Campaign to Guide Seniors on Proper Eye Care and Exercises

Debated in Parliament on 11 Feb 2019.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Joan Pereira asked whether the Ministry of Health will launch a campaign to guide seniors on proper eye care and exercises to prevent dizziness and falls.
Gan Kim Yong outlined existing fall prevention efforts, including HPB’s awareness campaigns, guidebooks, health talks, and exercise programmes that have benefited over 70,000 seniors.
The Ministry also highlighted targeted interventions like home visits by Silver Generation Ambassadors and functional screenings through Project Silver Screen, which has assisted over 40,000 seniors with vision and other health checks.
MOH emphasized its commitment to strengthening fall prevention initiatives through collaboration with community partners and healthcare providers.
The debate underscored that falls among seniors are influenced by multiple factors, and comprehensive strategies combining education, exercise, and home modifications are being implemented.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Full Transcript

Joan Pereira

Ms Joan Pereira asked the Minister for Health whether the Ministry will consider a campaign to guide our seniors on proper eyesight care and exercises that can prevent dizziness which is a common cause of falls.

Gan Kim Yong

Seniors fall for a variety of factors, such as poor eyesight, decreased lower body strength and dizziness. The Ministry of Health's (MOH's) efforts on fall prevention comprise both broad-based upstream prevention campaigns and outreach efforts as well as targeted interventions for those at higher risk of falls. Let me cite some examples.

The Health Promotion Board (HPB) has worked with community partners to raise awareness on falls prevention. HPB started a Falls Prevention Awareness Campaign in 2016 to provide seniors with tips to reduce the risk of falls. A guidebook was released containing information on fall prevention strategies, such as wearing non-slip footwear and ensuring adequate calcium intake. The guidebooks were distributed through more than 300 touchpoints, including Community Clubs and Centres, retail pharmacies, polyclinics and hospitals.

HPB also conducts regular health talks at Community Clubs and Centres, and Residents’ Committees, advising on falls prevention and on good eye care. Over 70,000 seniors have benefited from these talks over the past two years. In addition, HPB conducts exercise programmes to encourage seniors to build up muscle strength and balance to minimise their risk of falls.

As part of their outreach efforts, Silver Generation Ambassadors (SGAs) conduct simple assessments of seniors’ health status during home visits. SGAs may refer seniors to relevant services, such as the Housing and Development Board's Enhancement for Active Seniors programme which subsidises home modifications, such as anti-slip treatment for tiles and installation of grab bars, to prevent falls at home. Seniors may also be linked up with service providers for care and support services.

Most recently, MOH worked with Temasek Foundation Cares to launch Project Silver Screen, a nationwide functional screening programme for seniors to check their vision, hearing and oral health. As part of the screening, seniors are advised on proper eye care, and those with abnormal vision results are referred to an optometrist or eye specialist if needed. Since January 2018, more than 40,000 seniors have benefited from Project Silver Screen, and about one in three seniors were referred for follow-up care.

MOH and the healthcare family will continue to strengthen our efforts to reduce the risk of falls among our senior population.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Joan Pereira asked whether the Ministry of Health will launch a campaign to guide seniors on proper eye care and exercises to prevent dizziness and falls.
Gan Kim Yong outlined existing fall prevention efforts, including HPB’s awareness campaigns, guidebooks, health talks, and exercise programmes that have benefited over 70,000 seniors.
The Ministry also highlighted targeted interventions like home visits by Silver Generation Ambassadors and functional screenings through Project Silver Screen, which has assisted over 40,000 seniors with vision and other health checks.
MOH emphasized its commitment to strengthening fall prevention initiatives through collaboration with community partners and healthcare providers.
The debate underscored that falls among seniors are influenced by multiple factors, and comprehensive strategies combining education, exercise, and home modifications are being implemented.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Campaign to Guide Seniors on Proper Eye Care and Exercises | PAPERCUTS

Campaign to Guide Seniors on Proper Eye Care and Exercises

Debated in Parliament on 11 Feb 2019.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Joan Pereira asked whether the Ministry of Health will launch a campaign to guide seniors on proper eye care and exercises to prevent dizziness and falls.
Gan Kim Yong outlined existing fall prevention efforts, including HPB’s awareness campaigns, guidebooks, health talks, and exercise programmes that have benefited over 70,000 seniors.
The Ministry also highlighted targeted interventions like home visits by Silver Generation Ambassadors and functional screenings through Project Silver Screen, which has assisted over 40,000 seniors with vision and other health checks.
MOH emphasized its commitment to strengthening fall prevention initiatives through collaboration with community partners and healthcare providers.
The debate underscored that falls among seniors are influenced by multiple factors, and comprehensive strategies combining education, exercise, and home modifications are being implemented.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Full Transcript

Joan Pereira

Gan Kim Yong

MOH and the healthcare family will continue to strengthen our efforts to reduce the risk of falls among our senior population.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Joan Pereira asked whether the Ministry of Health will launch a campaign to guide seniors on proper eye care and exercises to prevent dizziness and falls.
Gan Kim Yong outlined existing fall prevention efforts, including HPB’s awareness campaigns, guidebooks, health talks, and exercise programmes that have benefited over 70,000 seniors.
The Ministry also highlighted targeted interventions like home visits by Silver Generation Ambassadors and functional screenings through Project Silver Screen, which has assisted over 40,000 seniors with vision and other health checks.
MOH emphasized its commitment to strengthening fall prevention initiatives through collaboration with community partners and healthcare providers.
The debate underscored that falls among seniors are influenced by multiple factors, and comprehensive strategies combining education, exercise, and home modifications are being implemented.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Campaign to Guide Seniors on Proper Eye Care and Exercises

Summary

Questions Identified

Full Transcript

Joan Pereira

Gan Kim Yong

Summary

Questions Identified

Campaign to Guide Seniors on Proper Eye Care and Exercises

Summary

Questions Identified

Full Transcript

Joan Pereira

Gan Kim Yong

Summary

Questions Identified