By Hetty Musfirah, Channel NewsAsia, 21 Jul 2012
The old Serangoon bus interchange will undergo a S$3.9 million facelift.
It'll house Singapore's largest Integrated Day Facility (IDF) which aims to provide better support for the elderly to age-in-place.
The IDF will be ready by the second half of 2013.
The old Serangoon bus interchange used to serve buses and its passengers and has been around since 1988.
The old interchange has been left vacant since September 2011, after a new interchange was set up at the nearby shopping centre, Nex.
Since then it's understood that residents have been curious to find out what will happen to the place.
After receiving feedback for more medical facilities, MP for the area, Seah Kian Peng asked for the site to be used for healthcare and eldercare purposes.
The old interchange will be redeveloped into a community space for the young and old.
Unlike day care centres, IDFs provide additional services for the frail elderly such as general nursing care, rehabilitation and care for those with dementia.
Care givers will also be supported with information, coordination and referral services. It's a move welcomed by residents as about four in 10 at the area are above 50 years old.
Mr Seah said: "In my regular block visits over the years, many residents have expressed various wishes but high among some of the wishes were number one - I think were for more amenities, whether it is eldercare or day care centres. These services are required and will become even more important and more desired by residents going forward."
The old interchange was chosen given its accessibility and the less than ideal conditions at HDB void decks.
Minister of State for Community Development, Youth and Sports, Halimah Yacob, said: "It's an excellent idea because this interchange is located right smack in the community. Our first consideration in building IDFs is always that it has to be in the community. So whether it is in the void decks or in a facility like this, it will have to be because it is the support that we provide to the frail elderly that is critical."
Up to 40 IDFs will be set up by 2016 to provide care for about 6,000 elderly persons.
Eight IDFs will be ready by end this year.
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