RENTAL FLATS : AN ELDERLY-FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

There is a rapid increase in the proportion of elderly living in Singapore. Some of them are residing in one room Housing and Development Board (HDB) rental flats. The conditions of these rental flats are poor and the existing features not user-friendly to the elderly. With the implementation of the "Project to Improve the Living Conditions of the Elderly" in 1993, the living conditions and the environment improved. The HDB has also various financial schemes to help those elderly in financial hardship and the Senior Activity Centre (SAC) provides eldercare services such as healthcare, welfare and medication for the elderly. All these imply that the government has taken sets in ensuring successful ageing of the elderly in Singapore. A case study is carried out at one-room HDB rental flats at Blk 51 and 52 Chin Swee Road. The blocks are chosen because they are already installed with the elderly-friendly features. The survey findings conducted lead to the conclusion that the elderly are very satisfied with the features provided. There are more than 50% of the elderly enrolled as members in the Senior Activity Centre thus facilitating them to age-in-place within the community.