Government to spend more than 500 million dollars in the next five years to build eldercare facilities

The Singapore government will spend more than 500 million dollars in the next five years to build facilities which will help the growing senior population age in place. 

The Health Ministry and the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports announced that 10 nursing homes, 21 senior care centres and 45 senior activity centres will be built across the island by 2016. 

The 10 nursing homes will add an estimated 3,300 beds to Singapore's existing nursing home capacity of 9 thousand. 

The ministries hope that by locating the nursing homes within the community, it will make it more convenient for families to visit seniors in these nursing homes. 

They add that nursing homes in residential estates will also better complement other healthcare services in the vicinity, making it more seamless for seniors. 

The new senior care centres will provide day care, dementia day care, day rehabilitation services and basic nursing services. 

The 45 senior activity centres will allow seniors to engage in regular social activities. 

They'll be operated by either voluntary welfare organisations or commercial operators.