All-in-one home care service for the elderly

One caregiver for each senior; people who need extra care can also utilise service

By Janice Tai, The Straits Times, 15 Mar 2012

MOST elderly people who need help now receive it from a whole host of different care workers, who do everything from housekeeping to nursing.

It was enough to make Minister of State for Community Development, Youth and Sports Halimah Yacob remark in Parliament last week that the elderly can feel like 'a service item on a work schedule'.

All that is about to change with the introduction of a scheme in which all these services are provided by just one person.

Thye Hua Kwan (THK) Moral Charities and NTUC Eldercare piloted the service in 2010, and will now expand the programme called Ensuite Social Home-based Care.

The all-in-one service includes basic nursing care like medicine management and health monitoring, on top of personal hygiene, housekeeping and therapy activities.

Policy platform for youth on the cards?

Youth Parliament a possibility as Govt considers avenues for young to debate public issues

By Tessa Wong & Teo Wan Gek, The Straits Times, 15 Mar 2012

IMAGINE a Parliament comprising young Singaporeans, 'elected' by other young people to represent their needs and concerns.

Such a mechanism could well be on the cards, as the Government mulls over how the views of young people can be better represented in policy-making.

Last week, Acting Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Chan Chun Sing said his ministry would 'grow a community of youth representatives in their 20s and 30s from the people and private sectors'.

These representatives, he said during the parliamentary debate on his ministry's budget, would represent young people on national and community issues, and champion their causes.

He did not elaborate on the possible form of such a community.

But the ministry's senior parliamentary secretary, Mr Sam Tan, in a separate speech in his capacity as a Member of Parliament, proposed creating a Youth Parliament to let young people give their views on public policies and suggest ways to improve the country.

It will build cohesiveness and allow them to devote themselves to Singapore's future, he said.

Youth Parliaments exist in other countries in different permutations.

Doors now up at all MRT platforms

$126m project to install safety feature completed three months early

By Goh Chin Lian, The Straits Times, 15 Mar 2012

ALL 36 above-ground MRT stations now have screen doors preventing passengers from falling off platforms onto the train tracks.

Kranji station was the last such station to have these doors installed and put in operation yesterday.

These half-height screen doors open only when a train has pulled into a station; all underground stations have full-height doors as a matter of course.

The $126 million project to install the 1,920 doors, started in 2009, has been completed three months ahead of schedule, even though the Land Transport Authority (LTA) had warned that the going would be slow because work could be done only between 1.30am and 4am, after the end of train services.

An LTA spokesman said, however, that the 43 LRT stations in Bukit Panjang, Sengkang and Punggol will not have these half-height screen doors installed because of operational challenges.

'As LRT systems are driverless and unmanned, they are far more challenging and complex to operate with half-height platform screen doors, compared with above-ground MRT stations,' he said.

In any case, the number of instances in which commuters fall onto LRT tracks - either accidentally or deliberately - is relatively low, he said.

More choice for SERS flat owners

They have priority for Build-To-Order flats anywhere and financial help too

By Daryl Chin, The Straits Times, 15 Mar 2012

THE Government has given a boost to Housing Board homeowners affected by en bloc redevelopment of their estates.

They will now be given priority in the selection of any Build-To-Order (BTO) flat across the island, instead of just the replacement flats allocated to them near their current homes.

They will also receive concessions which could ease their financial burden in purchasing their new flats.

These include paying a lower resale levy upfront in some cases, or opting to defer payment of the entire sum. Resale levy is payable when an HDB homeowner buys a second subsidised flat from the Government.

Those above 55 will also be able to seek permission to dip into their Central Provident Fund (CPF) Retirement Accounts - a pool of money previously reserved strictly for their retirement needs - should their current finances prove insufficient.

The Selective En Bloc Redevelopment Scheme (SERS) came under the spotlight in recent months after the Government announced it would acquire Rochor Centre in order to lengthen the southern stretch of the North-South Expressway.

The move affects 567 homeowners, some of whom have been living there for decades, as well as 187 shops and eating places.

