Deep Dive Best of: More elderly Singaporeans are living alone – should we be concerned?
Dec 10, 2025
Karen Wee, Executive Director of Lions Befrienders, and Dr. Reuben Ng, a social gerontology expert, dive into the alarming rise of elderly Singaporeans living alone, which has doubled in a decade. They discuss the urgent need for community support and the dangers of isolation, linking loneliness to serious health risks. Reuben challenges ageist stereotypes, advocating for assessing capabilities over age. Together, they explore innovative solutions, from tech to tailored engagement programs, to empower seniors and improve their quality of life.
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Loneliness Harms Health And Costs More
- Social isolation causes both physical harms (like undetected falls) and psychological harms driven by negative age stereotypes. These effects increase healthcare costs and worsen older adults' wellbeing.
Preserve Older Adults' Autonomy
- Avoid overprotecting older adults because it reduces their autonomy and physical resilience. Let them perform tasks to maintain strength and independence.
Bring Support Into Neighbourhoods
- Do build community-based outreach and multiple local access points so seniors need not travel far to join activities. Bring services to clusters of blocks and run activities at multiple neighbourhood sites.