According to the World Health Organization, by 2030, 1 in 6 people in the world will be aged 60 years or over. At this time the share of the population aged 60 years and over will increase from 1 billion in 2020 to 1.4 billion. By 2050, 80% of older people will be living in low- and middle-income countries. The pace of population aging is much faster than in the past. What is happening in Singapore applies to the entire globe. Aging has surpassed cancer and became the biggest challenge in human’s life ¹. 

A longer lifespan presents opportunities not only for the elderly and their families, but also for society. With more years comes the possibility of pursuing new ventures like higher education, a new profession, or rediscovering an old hobby. Older people make numerous contributions to their families and communities. However, the degree of these opportunities and contributions relies largely on one critical factor: good health.

Untreated or poorly managed chronic diseases can lead to life-threatening complications especially for elderly populations, which may result in the need for costly treatments and hospitalization. However, with early detection and good monitoring and management of these chronic conditions, complications can be avoided or delayed. Patients are encouraged to have a regular family doctor and actively manage their conditions through regular monitoring, and lifestyle changes ² .

Reference:

¹https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ageing-and-health#:~:text=By%202030%2C%201%20in%206,will%20double%20(2.1%20billion).

²https://www.moh.gov.sg/hpp/all-healthcare-professionals/guidelines/GuidelineDetails/medisave-for-chronic-disease-management-program-and-vaccinations