National Policy Approaches to Social Care for Elderly People in the United Kingdomand Singapore 1945-2002

Abstract

The authors compare policy approaches in the United Kingdom and Singapore on social care for older persons. The context of these approaches is discussed showing the development of policies, in each country from the aftermath of the Second World War to the present. Given that Singapore is a former British colony, it is of interest to scholars of social policy to examine its welfare approach as compared to the welfare state approach espoused by the United Kingdom. Both nations are faced with the challenges of an aging population, which necessitates handling similar problems with strategies that are in harmony with their respective economic, social, and cultural contexts. This paper considers their divergence of philosophies and policies, concluding with the recognition that the major difference lies in national and governmental expectations regarding the extent of the financial and regulatory responsibility for care for older people carried by the individual, the family, and the state.

Growing Compact

“…Currently there are about 400,000 residents over 65 (10.5% of the population); but some 900,000 baby boomers, born between 1947 and 1965 (NPTD 2013), began turning 65 years old in 2012. Over 25% of the state's current population, will be over 65 by 2030. the population to 6.9 million, through pronatalist policies, but mainly through immigration (NPTD, 2013 While the government has consistently emphasized personal responsibility and families' role in elder care in accordance with Singapore's "minimalist approach to social welfare" (Mehta & Briscoe, 2004), in fact over the past three decades interministerial committees on ageing have convened to anticipate future needs and how government agencies can assist through urban infrastructure and social programmes (Chong, et al, 2015a (CAI, 2006: 55-60). In this section…”