Some residents have expressed reservations about moving into replacement flats reserved for them in Kallang, saying they are pricey and not an equivalent substitute for their centrally located homes.

Member of Parliament for Moulmein-Kallang GRC Denise Phua has also weighed in on the issue, asking the Government to provide higher compensation.

In a statement to The Straits Times, HDB said it 'regularly reviews its policies and processes to ensure they remain relevant and meet the needs of residents'.

'Taking into consideration feedback from our residents, HDB has recently reviewed and enhanced the various concessions to make the SERS package more favourable,' it added.

Under SERS, selected older buildings are redeveloped to make the best use of land. Owners get market-value compensation and are allocated a new replacement flat in a nearby location.

With the new rule changes, up to 5per cent of all upcoming BTO launches islandwide are reserved for selection by such homeowners before anyone else.

They will get the same discount off the price of these flats as they are getting on the replacement flats, which is 20per cent subject to a cap of $30,000.

Should SERS residents still be unable to get a new BTO flat by the end of the grace period, they can fall back on the replacement flats which have already been set aside for them.

Another key change is that they can opt to defer the payment of any applicable resale levy, which can range from $15,000 to $50,000 depending on flat type, until they sell or transfer their flats.

Married Child Priority Scheme: HDB pro-family scheme 'could be abused'

Some couples may bid for choice units under scheme but not live with parents; hard to nab offenders: Experts
By Daryl Chin, The Straits Times, 14 Mar 2012

THE carrot for couples is this - greater chances of getting a flat if their parents also move in with them.

But property experts warn that this new Housing Board scheme to promote multigenerational family living could be abused by some to bid for a coveted unit in a mature estate - but with not everyone living under the same roof.

And getting conclusive evidence to nail the offenders would not be easy, they add.

The scheme, which kicks in from this month's launch of Build-To-Order (BTO) flats, is an enhancement to the Married Child Priority Scheme (MCPS).

Previously, a married couple buying an HDB flat for the first time would have four ballot chances, and a second-timer two chances, if they opt to live with, or within 2km of, their parents.

The new rules will see their ballot chances rise to six and three respectively, if they choose to live with their parents.

A minimum five-year occupancy period will apply, and both parties, if listed as the essential occupiers, cannot own or buy any other properties.

In a blog entry last June, National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan said that of the 14,000 applicants for a BTO launch the month before, about 40 per cent of the first-timers applied under the MCPS.

Given the popularity of the scheme, it is anyone's guess how many applicants could be tempted to misuse the enhanced version.

Experts said applicants might declare that they will live together but rent a unit somewhere else, or live with a relative.

Vacant state land can't be used for private purposes

THE Singapore Land Authority (SLA) makes available vacant state land, pending development, for interim use by the community for recreational activities ('Group told to clear out 'farm' on state land'; last Saturday).

Over the years, the SLA has upgraded vacant state land for such uses. Today, there are 270 community use sites in various parts of Singapore for the community to use and enjoy.

However, state land is a precious resource and must be maintained and managed responsibly.

An important principle that we uphold without exception is that individuals or groups of them are not allowed to encroach and lay claim on state land for their private use.

Where state land is allowed for community use, it is important that it does not cause disamenity for the neighbourhood, and does not adversely affect the land and the environment, such as causing ground contamination or mosquito breeding.

In this case, some individuals have not only encroached on state land for their private purposes, but several have also fenced up parcels of land as their 'own' and padlocked them for their exclusive use.

There are also illegally erected makeshift sheds and even an outdoor toilet.

During our inspection, we found several ponds with stagnant water that are potential mosquito breeding grounds if left unchecked.

We have also received feedback of the burning of branches and leaves, which affects the air quality for the residents nearby and is a potential fire hazard.

In the interest of all residents living in the vicinity, SLA's immediate priority is to stop the burning of leaves and commence vector control measures.

Price water the Singapore way to curb waste: UN

Report also holds up recycling of waste water in Republic as example

By Himaya Quasem, The Straits Times, 13 Mar 2012

A MAJOR United Nations report on global water supplies has called for more realistic pricing to discourage waste, a strategy for which it singles out Singapore for praise.

