SINGAPORE: Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Lim Boon Heng said Singapore takes a "whole-of-government" approach to tackling the issue of ageing.

Mr Lim chairs the Ministerial Committee on Ageing set up in March 2007, to achieve the vision of "Successful Ageing for Singapore."

In an addendum to the President's Address at the opening of Parliament on Monday, Mr Lim said the Manpower Ministry will continue to push re-employment legislation through by 2012.

The Central Provident Fund (CPF) will raise awareness of the "lease-buyback" scheme to enable the lower-income elderly to release equity from their public housing.

Under a concept called "Ageing-In-Place", the physical environment at HDB housing estates will be barrier-free by 2011.

There will be lift access to all floors in flats by 2014, and another S$60 million has been committed to make all pedestrian walkways accessible by 2010.

Singaporeans will also have more choices to live in housing appropriate to their stage in life and finances.

Mr Lim said that the government is also committed to a substantial expansion of the healthcare sector to cope with intermediate and long-term care services.

It will study how to enhance Eldershield and Medifund Silver to help Singaporeans with their long-term care.

The government is also studying how the Wellness Programme, now piloted at 12 constituencies, can help more older residents manage their health and be socially connected. - CNA/vm