OCBC commits S$2 million to support the elderly
Covering four essential pillars – health, wealth, literacy and lifestyle – OCBC SeniorCare seeks to empower the elderly to age well
[SINGAPORE] About 1,000 seniors gathered at Bukit Canberra on Saturday (Mar 29) morning to participate in a mass workout and learn more about digital banking and scams, among other things, as part of the launch of OCBC SeniorCare programme.
The bank said it will commit over S$2 million to benefit more than 180,000 seniors aged 60 and above over three years. The initiatives will be progressively announced throughout its duration.
Covering four essential pillars – health, wealth, literacy and lifestyle – the project seeks to empower the elderly to age well.
By 2030, around one in four Singaporeans will be aged 65 or above. Helen Wong, group CEO of OCBC, said: “The global population is ageing. By next year, Singapore will likely become ‘super aged’. We hope (the programme) will bring big impact (and) made sure that the initiatives under the four pillars of the programme are very practical – based on data and first-hand knowledge and experiences from our front-line staff.”
OCBC SeniorCare, launched by Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung, was well-received by seniors such as Shushila Devi from Care Corner, the bank’s charity partner. The 71 year old said: “I’ve participated in the Care Corner ElderConnect Programme supported by OCBC since 2022. Seniors like me can feel quite lonely at times (and) I’m happy to hear that OCBC is rolling out a new programme.”
OCBC SeniorCare’s initiatives provide solutions to the most pressing needs of seniors, and were gleaned from the bank’s data as well as feedback from branch staff and charity partners who interact daily with seniors from all walks of life, OCBC said.
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Hence, under the four pillars, it is working with partners such as Raffles Medical Group, Q&M Dental Group and Fei Siong Group which has eatery brands such as Eat, Malaysia Boleh and Encik Tan.
Raffles Medical Group and Q&M Dental Group, for instance, will provide senior OCBC customers with member rates on selected services.
At the event, Ong said he encourages people to rethink what turning 65 means.
“Who says 65 is old? While the government may call it ‘super-aged’, the people must say ‘no’. If your mind is not old and your body is fit, 65 is young.”
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