Transport subsidy extended to 1,000 more seniors
A TRANSPORT subsidy that is currently given out to the wheelchair-bound seniors will be extended to seniors requiring some form of mobility assistance, Senior Minister of State for Health Amy Khor said in Parliament yesterday.
The transport subsidies come under the Seniors' Mobility and Enabling Fund (SMF) and is for those attending Government-funded day rehabilitation, dementia care or dialysis services.
Starting next month, the subsidy will be extended to include those who require "some form of mobility assistance", she said. This includes, for instance, those who need to use walking sticks.
The improved scheme is also meant to encourage seniors to attend rehabilitation follow-ups.
Dr Khor said: "The fact that the elderly may not follow up with rehab could be due to other factors, such as (having) no transport to day rehab."
Dr Khor was responding to questions from Mr Low Thia Khiang (Aljunied GRC) on why some seniors do not attend rehab follow-ups, which subsequently affects their recovery.
With the enhanced scheme, an additional 1,000 seniors will benefit from transport subsidies.
Currently, 2,000 seniors get transport subsidies under the SMF. "The level of funding support given will be based on mobility needs," Dr Khor said.
Currently, 2,000 seniors get transport subsidies under the SMF. "The level of funding support given will be based on mobility needs," Dr Khor said.
The Health Ministry expects to provide an additional $14 million from the fund to support eldercare operators in providing transportation.
Besides providing transport subsidies, MOH has also stepped up efforts to encourage seniors to attend rehab follow-ups by providing subsidies for home rehabilitation since April last year.
With more rehab needs, the number of physiotherapists, speech therapists and occupational therapists in the public and step-down care sectors has grown by 40 per cent to more than 1,200 today.
Course intakes in local institutions for speech and occupational therapy as well as physiotherapy have also been increased, said Dr Khor.
With more rehab needs, the number of physiotherapists, speech therapists and occupational therapists in the public and step-down care sectors has grown by 40 per cent to more than 1,200 today.
Course intakes in local institutions for speech and occupational therapy as well as physiotherapy have also been increased, said Dr Khor.
Singaporeans aged above 60 can also tap the fund to get subsidies of up to 90 per cent on hearing aids. Since 2013, close to $17 million in subsidies have been given out through the fund, she said.
The Straits Times / Singapore Published on 13 March, 2015
By Kash Cheong
By Kash Cheong
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