Champion of the elderly poor, medical doctor and MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC Lily Neo, 60, talks to Goh Chin Lian about what the Pioneer Generation Package means for the old - and the young.
The Straits Times, 8 Mar 2014
It'll take time. I went house-to-house with my grassroots leaders; at a Meet-the-People's Session, I explained to residents; the night before that, I was with 300 elderly people, explaining at dinner; and two nights before that, I was with 200 elderly people.
We've a summary of the package on a piece of paper that we distribute. "You've got premium subsidy from Government" and in brackets, "80 and above, free for a lifetime." Simple sentences. They'd look at it and ask: "How do I apply? How much will I get? When can I get them?"
Those who go to Senior Activity Centres don't read. The staff read newspapers to them. Hopefully they'll tell their neighbours.
Do the pioneers expect the Government to do more?
Do the pioneers expect the Government to do more?
Many were taken aback: "The Government did so much!" They're grateful for the care and consideration for them. They're not the type who will want more.
Will the 50s to 60s group expect a similar package next time?
Will the 50s to 60s group expect a similar package next time?
They're more discerning than that. You can ask the Government for a lot and then it says: "Okay, I will just tax more."
In developed countries, taxes can be as high as 55 per cent and everybody pays. In Singapore, only 40 per cent pay and the highest (marginal personal income tax rate) is only 20 per cent.
How else can we honour the pioneers?
The Government has sent a message, saying "thank you" to the pioneer group. This mindset should be adopted by all. Every person should be able to say: "I'm grateful to my parents, my grandparents." Once you do it in the family, you extend it to the community as well to those who are less fortunate.
How are younger people's attitudes towards the elderly? Any tension building up?
To say "thank you" may not be in their daily vocabulary, but it doesn't mean they don't have that in their hearts. The Government is showing the way. We're already raising the awareness of filial piety, being grateful and honouring (pioneers). We're already planting the seeds.
You've spoken up for the elderly poor. In 2007, you lobbied for more public assistance allowance. Is the Pioneer Generation Package enough to help them? Is the Government making a big shift?
In developed countries, taxes can be as high as 55 per cent and everybody pays. In Singapore, only 40 per cent pay and the highest (marginal personal income tax rate) is only 20 per cent.
How else can we honour the pioneers?
The Government has sent a message, saying "thank you" to the pioneer group. This mindset should be adopted by all. Every person should be able to say: "I'm grateful to my parents, my grandparents." Once you do it in the family, you extend it to the community as well to those who are less fortunate.
How are younger people's attitudes towards the elderly? Any tension building up?
To say "thank you" may not be in their daily vocabulary, but it doesn't mean they don't have that in their hearts. The Government is showing the way. We're already raising the awareness of filial piety, being grateful and honouring (pioneers). We're already planting the seeds.
You've spoken up for the elderly poor. In 2007, you lobbied for more public assistance allowance. Is the Pioneer Generation Package enough to help them? Is the Government making a big shift?
We're targeting more for the elderly poor. Public assistance subsidy has been going up from $200 to $400-plus (for a single-person household) since the time I fought for it. The Ministry of Social and Family Development is more active now. They try to micro-manage more, look into the care of the poor more.
In the past, we were concentrating more on children and the future. Now the Government is not only concentrating on the future and children, but also on our past and the elderly.
I think (the shift) is, firstly, because of the income gap and an ageing society. It's no more a small group that can be taken care of by voluntary welfare organisations. Somebody has to come in, in a big way, to look after them. Secondly, we have leaders with heart. Thirdly, we can afford it.
Isn't the shift also political?
Isn't the shift also political?
You have to do well in governing and take care of the population, then winning elections will be the result. I don't think it's PAP Government style to go for popular votes. It's always to do the right thing, make the right policies, take care of the people who voted for you. It's not PAP style to spend all the money just to win elections. This PAP Government is always responsible.
By giving this (package), we're taking care of the next generation as well. We're thinking of the long term, by spending more when we can afford it. This is the priority for the rest of the 20, 30 or 40 years because if you don't start now, you won't be able to sustain it in the future. So, this Government is very far-sighted.
What more must be done?
What more must be done?
The elderly with mobility problems, and can't look after themselves any more, can be helped further. It's very difficult to just ask the Government to provide. We have to do it from the community first because it's very hard to identify these (people). Surprisingly, many do not know how to seek help. They say: "I'm weak. I can't get up and cook, or buy my food." They don't expect any help.
The shortage of labour is a problem. How do you find home help workers, workers to bring food, people who can bring them for check-up? All these services aren't established.
Lessons on serving the elderly?
Lessons on serving the elderly?
Have empathy, be compassionate and have a feel of the ground.
Let's say I see a person during my house-to-house visit. No food to eat except rice every day. Fish, only twice a week. Her $200 public assistance (a month for living expenses such as rent, utilities, food and transport) is not enough to buy her food every day of the week.
If you make policies, you have to be in touch with the ground. The last time they told me $200 is more than enough because: "I go to the hawker centre, I need $2 a day." Did you try to eat the hawker food yourself or not? Have you seen this lady or not? With $200 a month, she can't have fish more than twice a week. If she doesn't have good nutrition, in one, two years, she'll have all sorts of chronic diseases. If nobody is listening, you have to shout.
How are the elderly residents in your ward? (A quarter of those in Chinatown and Kim Seng are 65 and older - over double the national average. About 300 are on public assistance.)
How are the elderly residents in your ward? (A quarter of those in Chinatown and Kim Seng are 65 and older - over double the national average. About 300 are on public assistance.)
Senior Activity Centres look after a few hundred elderly residents every day (with) well-balanced food and activities to keep them mentally and socially active. We make sure they're happy and, hopefully, free from depression.
We introduce new programmes almost every year - making sure those in rental homes have proper gas stoves, yearly flu vaccinations; we provide walking sticks, wheelchairs and hearing aids, bring them to hospital.
I'm starting a new programme. Those in rental flats with no family members have difficulty taking care of themselves. We're going to pair them up with more able elderly to help them age more gracefully at home. Otherwise, they deteriorate very fast.
If they have a fall and we don't bring them for early treatment, it'll be dangerous. If they don't have proper nutrition, once they get sick, they can't cook, or go out and buy food. That's a vicious circle.
I had a 70-year-old who loved dancing. Every time we had music on, he'd dance away. One day, he had a stroke. I sent physiotherapy (to his home). Within six months, he could move himself. After a year, he was dancing!
THE SUPPER CLUB LILY NEO
Part 1: ‘Govt planting the seeds for filial piety'
Part 2: ‘Every old lady reminds me of my grandma’
Supper with Dr Lily Neo
Part 1: ‘Govt planting the seeds for filial piety'
Part 2: ‘Every old lady reminds me of my grandma’
Supper with Dr Lily Neo
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