Home Visits by Silver Generation Ambassadors
Parliamentary Question, 4 Sep 2019
Ms Anthea Ong asked the Minister for Health (a) what is the average number of home visits conducted by each Silver Generation Office (SGO) ambassador; (b) what is the ratio between SGO ambassadors and households; © what is the average time period between home visits by SGO ambassadors for households requiring follow-ups and for households not requiring follow-ups respectively; and (d) what is the total amount of money spent to make possible the home visits conducted by SGO ambassadors.
Mr Gan Kim Yong: Home visits are primarily carried out by around 3000 Silver Generation Ambassadors (SGAs), who are volunteers. On average, each SGA conducts 85 engagements per year.
SGAs typically engage seniors at least once every 18 months. For seniors with more complex needs, the visits would usually be more frequent and some of these visits would be made by SGO staff rather than SGAs. SGO staff would work with community providers to develop an integrated and holistic package of support for the seniors.
SGAs are given an allowance of $10 per senior engaged.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Anthea Ong is a Nominated Member of Parliament. (A Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) is a Member of the Parliament of Singapore who is appointed by the President. They are not affiliated to any political party and do not represent any constituency. There are currently nine NMPs in Parliament.)
The multi-sector perspective that comes from her ground immersion of 12 years in different capacities helps her translate single-sector issues and ideas across boundaries without alienating any particular community/group. As an entrepreneur and with many years in business leadership, it is innate in her to discuss social issues with the intent of finding solutions, or at least of exploring possibilities. She champions mental health, diversity and inclusion — and volunteerism in Parliament.
She is also an impact entrepreneur/investor and a passionate mental health advocate, especially in workplace wellbeing. She started WorkWell Leaders Workgroup in May 2018 to bring together top leaders (CXOs, Heads of HR/CSR/D&I) of top employers in Singapore (both public and private) to share, discuss and co-create inclusive practices to promote workplace wellbeing. Anthea is also the founder of Hush TeaBar, Singapore’s 1st silent teabar and a social movement that aims to bring silence, self care and social inclusion into every workplace, every community — with a cup of tea. The Hush Experience is completely led by lovingly-trained Deaf facilitators, supported by a team of Persons with Mental Health Issues (PMHIs).
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