An overview of the living arrangements and social support exchanges of older Singaporeans

Abstract

This study provides an overview of the living arrangements and social support exchanges of elderly in Singapore. Data were obtained from the 1995 National Survey of Senior Citizens among a subset of a nationally representative sample, which included 4001 persons aged over 60 years. The dependency ratio shifted to 46 elderly persons/100 working adults in 1988. The government is very concerned about the potential for the decline in familial care of the elderly and has enacted legislation to monitor familial support. The Central Provident Fund (CPF) provides a retirement plan and other savings plans for education, medical insurance, investment, and housing that are divided into 3 accounts. About 33% of the elderly have CPF accounts. 50% of elderly males, but only 16.8% of elderly females, have CPF accounts. A larger proportion of future cohorts will have CPF accounts. Only 12.7% of the elderly believe that their CPF savings will be sufficient to cover their financial needs. 87% of the elderly in 1995, lived with at least one of their children; 66.8% lived with a son and 42.1% lived with a daughter. 3.3% lived alone and 5.9% lived with a spouse only. 55.5% lived with 1 or more unmarried children. 36.4% lived in a 3-generation household. A high percentage of divorced or separated elderly lived alone. The Chinese showed greater son preference than the Malays and Indians. Coresidence may involve flows of resources both ways. Divorced or separated seniors with coresident children were more likely to assist with housework, provide money, and consult on family matters.