Many Singaporeans today view the elderly as a burden. Most of them now either live separately from their family or are left in the care of nursing homes or hospice. Some even live in the streets. Many of them never get visited by their relatives or family at all, they feel neglected and extremely disappointed, as the children they have raised do not even show care and concern.According to the Singapore Medical Journal 2006, the number of nursing home beds has increased to over 6400, 75% of which were provided by 28 nursing homes run by voluntary welfare organizations and the remainder by privately-run nursing homes.
Surveys were carried out and the results show that there are more room for improvement for the relationship between grandparents and their grandchildren.
The reason why Singaporeans view the elder as a burden is understandable. According to our research, as human age, majority loses their physical abilities and will have problems in their physical vitality. Their mental capacity will decrease and they may turn senile. They also turn more sentimental, stubborn and emotional too.
Singapore, a modern community, was not built in a single day, but after years of hardship and labour of our elders. Singaporeans today are reaping the bountiful fruits of their labour, and they should not repay them with disregard and disrespect. However, Singaporeans still choose to abandon and neglect them just because they are unable to contribute to the society much. There are some elders now who live below the poverty line and do jobs ‘lowly’ jobs to make ends meet.
To encourage more families to live with their elders, the government has provided tax subsidies to families who live together with them. These families are prioritized to move into larger flats if they live in small ones. The government has also set up various schemes and organizations, like the Public Assistant Scheme, which provides monthly grants to poor and needy elderly who are ‘abandoned’ by their families. Although what the government has increased the number of families who live with their elders, there is still an increasing number of elderly being ‘abandoned’ each year.
If the numbers continues to increase, the government may have to increase taxes and invest a considerable sum of money to build shelters, renovate nursing homes and buy more advanced medical equipment, food and beds for these elderly.
The rise in the number of abandoned elderly also creates a bad impression on tourists and foreigners. They may think that Singaporeans are heartless and have no filial piety. Tourists would be disgusted at the sight of old folks begging on the streets. Foreigners, who considered living in Singapore, may choose to live in other countries instead. The rise in the number of abandoned old folks may affect tourism and immigration in Singapore.
Given that old folks may feel neglected and hurt when they are ‘abandoned’ in a
nursing home or in the streets, and have the lack of motivation to
continue living, how might we encourage people to show compassion and care for
the elderly, 2008 and beyond, so that they know people do care about
them?
picture taken from: here.
6:38 PM;