Almost 1 in 3 Singaporeans unwilling to send elders to a nursing home

Check out what their preferred alternatives are.

With Singapore already passing the half-way mark to hit 900,000 seniors, or citizens above 65 years old, by 2030, NTUC Income and the Lien Foundation collaborated on a survey to gauge Singaporeans' aspirations and concerns about growing old in Singapore.

The study, which surveyed 998 respondents between 30 and 75 years old in Singapore found that growing old tops their worries with 8 in 10 saying so. Running out of savings is next.

The survey also revealed that three in four respondents were concerned about ‘ageing in place’. This refers to the ability of an individual to live in one’s own home and community safely, independently and comfortably, regardless of age, income or ability level.

Those aged below 60 years old were the most concerned about ‘ageing in place’ (80% of those aged 30-44 years old, 81% of those aged 45-59 years old, compared to their older (75% of those aged 60-75 years old) counterparts.

Running in tandem with the respondents’ concern about ‘ageing in place’, 78% of them preferred to stay in their own home, independently or with their spouses during their silver years. This preference was the strongest amongst the seniors (84% of them) compared to their younger counterparts (73% of those aged 30-44 years old and 77% of those who are 45-59 years old).

Alternative living arrangements such as a retirement village or a senior’s apartment were the preferred choices for the younger set (30-44 years old) while those aged 60 to 75 years old opted for a senior’s apartment (66% of them) and nursing home (58% of them).

Interestingly, while one in two respondents were willing to stay in a nursing home themselves, they were less prepared to send a family member to one. Nearly one in three were strongly against it.

Awareness amongst respondents about aged care services which include elderly day care centres, nursing homes, home care and respite service was high. More than eight in ten respondents were aware of such services with nursing home recording the highest awareness level (88% of respondents), followed by day care centre (86%), home care (62%) and respite service (30%).

Amongst the respondents, two in ten had a relative staying (or stayed in the past) in either an elderlyday care centre or a nursing home.

The lack of time, space at home, expertise and social support were key factors that respondents cited for the need of quality aged care services in Singapore