The report, released yesterday, warned that water problems in many parts of the world are chronic and will worsen as demand for food soars and climate change intensifies.

It called for an immediate crackdown on water waste, pointing to Singapore's water pricing strategy and practice of recycling waste water as examples of how the problem could be tackled.

'While most cities would refrain from using treated waste water as a source of drinking water, this avenue is also available and has been implemented, for example, in water-scarce Singapore and the International Space Station, without ill effects.

'Consequently, it is recommended that municipalities affected by water scarcity should move aggressively towards the use of reclaimed water,' the report said.

The report's lead author Richard Connor, of the UN's World Water Assessment Programme, also said researchers were impressed by Singapore's 'flexible' approach.

Singapore's public awareness campaigns urging people to save water, combined with tariffs that charge households based on the amount of water used and taxes that penalise those who waste water, had been effective, he said.

'There is no magic bullet to deal with this complex problem. What is often needed is a flexible approach that suits each municipality,' Mr Connor told The Straits Times. 'But Singapore's approach should definitely be considered by other countries facing similar challenges.'

Pricing, conservation and recycling are three key elements of Singapore's strategy.

The national water agency PUB has a tiered tariff that charges heavy users of water a higher rate. It also imposes a water conservation tax which is calculated as a percentage of total water consumption.

ARCHearts: Helping Ayer Rajah's needy elderly & youths-at-risk

By Wayne Chan, Channel NewsAsia, 13 Mar 2012

In line with Singapore's aim to build an inclusive society, Adviser to Ayer Rajah grassroots organisations and MP for West Coast GRC Foo Mee Har has launched a community programme aimed at enhancing the lives of the needy elderly, youths-at-risk as well as lower-income and disadvantaged families in the Ayer Rajah division.

Named ARCHearts, which stands for Ayer Rajah Community Hearts, the programme has three core components.

Food Connect will assist residents with basic food necessities. Silver Connect aims to improve the economic and social well-being of the needy elderly, while Youth Connect aims to enrich the lives of youths from disadvantaged homes.

The programme will benefit 800 to 1,000 residents and their families.



Food Connect will give low-income families monthly supplies of basic food and household essentials on every second Saturday of the month to ease their financial burden.

All 28 stalls in Teban Food Market have signed up for the Food Connect scheme. Needy families will be able to use food vouchers worth S$25 to redeem food. And for those who are less mobile or cook at home, they can opt for customised food packs to be delivered to their homes.

Ms Foo said: "We want them to be at least on the programme for a year so we have an opportunity to see them on a monthly basis. We can leverage that opportunity on whether to distribute food in their home or meet them in the community centre so that we can catch up with their circumstances. And we will usually help them on multiple dimensions."

Under Silver Connect, food vendors in the community will provide elderly residents with cooked meals.

Volunteers will also help ensure the seniors' homes are in good condition, provide transport to those who need regular medical treatment, and assist the elderly in understanding government help schemes.

The elderly will also get assistance in understanding government help schemes. An important component of the scheme is the "Watch" scheme to encourage residents to keep watch over their elderly neighbours.

And for youths aged 12 to 19 from disadvantaged homes, Youth Connect will provide them with personal mentoring and coaching by trained volunteers and career opportunities.

Rotten teeth on the rise in kids

Dentists stepping up outreach programme to fight worrying trend

By Poon Chian Hui, The Straits Times, 14 Mar 2012

SEVERE tooth decay among children - some needing surgery under general anaesthesia to fix - is on the rise here.

A decade ago, the National Dental Centre (NDC) treated fewer than 500 young patients a year.

Last year, the figure was 1,000.

The rot can be bad: From the NDC's files of young patients seen last month comes the case of a three-year-old with 14 decayed teeth.

The child - still years away from shedding her baby teeth - had pus oozing from the gum above one tooth, where the decay had reached the nerve. Three teeth needed nerve treatment and to be fitted with crowns; another five had to be pulled out.

The NDC has gone on the warpath against the disease, called 'early childhood caries', by stepping up its community outreach programme.

