I’m in Singapore for two weeks as part of a long standing program between Singapore Institute of Management (SIM) and Sydney Nursing School, University of Sydney. The Bachelor of Nursing (BN) (post-Registration) is taught by academics from Sydney Nursing School and designed for Registered Nurses who want to extend their clinical practice and progress as a nursing leader.
While here, I have spent some time observing and researching dual sensory impairment in Singapore. Singapore shares some similarities with Australia in relation to their ageing population, in fact Singapore has one of the most rapidly ageing populations worldwide with estimates that by 2030, one in four Singaporeans will be aged over 65 years (Population in Brief, 2023). Additionally, the number of Singaporean citizens aged over 80 years has increased by approximately 70% from 2013 to 2023. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, in his recent (2023) speech, identified the extraordinary changes to Singaporean society as a result of ageing, from social, economy, environmental to health care; further emphasising that underpinning all government strategies was a need to strengthen the ‘culture of respect’ to older Singaporeans.
As with other advanced economies with an ageing population, sensory loss is a key issue. The prevalence of self-reported vision impairment (i.e., self-reported poor or fair vision) and hearing impairment (i.e. self-reported poor or fair hearing) in Singapore was 30.7% and 25.6% respectively in 2016-2017 among older adults. A number of projects are currently underway in Singapore to better understand the needs of older adults with sensory loss and provide contextually based solutions. Residential aged care facilities in Singapore also have high prevalence of DSI with studies noting the impact on well being of residents.
Project Silver Screen (PSS) is a national community-based screening programme for oral health, vision and hearing of older Singaporeans aged 60 and above. It aims to support ageing in place, enable early detection of loss, and provide appropriate follow-up services. Digging into the results further, combined vison and hearing loss (or DSI) made up 11% of the total sample (n=75, 985) highlighting the high burden of sensory impairment among older adults in Singapore.
The STEADFAST study (2023) is an exciting collaboration between the National Neuroscience Institute, the Singapore Eye Research Institute, Changi General Hospital and the Lien Foundation. Acknowledging the recent work of The Lancet in advancing our understanding of sensory loss and dementia, this study focusses on understanding vision, hearing and dual sensory loss and their connection to dementia. Additionally, participants in this study, while also receiving standardised care such as hearing aids etc, there will be further support such as, behavioural support and counselling, cognitive rehabilitation, and psychosocial therapy offered.
And from the Straits Times
