Debated in Parliament on 7 Aug 2024.
Mr Ong Hua Han asked the Minister for Social and Family Development based on the number of persons with disabilities (PwDs) receiving social support (a) what percentage of adults with disabilities outside of the labour force do not have caregivers and/or live independently; and (b) what is the projected number of PWDs without caregivers in 15 years' time in view of Singapore’s ageing population.
Most persons with disabilities (PwDs) who are enrolled in Day Activity Centres (DACs) or Sheltered Workshops (SWs) are living with their family members. Of these PwDs, about one-third, or 1,000, have at least one caregiver aged 65 years and above.
Caregiving arrangements change over time and depend on many factors such as family circumstances and availability of alternative caregivers as the caregivers themselves grow older. PwDs and their caregivers are encouraged to work with SG Enable and the Special Needs Trust Company to plan ahead on future care arrangements. For PwDs without alternative caregiving arrangements, they may be enrolled into Adult Disability Homes as a last resort. The Enabling Masterplan 2030 (EMP2030) Taskforce for Developing New Community Living Models for Persons with Disabilities has also been looking into alternative community living models to enable PwDs to live independently in the community. The task force will be releasing its recommendations later this year.
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