December 8, 2009 by Our Correspondent
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The Health Promotion Board has launched a public campaign to
increase the awareness of Singaporeans of the signs of depression
in the elderly.
The exhibition – “Inside a depressed mind” is currently held at
Tan Tock Seng Hospital till December 18 before it is moved to
another venue.
According to figures published in the state media, one out of
twenty or five per cent of Singapore elderly are depressed.
Clinical depression is usually diagnosed based on symptoms such
as persistent low mood for more than two weeks, loss of appetite,
insomnia, low libido and a general lack of interest in life.
Depression sometimes goes unnoticed and some elderly people
suffer in silence, said Dr Daniel Kwek, the head and senior
consultant at the department of psychological medicine in TTSH.
Among those who do recover, up to half will have a relapse
within two years, he added.
It may be more difficult to detect depression in the elderly as
they often present with vague symptoms which are perceived wrongly
as a normal part of aging like fatigue, poor appetite and disturbed
sleep.
Many also have concomitant medical conditions which mask or
mimic the symptoms of depression.
Prolonged depression is also a key contributory cause of suicide
which is increasing among the elderly population and is often
exacerbated by financial concerns and a sense of loneliness.
Shin Min Daily reported a case of a 74 year old breast cancer
patient who plunged to her death from a flat because of persistent
worry and fear that she will become a burden to her family.
Singapore’s suicide rate is 9.15 per 100,000 residents in 2007.
Among those aged 65 years and above, suicide rates increased from
69 in 2006 to 87 in 2007 (Source: Straits Times, April 2008)
With an aging population, the suicide rate among elderly looks
set to increase.
Singapore has few social welfare benefits for its elderly
citizens who have to depend entirely on their savings or children
to spend their twilight years.
Though the government insists that public healthcare is
affordable in Singapore, ordinary Singaporeans continue to be
plagued by lingering concerns that they will be unable to afford to
pay the hefty medical expenses should they be struck by a serious
illness.
Few elderly qualify for the Public Assistance (PA) scheme
offered by the Ministry of Community, Youth and Sports. One must be
certified completely unfit to work by a doctor and be completely
destitute without any living kin to be eligible to apply.
Even then, the monthly living allowance of $330 provided under
the PA scheme is hardly sufficient to maintain a decent quality of
life in high-cost Singapore.
When asked by PAP MP Dr Lily Neo a few years ago to
increase the allowance which is then only $290 a month, Minister
for Community, Youth and Sports Dr Vivian Balakrishnan
retorted:
“How much do you want? Do you want three meals in a hawker
centre, food court or restaurant?”
