19 November 2018
Question
Ms Joan Pereira
MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC
To ask the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) to date, how many Singaporeans aged 65 and above have made their Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA); and (b) how can the Government better reach out to this group of senior citizens to do an LPA, especially with mental distress being on the rise.
Answer
Currently, there are about 23,000 Singaporeans aged 65 and above who have made their Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA), out of the total of 51,000.
The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) has been working closely with various organisations to raise awareness on the importance of making an LPA among seniors. These include conducting talks and disseminating LPA collaterals at community touch points such as Community Centres, public libraries and Senior Activity Centres. Going forward, we will work with Silver Generation Office to promote awareness of LPA. We have also promoted the LPA through radio. We will continue to tap on mass media and social media to reach out to more seniors.
For seniors with no family support, the newly launched Professional Deputies and Donees scheme allows them to appoint registered professionals such as lawyers, accountants and medical professionals as their donees in an LPA.
The application fee waiver for Singapore Citizens making an LPA Form 1 has been extended to 31 August 2020 and we encourage more seniors to make their LPAs.