Debated in Parliament on 1 Feb 2021.
Mr Don Wee asked the Minister for Health (a) in the last three years, how many elderly suicides were there; (b) how many of these are related to cases of terminal illnesses; and (c) what are the measures to reduce the suffering of the terminally ill elderly.
In the last three years, the number of elderly suicides, defined as those amongst persons 60 years and above, was 129 cases in 2017, 115 in 2018 and 122 in 2019. The suicide rate among Singapore residents aged 60 years and above fell from 16.4 per 100,000 residents in 2017 to 13.8 in 2018 and 13.5 in 2019, even as our senior population continued to increase. We do not track the number of suicides related to cases of terminal illnesses.
There are currently a range of measures to support those with terminal illness, and their family members and caregivers. The Ministry of Health, the Agency for Integrated Care and Social Services Agencies have set up Community Outreach Teams to reach out to at-risk elderly (including the terminally ill) and their caregivers. The Community Outreach Teams provide basic social-emotional support and education on coping with mental health challenges, and link them to community resources for further support.
In addition, MOH has enhanced the quality, accessibility and affordability of palliative care in Singapore. Palliative care aims to improve the quality of life for patients with terminal illness. Aside from relieving physical suffering through pain management, palliative care also addresses psychosocial and spiritual needs through holistic care provided by a multi-disciplinary team. Palliative care is currently available in the home setting, day care setting and inpatient setting to support these patients and their caregivers.
MOH will continue to work with stakeholders to strengthen our multi-pronged approach in supporting terminally ill seniors.
PAPERCUTS