Abstract
Whilst the prevalence of elder abuse (EA) remains under-investigated in Singapore, EA is bound to be a growing challenge due to an ageing population and the high expectation of caregiving on the immediate family. The Singapore government has set up platforms for preventing and managing EA, such as the establishment of the National Family Violence Networking System, the Family Violence Dialogue Group and Family Violence Specialist Centres. Legislative framework has also been developed to protect vulnerable elders. However, there are still many implementation and practice gaps in detecting and managing cases of EA, especially for frontline care teams working in the various community aged care services. Due to the specific attributes and needs of the vulnerable elders, a team-based multidisciplinary care management approach is required for the detection, assessment, care planning, protective segregation, risk mitigation, rehabilitation and long-term prevention of EA. Ultimately, sustainable prevention of EA amongst community-dwelling elders lies in the building of an age-friendly and resilient community, whereby people of all ages are empowered and supported to own and contribute to the collective ecosystem of care for one another.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Notes
- 1.
Since its inception in 1993, the Hua Mei Mobile Clinic (HMMC) of Tsao Foundation has been providing home-based primary care and care management service to elders who are too frail to leave homes to visit their family doctors. Many of them require maximal assistance in all areas of activities of daily living: including showers, dressing, continence, mobility and feeding. The median age of HMMC clients is 85; about half of the clients are diagnosed with dementia. EA has been made one of the main agendas of HMMC due to a higher level of vulnerability of the clients it serves.
- 2.
Constituting inputs from Prof. Pang Weng Sun of Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (Alexandra Health), Dr. Ong Jin Ee previously of TOUCH Home Care and Dr. Yea Kok Chin of Hua Mei Mobile Clinic (Tsao foundation).
- 3.
This workgroup is no longer in operation.
- 4.
This survey is the first national population-based survey from Singapore on informal caregiving for community-dwelling older adults aged 75 and over who require human assistance with at least one activity of daily living (ADL).
- 5.
FSCs function as the first stop in supporting families’ social, psychological, emotional and financial needs. They are located in every housing estate in Singapore.
- 6.
SAGE and the Golden Life Workgroup on Elder Abuse Prevention are no longer in operation.
- 7.
To be eligible for the Maintenance Order, the applicant has to be aged 60 years and above, unable to maintain him/herself adequately, and had been unsuccessful in receiving support from children through mediation and conciliation.
- 8.
Definition of Vulnerable Adults under the Draft Vulnerable Adults Bill, Ministry of Social and Family Development.
- 9.
In the sense of being disempowered and insecure.
- 10.
Further elaboration of CNA is available in Section “Comprehensive Needs Assessment (CNA)”.
- 11.
Mental Health (Care and Treatment) Act 2008 (Revised 2012), S7.
- 12.
Women’s Charter 1961 (Revised 2009), S65.
- 13.
Women’s Charter 1961 (Revised 2009), S66.
- 14.
Women’s Charter 1961 (Revised 2009), S65(5)(a).
- 15.
For instance, improving semi-ambulant elders’ independence with universal design and improving access to technology such as by making automated wheelchairs affordable and building ramps in their living environment.
References
Chan, A., T. Ostbye, R. Malhotra, A. Hu. 2012. The survey on informal caregiving. Study commissioned by Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports. https://www.msf.gov.sg/publications/Pages/The-Survey-on-Informal-Caregiving.aspx. Accessed 10 Feb 2017.
Chan, Sze Ki Odelia, Gang Hiang Ho, and Ching Yee Tan. 2014. An archival study on ecological risks factor and stressors in incidences of elder mistreatment in TRANS SAFE Centre and recommendation to strengthen elder protection work in Singapore.https://www.duke-nus.edu.sg/care/wp-content/uploads/An-archival-study-on-ecological-risks-factors-and-stressors-in-incidences-of-elder-mistreatment-in-TRANS-SAFE-Centre-recommendations-to-strengthen-elder-protection-work-in-Sg.pdf. Accessed 10 Feb 2017.
Chan, Wing-Cheong. 2011. Victims of elder abuse in Singapore a study of cases at TRANS SAFE Centre. In Singapore’s aging population managing healthcare and end-of-life decisions, ed. Wing-Cheong Chan, 83–98. New York: Routledge.
Goh, Olivia. 2006. Successful ageing—A review of Singapore’s policy approaches. Ethos 1: 16–23. https://www.csc.gov.sg/docs/default-source/ethos/ethos-is01.pdf. Accessed 15 Mar 2017.
Johannesen, Mark, and Dina Logiudic. 2013. Elder abuse: A systematic review of risk factors in community-dwelling elders. Age and Ageing 42 (3): 292–298. https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afs.
