SINGAPORE – Seniors keen to help their peers will have up to 700,000 opportunities to do so under a new programme that encourages older people to look out for one another in Singapore’s super-aged society.
The Age Well Kakis programme will match volunteers aged 50 and above with community care opportunities that suit their interests, abilities and availability, and even provide a stipend.
It aims to alleviate social isolation as more Singaporeans live longer, but a gap remains between their lifespan and their healthspan – the years spent in good health.
“A caring community is not simply one that looks after its seniors. It is one where seniors also look out for one another,” said Senior Minister of State for Health Tan Kiat How on Oct 30, as he announced the new initiative at the opening of the National Celebration of Seniors event.
“When we give our seniors opportunities to contribute, we help them find friendship, purpose and joy – and we make our communities stronger.”
In September, Singapore officially became a super-aged society, with more than 21% of the citizen population aged 65 and older.
Under Age Well Kakis, seniors can volunteer for tasks such as accompanying peers to medical appointments, delivering meals and supporting the planning and logistics of active ageing activities.
It builds on existing senior volunteerism efforts under Age Well SG.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) expects around 16,500 seniors to take up the volunteer opportunities over two years.
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