Since last month, its dentists have been delivering lectures to about 200 doctors and nurses from nine polyclinics on spotting preschoolers at risk of tooth decay, and to refer them to the NDC.

By the middle of next year, it will have extended this drive to another six polyclinics and to preschool teachers and parents as well.

These classes cover, for example, the risk factors behind early childhood caries, and how adults can spread decay-causing bacteria to their children by sharing food with them.

Dr Tan Wee Kiat, a senior consultant paediatric dentist in the NDC, said parents' ignorance about dental disease is a key reason why dental health among children is deteriorating.

Letting a child fall asleep with milk bottle in mouth can make matters worse. This is because sugars that occur naturally in milk make a perfect environment for bacteria to multiply. These bacteria convert the milk sugars, called lactose, into lactic acid.

'Imagine, the teeth are continually bathed in acidic elements,' said Dr Tan.

The acid attacks the tooth enamel, making it easier for bacteria to reach the nerve of the tooth.

Data available here indicates that four in 10 children aged three to six have tooth decay.

Also, one in five would have suffered the problem by the time he reaches the age of five.

As a result, these children may lose their baby teeth earlier than they should, which would affect the formation of their permanent teeth.

Poor dental hygiene in childhood can also carry over into adulthood.

Parents are advised to take their children to the dentist as soon as the milk teeth are present - at the age of one. They should also start the tooth-brushing habit early.

Dr Tan said she knows of parents who do not do this until their children are three.

Such good dental habits can go a long way towards preventing the pain of multiple tooth extractions at a young age.

Explaining the reasons for extending the outreach programme to parents and teachers, Dr Tan said: 'I don't ever want to see a parent cry in front of me and ask, 'Why didn't anybody tell me?''

About dental caries

EARLY childhood caries is a form of severe tooth decay affecting young children under the age of six.

In this form of decay, the child's front teeth are usually the ones attacked by bacteria.

The decay can spread rapidly, with the total rotting of the tooth happening in six months to a year.

About four in 10 pre-schoolers here have dental caries.

Children are at risk of the problem if they are frequent snackers, do not brush their teeth regularly or habitually suckle a bottle of milk to sleep. Milk contains naturally-occurring sugars that can foster bacterial growth in the mouth.

Parents should be alerted to the problem if a child complains of pain when biting, or of sensitivity to hot or cold foods or has swollen gums.

Decayed teeth can be fixed with dental fillings and nerve treatment.

But if most of the tooth has already been eaten away by bacteria, it will have to be extracted.

Singapore ranked most competitive city in Asia: EIU report

By Yvonne Chan, Wong Siew Ying, Channel NewsAsia, 13 Mar 2012

Singapore has been ranked the most competitive city in Asia, according to a report by the Economist Intelligence Unit.

The "Hot Spots: Benchmarking Global City Competitiveness" report also identified Singapore as the third most competitive city in the world, after economic and financial hubs New York and London.

The report covered a total of 120 global markets, assessed on the basis of 21 qualitative and 10 quantitative indicators.

It defines competitiveness as the "demonstrated ability to attract capital, business, talent and visitors".

In Asia, Singapore topped the list as most competitive, followed by Hong Kong and Tokyo.

Asian cities dominated the economic strength category, the most highly weighted category. Fifteen of the top 20 cities for economic strength are from Asia, with 12 in China.

Singapore rated highly in categories of physical capital (joint 1st), financial maturity (joint 1st), institutional effectiveness (6th) and global appeal (4th).

The report, which was commissioned by Citi, attributes Singapore's strong position to its efficient transport system, lean bureaucracy and safe environment.

It also took into account Singapore's ability to attract capital and business.

Mr Michael Zink, head of ASEAN and Citi country officer for Singapore said: "It's a terrific place to do business - it's a very open and global city and we have the opportunity to compete fairly and evenly against the domestic players.

"The playing field here is quite level. So as long as we can continue to compete domestically, we'll continue to invest. And as long as Singapore maintains its competitiveness against other financial centres around the world, I can see us continuing to bring more and more activity into Singapore."

The Economic Development Board (EDB) said the favourable ranking is testament to Singapore's appeal as a global business location.

