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Current and Projected Statistics of PwDs Without Caregivers

Debated in Parliament on 7 Aug 2024.

Summary

  • Ong Hua Han inquired about the percentage of adults with disabilities living independently without caregivers and the projected future number of such individuals in Singapore given the ageing population.
  • Minister Masagos Zulkifli noted that most persons with disabilities enrolled in care facilities live with family, with about one-third having caregivers aged 65 and above.
  • He highlighted the importance of planning for future care arrangements as caregiving roles may change over time due to various factors.
  • People with disabilities lacking caregiving support may be placed in Adult Disability Homes as a last resort, and a taskforce is exploring community living models to help them live independently.
  • Recommendations from the Enabling Masterplan 2030 Taskforce are expected to be released later this year.

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Full Transcript

Ong Hua Han

Mr Ong Hua Han asked the Minister for Social and Family Development based on the number of persons with disabilities (PwDs) receiving social support (a) what percentage of adults with disabilities outside of the labour force do not have caregivers and/or live independently; and (b) what is the projected number of PWDs without caregivers in 15 years' time in view of Singapore’s ageing population.

Masagos Zulkifli B M M

Most persons with disabilities (PwDs) who are enrolled in Day Activity Centres (DACs) or Sheltered Workshops (SWs) are living with their family members. Of these PwDs, about one-third, or 1,000, have at least one caregiver aged 65 years and above.

Caregiving arrangements change over time and depend on many factors such as family circumstances and availability of alternative caregivers as the caregivers themselves grow older. PwDs and their caregivers are encouraged to work with SG Enable and the Special Needs Trust Company to plan ahead on future care arrangements. For PwDs without alternative caregiving arrangements, they may be enrolled into Adult Disability Homes as a last resort. The Enabling Masterplan 2030 (EMP2030) Taskforce for Developing New Community Living Models for Persons with Disabilities has also been looking into alternative community living models to enable PwDs to live independently in the community. The task force will be releasing its recommendations later this year.