SOCIAL STUDIES SEQ

Ageing population
INDIVIDUAL

1a) Explain how the individual responsibility eases

the problem of an ageing population in Singapore?
1a) Encouraging individual responsibility is one measure
that helps ease the problem of ageing population in
Singapore. [POINT]. Individual plays the main role in
ensuring that he ages gracefully. [EXPLAIN]. For example,
the senior citizens are encouraged to maintain a healthy
lifestyle by watching his diet and exercising regularly to
reduce risks of chronic illness. Attending regular medical
checkups will help them to detect chronic illness and go
for early treatment. Singaporeans are encouraged to plan
early and be financially prepared for life in their old age by
attending pre-retirement talks on financial planning so that
they can build up savings for old age. [EVIDENCE]Thus
this approach is effective as it minimizes over-dependency
on the state for welfare while directly placing selfresponsibility on the senior citizens to prepare for and look
after their own needs.

1b) Explain two other ways that eases the problem

of an ageing population in Singapore. Which of them
do you think is more important? Explain your
answer.
1b) Having family support is also one way that eases the
problem of an ageing population in Singapore.
[POINT]Strong and stable families bring about social
stability and harmony. The family is also the main source
of emotional, social and financial support. The government
has introduced some measures to help strengthen family
bonds[EXPLAIN]For example, the annual Senior Citizens
week encourages the elderly to stay active in the family
and community. It also promotes a positive attitude
towards ageing and the aged as it reminds each of their
roles in creating an environment that is socially conducive.
Therefore, family support is an effective way to prepare
Singaporeans for old age as it will help close the
generation gaps between family members and the elderly
and to prevent the elderly from undergoing depression or
left alone in nursing homes[EVIDENCE].
AND/OR
Community support is another way that will ease the
problem of ageing population in Singapore. [POINT]. The
community plays an important role in giving social and
moral support as well as providing healthcare and social

services to the senior citizens. Voluntary welfare

organisations, supported by government subsidies provide
community-based services for the senior citizens.
[Explain]. An example is the Home Nursing Foundation for
Elders. Some community organizations also offer free
health checkups and organize recreational activities to
help senior citizens remain physically, mentally and
socially active. Such community support is especially
important for those elderly who are not able to support
themselves and have no family to fall back
on[EVIDENCE]. Thus the community plays an important
role in supporting the governments effort to ensure that no
elderly is left behind and their needs are taken care of.
[Link]
AND/OR

The government support eases the problem of an ageing

population in Singapore[Point] The government has made
laws and introduced measure to protect the interest of the
senior citizens. The government has put in place various
measures to ensure that the aged can become
independent during their old age confidently. [EXPLAIN].
For example, the government helped the elderly to save
up some money for them to live comfortably. The Central
Provident Fund which h is a compulsory savings scheme
for all Singaporeans was introduced. Upon retirement CPF
members can withdraw their savings at the age of 55 and

leave some money in their retirement account so that they

can later receive a monthly sum from their retirement
account when they reach the age of 62.This way the
government tries to ensure that senior citizens will have
enough money to pay their medical
expenses[EVIDENCE].Thus this measure helps individual
to remain more independent to face the problems as they
are now financially stable to get treatments on time and an
affordable rate.