Mr Leo Yip, chairman of the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), said: "Our strong attributes of trust, knowledge, connectivity and liveability have underpinned our ability to attract investments, business, talent and ideas."

He added that Singapore's competitiveness has made it an attractive location for MNCs and global mid-sized companies to manage their business, innovation and talent, in order to tap growth opportunities in Asia.

He said Singapore is also becoming a strategic location for Asian companies to build capability to grow in international markets.

Last year, Singapore attracted S$13 billion in fixed asset investments, and the EDB expects this figure to hit almost S$15 billion this year.

Singapore did well in most categories of the report. However, experts said it is lacking in some areas and needs to do more to boost its human capital, entrepreneurship and risk attitudes in order to stay ahead of the game.

Mr Sudhir Thomas Vadaketh, senior editor, Asia, Economist Intelligence Unit, said: "In order to keep up its performance, it needs to continue to plan, to continue to invest in physical infrastructure, and continue to have open transparent policies.

"In terms of overtaking New York and London, I think some of the areas where Singapore falls short are its performance in terms of social and culture capital, and human capital.

"In terms of specific indicators, I think Singapore does not score very highly in entrepreneurship and risk-taking mindset. It does not score highly in terms of population growth, and it doesn't score highly in terms of freedom of expression and human rights.

"I think these are all several things that have been challenges that Singapore has been facing for some time now. I think everybody is aware of them.

"We have been making efforts to address them, to increase and improve the entrepreneurial culture of the city for instance. These do not happen overnight.

"I think Singapore still has some way to go in terms of improving these measures vis-a-vis New York and London. It requires not just investments and policies, but broader societal changes in attitudes and mindsets."

Experts said Singapore cannot rest on its laurels as fast growing 'middle-tier' cities like Abu Dhabi in the Middle East, and Surabaya in Indonesia are likely to grow in competitiveness in the coming years.

Over S$78 million in Medifund aid given to needy patients in FY2010

By Sara Grosse, Channel NewsAsia, 12 Mar 2012

The government gave out more than S$78 million in Medifund aid to needy patients in the financial year ending March 2011.

This is S$14 million more than 2009, or an increase of 22 per cent.

The Health Ministry announced this when it released the 2010 Medical Endowment Fund Annual Report on Monday.

Medifund was created by the government in April 1993 to help needy Singaporeans who are unable to afford their medical bills, despite government subsidies, Medisave and MediShield.

Nearly 87 per cent of funds disbursed, or S$68.2 million, went to patients in the acute sector, while S$10.5 million was disbursed to those in the intermediate and long-term care sector.

The Health Ministry said Medifund reached out to more needy elderly patients in 2010 - they received S$23.2 million of Medifund assistance, a 22.8 per cent increase compared to 2009.

Successful applications also went up by 22 per cent to more than 480,000 in 2010.

MOH said of the successful applications, 9 in 10 received full assistance, that is 100 per cent assistance for the outstanding subsidised bill.

On average, those who received inpatient care received S$1,321 in Medifund and Medifund Silver assistance per application, while those on outpatient care received S$94 per application.

The Medifund Silver scheme was launched in November 2007 to provide targeted assistance to needy elderly patients aged 65 and older in restructured hospitals and institutions. The scheme was extended to intermediate and long-term care facilities funded by voluntary welfare organisations in 2008.

Same-day refund soon for most bus & MRT fare claims

By Goh Chin Lian, The Straits Times, 13 Mar 2012

INSTEAD of waiting the current five days, commuters will soon be able to get a same-day refund for being overcharged or forgetting to tap their stored value cards on the readers when alighting.

And from today, they can ask for the refund to be credited into their cards using ticketing machines at bus interchanges and MRT stations.

Customers from 16 Giro-participating banks can also opt for the refund to be credited into their bank accounts. Currently, only DBS and POSB customers can do this.

The service improvements were announced yesterday by TransitLink, a subsidiary of the Land Transport Authority that collects bus and train fares and redistributes them to public transport operators.

It expects the same-day refunds to be in place some time after June. Other measures include shortening the process to apply for and replace a concession card.