Kang, Soon Hock, ErnSer Tan, and MuiTeng Yap. 2013. National survey of senior citizens 2011. Institute of Policy Studies Report. Commissioned by Elder and Disability Group, Ministry of Social and Family Development. https://www.duke-nus.edu.sg/care/wp-content/uploads/National-Survey-of-Senior-Citizens-2011.pdf. Accessed 15 Feb 2017.
Lachs, M.S., and K.A. Pillemer. 2004. Elder abuse. The Lancet 364 (9441): 1263–1272. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(04)17144-4.
Lachs, M.S., C.S. Williams, S. O’Brien, K.A. Pillemer, and M.E. Charlson. 1998. The mortality of elder mistreatment. JAMA 280 (5): 428–432. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.280.5.428.
Ministry of Health. 2015. Speech by Mr. Gan Kim Yong, Minister for Health, at the SG50 Scientific Conference on Ageing, on 19 Mar 2015. Ministry of Health Press Room. https://www.moh.gov.sg/content/moh_web/home/pressRoom/speeches_d/2015/speech-by-mr-gan-kim-yong–minister-for-health–at-the-sg50-scie.html. Accessed 10 Feb 2017.
Ministry of Social and Family Development. 2017. e-mail to author, 5 Feb 2017.
National Population and Talent Division. 2016. Population in brief 2016. https://www.strategygroup.gov.sg/docs/default-source/Population/population-in-brief-2016.pdf. Accessed 18 Feb 2017.
Ong, J.E., W.C. Ng. 2004. A case series of elder abuse reported to Two Home Care Agencies in Singapore. Unpublished work by the author.
Pang, Jonathan. 2011. Management of elder abuse and neglect. The Singapore Family Physician 37 (1): 35–39.
Pillemer, Karl, David Burnes, Catherine Riffin, and Mark S. Lachs. 2016. Elder abuse: Global situation, risk factors, and prevention strategies. The Gerontologist 56 (Suppl 2): S194–S205. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnw004.
SAGE. 2004. Say ‘NO’ to elder abuse: Report for the Ministry of Community Development and Sports. Singapore: SAGE Counselling Centre and Golden Life Workgroup on Elder Abuse Prevention.
Sandmoe, Astrid, and Marit Kirkevold. 2011. Nurses’ clinical assessments of older clients who are suspected victims of abuse: An exploratory study in community care in Norway. Journal of Clinical Nursing 20 (1–2): 94–102. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2702.2010.03483.x.
Subramaniam, M., et al. 2015. Prevalence of dementia in people aged 60 years and above: Results from the WiSE study. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease 45 (4): 1127–1138. https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-142769.
United Nations. 2002. Abuse of older persons: Recognizing and responding to abuse of older persons in a global context: Report of the Secretary-General. http://www.un.org/swaa2002/ecn52002pc2eng.pdf.Accessed, 15 Apr 2017.
World Health Organisation. 2007. Global age-friendly cities: A guide. http://www.aarp.org/content/dam/aarp/home-and-family/livable-communities/2013-12/global-age-friendly-cities-guide-english.pdf.Accessed, 15 Apr 2017.
World Health Organisation. 2015. World report on ageing and health. WHO/FWC/ALC/15.01. Luxembourg. http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/186468/1/WHO_FWC_ALC_15.01_eng.pdf?ua=1. Accessed 15 Apr 2017.
Yan, Elsie, Ko-Ling Chan, and Agnes Tiwari. 2015. A systematic review of prevalence and risk factors for elder abuse in Asia. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse 16 (2): 199–219. https://doi.org/10.1177/1524838014555033.
Yu-Foo, Y.S. 2007. Oral answers to questions: Elder abuse. Singapore Parliamentary debates, official report. 83, col. 215 (10 Apr).
Acknowledgements
We would like to show our gratitude to those who have reviewed and commented on an earlier version of the manuscript, although all opinions and any errors are entirely ours. They are Ms Tan Ching Yee (TRANS Family Services); A/Prof. Chan Wing Cheong (Faculty of Law, National University of Singapore); Mr. Alvin Chua (Singapore Association of Social Workers); Ms. Ngo Lee Yian and her team (Ministry of Social and Family Development, Singapore); Dr. Yea Kok Chin (Hua Mei Mobile Clinic, Tsao Foundation); Prof. Pang Weng Sun (Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Alexandra Health); and Dr. Ong Jin Ee and TOUCH Home Care, TOUCH Community Services.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2020 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Ng, W.C., Lim, Z.Z.B., Kadir, M.M. (2020). A Multidisciplinary Care Management Approach to Preventing and Managing Elder Abuse: The Singapore Experience. In: Shankardass, M. (eds) International Handbook of Elder Abuse and Mistreatment. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-8610-7_27
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-8610-7_27
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore
Print ISBN: 978-981-13-8609-1
Online ISBN: 978-981-13-8610-7
eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)