St Luke’s ElderCare to raise S$30 million for Community Transformation Fund to benefit seniors
The funds will benefit more than 45,000 seniors over the next five years
ST LUKE’S ElderCare (SLEC) aims to raise S$30 million for a fund that will benefit more than 45,000 seniors over the next five years, the healthcare provider said on Thursday (Nov 7).
Professor Ho Yew Kee, chairman of SLEC, said the fund will meet the increasing needs of Singapore’s ageing population as one in four Singapore citizens will be aged 65 and above by 2030.
“The profile of our elders is changing – they are living longer, ageing healthier, more highly educated, and more affluent and demanding. We need to enhance our model of care. In addition, with a rapidly ageing population, we need the whole ecosystem of care as we cannot get the work done alone,” he added.
The launch of the fund was announced at SLEC’s 25th anniversary gala dinner, held at Pan Pacific Singapore, with President Tharman Shanmugaratnam as the guest of honour.
Creating “Impact”
The Community Transformation Fund (CTF) will be used for initiatives in six “Impact” areas: innovate, mentor, programme, advocate, connect and train.
On the innovation front, SLEC will invest in technology to improve efficiency and productivity.
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Prof Ho said: “We will adopt advanced technology and innovative approaches, including cutting-edge robotics rehab equipment, and enhance our Active Ageing Centres to become thematic hubs.”
Patients will be able to engage their interests at these thematic hubs, from aquatics to cycling and performing arts. SLEC will also work on refining its transport management system – which can make more than 350 trips a day for about 2,000 seniors – and making it more eco-friendly.
On the mentoring aspect, “we will work with experts to mentor and build the capabilities of our staff, to achieve better evidenced-based services and documented outcomes for our elders”, added Prof Ho.
SLEC will also work with institutes of higher learning for planned research projects, which include developing texture-modified meals that are more nutritious and visually appealing for seniors with swallowing difficulties.
The organisation also said it will develop new programmes while scaling existing ones, in accordance with the Grace model of care. This model is focused on personalised approaches based on the changing needs of seniors and the programmes will incorporate visual and performing arts and music with therapeutic components, among others.
Knowledge sharing
Prof Ho said: “We will advocate for better community care through thought leadership and knowledge sharing. We will pitch the need to care for the elders to the young.”
SLEC will do so by hosting forums and conferences, and engaging with policymakers and stakeholders in the healthcare and community care sectors. For example, it will scale up the annual SLEC CommCare Symposium, which keeps healthcare professionals updated about the industry and educates the public about caregiving.
“We will connect the dots and community care ecosystem to cultivate connections with industry partners, community organisations, corporations and academic institutions,” added Prof Ho.
So far, SLEC has signed memoranda of understanding with organisations which include Fei Yue Community Services, Institute of Technical Education and SingHealth.
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