By Ryan Chan
Seniors residing in Bukit Merah will receive better care with the opening of the NTUC Health Cluster Support office on 21 July 2016.
NTUC Health currently has existing supporting initiatives in the area, with five senior activity centres, a senior group home, a sheltered home and a senior day care centre. The opening of the new office will be a single point of contact to connect residents with other services they require, such as financial assistance and medical services.
For instance, the social enterprise works closely with government agencies like the Agency for Integrated Care, which provides mental health support to seniors. NTUC Health was appointed in 2013 by the Ministry of Social and Family Development as the cluster operator for Bukit Merah and Taman Jurong. The latter has its own Cluster Support office that was launched in November last year.
The various support services come about with a growing ageing population. Two years ago, 12.4 per cent of the population in Singapore was above 65, with the number projected to increase to 19 per cent by 2030.
Member of Parliament for Tanjong Pagar GRC and advisor to Henderson-Dawson Grassroots Organisation Joan Pereira said: “As we continue to improve our policies and infrastructure to meet the growing needs of our ageing population, the role of community organisations and volunteers remains pivotal in providing quality care to our seniors.”
UniSIM Partnership
NTUC Health also inked a memorandum of understanding with SIM University (UniSIM) that will see both students and NTUC Health staff benefit.
NTUC Health Chairman Tan Hwee Bin said: “The partnership will see internship opportunities for UniSIM students in the counselling, social work and gerontology programmes at NTUC Health’s senior activity centres, nursing homes, cluster support and home care services.
“The partnership will subsequently extend to volunteering and research opportunities for the students. NTUC Health staff will also be able to take up SkillsFuture courses and training at UniSIM to be better equipped in caring for our seniors.”
Source: NTUC This Week
