THE call for a "whole-of-government" approach, led by the Housing Board and the Ministry of Health, to tackle the issue of ageing, makes sense ("Active ageing: Time to step it up"; March 21).
Yet, why are there still no integrated solutions to many of the issues facing seniors, such as the poor response to the Lease Buyback Scheme and the unavailability of private reverse mortgage plans ("Reverse mortgages can help cash-poor", by Mr Ray Wong Fei Mun; March 17)?
Perhaps the answer lies in the "whole-of-society" approach proposed in Professor David Chan's article ("Getting better at discussing population issues"; March 21).
Singaporeans have relied on the Government for too long. The non-government part of Singapore has to share the same foresight when it comes to tackling ageing problems.
A key part of this change must come from the seniors themselves.
The Government should involve active seniors in pulling together all parties - such as employers, religious groups and voluntary welfare organisations - to share in the future agenda.
Using the example of reverse mortgages, we need banks to work with housing developers, insurers, the Health Ministry and the Central Provident Fund Board.
A mindset change is essential, and involves not only the elderly, but also the young and the middle-aged.
If we can tackle this one glaring issue of ageing together as a nation, it will give us great confidence in stepping into Singapore's next 50 years.
Geoffrey Kung
Yet, why are there still no integrated solutions to many of the issues facing seniors, such as the poor response to the Lease Buyback Scheme and the unavailability of private reverse mortgage plans ("Reverse mortgages can help cash-poor", by Mr Ray Wong Fei Mun; March 17)?
Perhaps the answer lies in the "whole-of-society" approach proposed in Professor David Chan's article ("Getting better at discussing population issues"; March 21).
Singaporeans have relied on the Government for too long. The non-government part of Singapore has to share the same foresight when it comes to tackling ageing problems.
A key part of this change must come from the seniors themselves.
The Government should involve active seniors in pulling together all parties - such as employers, religious groups and voluntary welfare organisations - to share in the future agenda.
Using the example of reverse mortgages, we need banks to work with housing developers, insurers, the Health Ministry and the Central Provident Fund Board.
A mindset change is essential, and involves not only the elderly, but also the young and the middle-aged.
If we can tackle this one glaring issue of ageing together as a nation, it will give us great confidence in stepping into Singapore's next 50 years.
Geoffrey Kung
