Extension of List of Improvements in Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE) Scheme

Madam, the Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE) programme aims to improve the safety and comfort of seniors living in HDB flats. Currently, the EASE programme offers seniors three types of improvements to their flats, namely, grab bars, ramps and slip-resistant treatment of existing floor tiles of one bathroom/toilet. The installation work is relatively light and is typically completed within hours.

The replacement of clothes drying racks, on the other hand, requires elaborate engineering work and support structures, such as the use of gondolas, to carry out work on the external facade of the flat. The nature of the work renders it to be most safely carried out during large-scale upgrading programmes, such as the Home Improvement Programme (HIP) or the cyclical maintenance works.

We will therefore continue to offer the replacement of clothes drying racks under the HIP.

I thank the Senior Minister of State for the response. Can I just find out what other options can be offered to our seniors living in our high-rise buildings whilst they wait for the HIP to come their way? The second supplementary question is, can he also consider lowering the age threshold for the EASE programme knowing that our population is ageing rapidly and a lot more of our seniors are getting disabled at an earlier age?

I thank the Member for her suggestion. In the EASE programme, we are indeed reviewing the criteria for qualifying households. Lowering the age to benefit more seniors is definitely a possibility. On the replacement of the clothes drying rack, I think besides HIP, we can have a look at some of cyclical maintenance programmes that particular estate is carrying out. If the Member has special needs for her constituency, we welcome her suggestions and we can take these offline.

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