Smart designs for an ageing population

Singapore’s life expectancy is one of the highest in the world. Its older population (age 60+) is projected to grow from 814,000 (15 per cent of population) in 2012 to 2,308,000 (38 per cent) by 2050 – faster than Japan. At this rate of growth, Singapore is anticipated to become the world’s 4th ‘oldest’ country in the next three to four decades. Hence, it is no surprise that ageing is identified as a top priority of Singapore’s Smart Nation vision. There is a strong preference to age in place. Older Singaporeans generally want to remain living independently in their homes well into old age. An expanding range of housing designs (eg studio apartments, 3Gen flats, 2-room Flexi flats) and improvements (eg lift upgrading, home improvement, neighbourhood renewal, universal design) are being implemented to support this. The articulation of ageing in place parallels international development trends where there have been a gradual transition from institutional care to community care in support of healthy longevity.