Denmark and Singapore exchanged ideas on eldercare

Ambassador of Denmark to Singapore Dorte Bech Vizard at the Lifelong Living Conference on May 30, 2019
(Photo: Embassy of Denmark in Singapore)

Embassy of Denmark in Singapore hosted a Lifelong Living Conference on May 30 to bring together experienced researchers, policy makers and pioneer practitioners in healthcare and innovation from Singapore and Denmark to discuss and share ideas toward solutions and designs for eldercare in the future.

Held at the Parkroyal on Pickering hotel, the conference was supported by Novo Nordisk, Oticon People First and Lundbeck. At the event, distinguished guests attending were Senior Minister of State for Health, Amy Khor and Ambassador of Denmark to Singapore Dorte Bech Vizard.

Ambassador Vizard addressed that this conference was held to provide Denmark and Singapore with lessons from each other’s approaches to eldercare as now both nations are facing mutual challenges related to aging populations.

Currently, average age in Denmark is higher than Singapore but by 2030 Singapore is predicted to surpass Denmark as one in four Singaporeans will be over the age of 65.

Lifelong Living Conference on May 30, 2019 (Photo: Embassy of Denmark in Singapore)

The ambassador highlighted the importance of technological innovations in solving the shortage of manpower in the healthcare sectors of both countries. She added that it is necessary to put greater emphasis on community-driven care.

Mentioning about Singapore’s Silver Generation Office (SGO), in which 3,000 volunteers will visit seniors at home or in community places and encourage them to take part in making government policies and schemes as well as community activities and health services, Ambassador Vizard said Singapore’s SGO was inspired by a Danish social service program offering people aged over 65 a free preventive care delivered at their homes by government nurses.

According to Straitstimes, the ambassador said, “in Singapore, SGO volunteers go out to meet seniors in the Merdeka and Pioneer generations and inform them about healthcare benefits that they qualify for. This is one area where Denmark could, in turn, learn from Singapore and expand its own community care.”

Minister Khor pointed out that most SGO’s volunteers are themselves seniors who actively played important roles at home, at work and in the community.

“We must champion active contribution, harness their social and economic potential, and celebrate their contributions to society,” she added.

Source: Straitstimes Singapore

About Nilobon Bantoey

Journalist • ScandAsia Publishing Co., Ltd. • Bangkok Thailand

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