Focusing on the needs of the geriatric sector in Asia

October 8, 2019

The Asia Pacific (APAC) region is the fastest ageing region globally. By 2050, the population of older persons (aged over 60) would have reached 1.3 billion. Major issues that are confronting the elders, from nutrition and wellness to access to affordable healthcare. In the region, geriatric healthcare cost is already forecast to reach to US$20 trillion by 2030. Thus, to improve access to quality healthcare and cost healthcare, innovative solutions are created.

These timely issues will be tackled at the Eldercare Exhibition and Conference (ELDEX) Asia conference, to be held 8 to 10 November 2019 at the Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre. ELDEX Asia will present a comprehensive spectrum of new and innovative solutions, products, services and technology by leading manufacturers and brands from around the world for the rapidly aging Asian societies.

The show has launched partnerships with various institutions and organisations to serve the needs of the elders sector.

ELDEX Asia’s Event Director, Joseph Yeo, intoned: ELDEX Asia aims to create a forum to catalyse businesses to either pivot towards or enter into the rapidly burgeoning silver industry. The show aims to engage other like-minded stakeholders to engender an ecosystem for eldercare.”

Institutions and organisations that are teaming up with ELDEX Asia include: SkillsFuture Singapore (SGS), Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP), Japan Science and Technology (JST) Agency, The Singapore Centre for Social Enterprise (raiSE) and SATS, Society for WINGS, Alzheimer’s Disease Association, and Singapore Nurses Association – Gerontological Nurses’ Chapter, Brands For Good (BFG), and Cycling Without Age (CWA)

To support upskilling of the workforce in the sector, SGS is participating for the first time, as a Skills Partner, together with training partners, such as HMI Institute of Health Sciences, and Tsao Foundation, to showcase the training programmes available. SSG will also feature the recently launched Skills Frameworks (SFws) for Healthcare and Social Service that provide key information on career pathways, and the skills and competencies required for various job roles in the sector. In addition, the NYP School of Health & Social Sciences is also curating a feature area – Therapeutic Living Spaces at ELDEX Asia. Together with ten of its partners and space transformation specialist, IM Space Pte Ltd, the feature area will showcase how smart technology when incorporated into living spaces can make them aged-proofed, especially for dementia care.

Dr Michael Fung, Deputy Chief Executive (Industry) of SSG said, “We have developed the Skills Frameworks for Healthcare and Social Service sectors to help build a skilled workforce that is essential to supporting a fast growing healthcare sector. Current and future healthcare and social service professionals can tap on these frameworks to identify and acquire the necessary and emerging technical skills and competencies required. SkillsFuture Singapore is also working closely with our training partners and key industry stakeholders to ensure that courses and training programmes remain relevant to changing business needs.”

Dr Bryan Chua, Director of NYP’s School of Health & Social Sciences, shared, “It is important for the elderly to live in an environment that is therapeutic, engaging and safe. Through ELDEX Asia, NYP continues to showcase its expertise in understanding what works best for the elderly. For example, we are able to recommend best practices in designing more inclusive living spaces. We also encourage healthcare professionals and lifelong learners to join our education and training programmes to better understand how to care for our ageing population holistically.”

For BFG, Yeo commented: There are strong philosophical and ethical underpinnings between BFG and ELDEX Asia, as both organisations aim to do good for our customers. This is why we decided to partner with BFG. We also collaborate with Care Envision to identify new and interesting products and solutions launched outside Singapore. We will continue to be open and welcome potential partners, including charities, to deliver an inclusive and integrated approach for eldercare.”

In line with identifying new technologies and solutions to do more with less in labour-tight Singapore, the organisers of ELDEX Asia have teamed up with the JST to curate a Japan pavilion comprising companies with new technologies.

“ELDEX Asia’s vision and value proposition fits squarely with platforms sought by JST to incept more Japanese technology companies into Southeast Asia,” observed Emi Kaneko, Director, JST Singapore Office. “We are excited to work closely with the organisers to raise greater awareness of how Japanese companies can enable productivity in providing care for seniors. Japan and Singapore share similar demographic trends of an ageing population and low fertility rates.”

Kerry Mok, Executive Vice President, Food Solutions, SATS, said,”Combining our culinary expertise with innovation, SATS enables more people to eat well by providing healthy, nutritious and great-tasting meals for the communities we serve, including the elderly.”

Marieke Bink, CEO, CWA Singapore,concluded, ” Like ELDEX Asia, we believe in ensuring that any gaps in eldercare are suitably plugged. Providing seniors with the opportunity to venture beyond their usual confines into the community, with the help of volunteers that engage in meaningful conversations and story-telling, has proven to be highly effective in reducing isolation and loneliness in seniors. Apart from trishaw rides, CWA Singapore offers training programmes on ageing simulation and communication, longevity and caregiver wellness as part of its holistic approach to building an ecosystem of empathy for seniors.”

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