an insight on how Singapore is coping with dementia, in terms of treatment and providing care for the patients. Next, a brief discussion is made on possible challenges faced by caregivers while taking care of …show more content…
By doing so, allows for more effective treatment to prolong the healthy lifespan of patients. As such, the government have implement various initiatives, such as mini mental state examination (MMSE), 15 items Geriatric Depression scale (GDS) to detect dementia as part of the annual health checks provided through local polyclinics and community based centres (Kwa et al., 2007). Also, mental health services is also facilitated for homebound or frail elderly, where the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) launch a community-oriented outreach services to provide door-to door clinical consultations termed as APCATS in central region of Singapore (IMH media release, 2014). The West and East region is covered by NUH and Changi Hospital respectively. However, with all these initiatives set in place, there still exists limitations in terms of meeting the healthcare needs of elderly dementia …show more content…
On a brighter note, there were less NIMBY uproar for the past two years (2015-16), many residents were more receptive and understanding after an invited visit to the completed nursing homes. Majority of them even concur that it is necessary to have such facilities, as they will ‘grow old someday’ (Seow, 2017). As Singapore advance towards a ‘greying population’, it is inevitable there will be greater demand of elderly healthcare facilities. Therefore, the challenge is still focused on changing the mindset of Singaporeans to be more receptive towards transforming to an aging friendly society.
In conclusion, as Singapore advances towards an aging society, there would definitely be an increased demand of healthcare services. The challenge would be to train sufficient healthcare professionals and facilities to meet this demand. Furthermore, there must be a balance between having more elderly homes and for Singaporeans to be more receptive towards such facilities near their house. Finally, policies made by should be geared towards changing the mindset of Singaporeans to be more accommodative towards an ageless
Dementia is a clinical syndrome caused by a number of organic brain disorders that affect memory, thinking and behaviour. This disease of being ’forgetful’ is a leading contributor to disability and need for care among older people, resulting in increased cost to the society. Therefore, dementia has an enormous economic impact on health care and social service systems ($2.4 billion spent in Singapore for 2014) (Paul et al., 2016). Thus, the purpose of this essay is to provide an insight on how Singapore is coping with dementia, in terms of treatment and providing care for the patients. Next, a brief discussion is made on possible challenges faced by caregivers while taking care of …show more content…
By doing so, allows for more effective treatment to prolong the healthy lifespan of patients. As such, the government have implement various initiatives, such as mini mental state examination (MMSE), 15 items Geriatric Depression scale (GDS) to detect dementia as part of the annual health checks provided through local polyclinics and community based centres (Kwa et al., 2007). Also, mental health services is also facilitated for homebound or frail elderly, where the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) launch a community-oriented outreach services to provide door-to door clinical consultations termed as APCATS in central region of Singapore (IMH media release, 2014). The West and East region is covered by NUH and Changi Hospital respectively. However, with all these initiatives set in place, there still exists limitations in terms of meeting the healthcare needs of elderly dementia …show more content…
On a brighter note, there were less NIMBY uproar for the past two years (2015-16), many residents were more receptive and understanding after an invited visit to the completed nursing homes. Majority of them even concur that it is necessary to have such facilities, as they will ‘grow old someday’ (Seow, 2017). As Singapore advance towards a ‘greying population’, it is inevitable there will be greater demand of elderly healthcare facilities. Therefore, the challenge is still focused on changing the mindset of Singaporeans to be more receptive towards transforming to an aging friendly society.
In conclusion, as Singapore advances towards an aging society, there would definitely be an increased demand of healthcare services. The challenge would be to train sufficient healthcare professionals and facilities to meet this demand. Furthermore, there must be a balance between having more elderly homes and for Singaporeans to be more receptive towards such facilities near their house. Finally, policies made by should be geared towards changing the mindset of Singaporeans to be more accommodative towards an ageless