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About CAI
Report on the Ageing Population
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The Committee on Ageing Issues (CAI), set up in December 2004, was tasked to build on the work done by previous committees 1. An inter-agency forum that discusses and puts up proposals related to ageing issues, the CAI is co-chaired by Senior Minister of State for Health and Information, Communication and the Arts, Dr Balaji Sadasivan, and Parliamentary Secretary for Community Development, Youth and Sports, and National Development,
Dr Mohamad Maliki Osman. The CAI has representation from the people, private and government sectors. (Click for the Composition and Terms of Reference of the CAI)
CAI's Vision
To achieve 'Successful Ageing for Singapore', i.e. to ensure that all levels of society - the individual, the family, the community and the nation - are well-prepared for the challenges and opportunities of an ageing Singapore.
To enable Singaporeans to age with dignity and security, as integral members of society, in a vibrant and socially cohesive nation. |
Desired Outcomes
The CAI seeks to achieve the vision of "Successful Ageing for Singapore", such that all levels of society are well-prepared for the challenges and opportunities of an ageing Singapore. The CAI has the following desired outcomes:
- At the individual level, we want our seniors to be healthy, active and secure. They should age with respect and dignity, and lead independent and fulfilling lives as integral members of their families and communities;
- At the family level, we want to see strong, extended and caring families. Family relationships of interdependence should complement the seniors' independence;
- At the community level, we want a strong network of community services, opportunities for engagement and integrated communities. We want to foster a deep sense of community ownership and a high degree of participation in securing the well-being of the senior and the family; and
- At the national level, we want to develop a high level of national preparedness for the ageing population, a competitive and vibrant economy as well as social cohesion and rootedness.
Guiding Principles
The principles established by the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on the Ageing Population in its 1999 report were as follows:
- Contributions from Senior Citizens. Seniors should be valued as contributing and participating members of society, and should be enabled to remain physically, mentally and socially active for as long as possible. Our national policies must cater to seniors who are well and healthy, not just those who are frail and ill;
- Care-Giving Primarily from Families. We believe that the family is the primary care-giving unit and the bedrock of support for seniors. The family must be supported and strengthened in its ability to care for its older members to ensure that institutionalisation remains a measure of last resort; and
- Collective Responsibility from All Sectors. We should uphold the "Many Helping Hands" approach of involving the community, the family and seniors themselves in ensuring the holistic well-being of seniors. The starting point, however, must be individual responsibility to plan and prepare for old age. The family is the first line of care. The community is the second line of support to enable families in their care-giving role. The role of the State is to provide a framework that enables the individual, the family and the community to play their part.
The CAI reaffirms the three guiding principles instituted by the IMC. In fact, the last several years have confirmed the relevance and robustness of these three principles. Seniors are increasingly fit and capable; they are active contributors to society, and not simply passive members seeking support.
Members of the Committee on Ageing Issues
| Chairmen |
| Dr Balaji Sadasivan |
Senior Minister of State for Health and
Information, Communications and the Arts |
| |
| Dr Mohamad Maliki Osman |
Parliamentary Secretary for National
Development and Community Development, Youth and Sports |
| |
| Members |
| Mdm Halimah Yacob |
| Chairman |
| Government Parliamentary Committee (Health) |
| |
| Dr Warren Lee |
| Deputy Chairman |
Government Parliamentary Committee
(Community Development, Youth and Sports) |
| |
| Mr Charles Chong |
Member of Parliament for Pasir Ris-Punggol
Group Representation Constituency |
| |
| Assoc. Prof. Chin Tet Yung |
Member of Parliament for Sembawang
Group Representation Constituency |
| |
| Mrs Ow Foong Pheng |
| Deputy Secretary |
| Ministry of Manpower |
| |
| Mr Tay Kim Poh |
| 2 Deputy Secretary |
| Ministry of National Development |
| |
| Mr Lim Boon Wee |
| Deputy Secretary |
| Ministry of Transport |
| |
| Mr Lam Pin Woon |
| Chief Executive Officer |
| Health Promotion Board |
| |
| Mr Gerard Ee |
| President |
| National Council of Social Service |
| |
| Dr Mary Ann Tsao |
| President & Chief Executive Officer |
| TSAO Foundation |
| |
| Mr Laurence Wee |
| Immediate Past President |
| Gerontological Society |
| |
| Mr Vivakanandan Sinniah |
| Chief Executive Officer |
| Singapore Indian Development Association |
| |
| Mr Lee Kim Siang |
| Chairman |
Thye Hua Kuan Moral Society/
Chee Hoon Kog Moral Protection Society |
| |
| Dr Ee Chye Hua |
| Medical Director |
| Bright Vision Hospital |
| |
| Mr Ong Ah Heng |
| Executive Director |
| NTUC Eldercare Co-operative Ltd |
| |
| Mr Ong Chu Poh |
| Chairman and Managing Director |
| Econ Healthcare Limited |
| |
| Mrs Helen Ko |
| Advisor |
| St Luke's ElderCare Ltd |
| |
| Dr Ivy Ng |
| Chief Executive Officer |
| KK Women's and Children's Hospital |
| |
| Mr David Ang |
| Executive Director |
| Singapore Human Resources Institute |
| |
| Ms Chua Lee Hoong |
| Features Editor |
| The Straits Times |
| |
| Mr Mohd Raman Daud |
| Features Editor |
| Berita Harian |
| |
| Mr Yee Kong Hwa |
| Senior Executive Editor |
| Lianhe Zaobao |
| |
| Dr Yap Mui Teng |
| Senior Research Fellow |
| Institute of Policy Studies |
| |
| Secretary |
| Mr Ng How Yue |
| Director |
| Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports |
Terms of Reference of the Committee on Ageing Issues
- Identify the challenges of an ageing society;
- Determine policy directions for Government and non-Government agencies in addressing the needs of an ageing population;
- Steer and guide the comprehensive, holistic, and co-ordinated development of policies and programmes for the elderly;
- Recommend ways to prepare Singapore for the effects of an ageing population; and
- Recommend ways in which younger Singaporeans can better prepare themselves for active ageing.
Footnote:
1 Past inter-ministry platforms include Howe Yoon Chong's "Committee on the Problems of the Aged", 1982-1984; "Advisory Council on the Aged" chaired by Minister Jayakumar, 1988-1989; "National Advisory Council on the Family and the Aged" chaired by former Minister for Community Development, Mr Abdullah Tarmugi, 1989-1997; the "Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Health Care for the Elderly" chaired by former Minister for Health, Mr Yeo Cheow Tong, 1997-1999 and the Inter-Ministerial Committee on the Ageing Population chaired by Minister Mah Bow Tan, 1999-2003 and Minister Lim Hng Kiang, 2003-2004.
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