Paolo Castro, General Manager for Helpling Singapore, shares why mental health must be treated with the same importance as physical care in shaping how Singapore’s seniors age with dignity and emotional well-being.
Singapore is steadily moving toward becoming a super-aged society, with one in four residents expected to be 65 or older by 2030. Conversations about ageing have rightly focused on healthcare infrastructure, subsidies, and ageing-in-place. Yet amid these efforts, one aspect of elder care remains less discussed than others – mental health.
Emotional Health Is Part of Ageing Well
Despite Singapore’s progress in expanding access to mental health support, older adults remain less likely to seek help. The Ministry of Health’s National Population Survey previously found that adults aged 60 to 74 were among the least likely to access formal mental health services despite reporting emotional challenges. Other studies by the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) reported that dementia affects roughly 8.8% of Singapore’s elderly population with nearly half of these cases going untreated. These figures suggest that while awareness has improved, older adults still face barriers such as stigma, cost concerns, or the belief that psychological distress is simply “part of ageing”.
For many seniors, the challenges of ageing extend far beyond the physical. Chronic pain, incontinence, and sensory decline are often treated as medical conditions, but they also affect how seniors see themselves and engage with others. Losing the ability to perform once-simple tasks can quietly erode confidence and independence, often leading to frustration or social withdrawal.
In some households, families have found delicate ways to preserve that sense of autonomy. Caregivers sometimes step back or quietly observe, allowing elders to manage their daily routines as independently as possible. It’s a subtle gesture that recognises how control and participation are closely tied to self-worth.
Beyond individual experiences, the home environment plays an equally significant role in shaping emotional well-being. A safe, well-lit, and uncluttered home fosters calm and confidence, while poor layouts or clutter can trigger anxiety and reduce mobility. Living arrangements also carry psychological weight. Ageing at home provides comfort and familiarity, while institutional care, though sometimes necessary, can cause feelings of lost independence. Dignity therefore is not only determined by medical attention but truly sustained through the spaces and routines that give seniors a sense of ownership over their lives.
Caregiver Well-being Is Elder Well-being
Caregivers form another crucial part of this equation. Many families balance their own work and household responsibilities while caring for ageing parents or relatives. The resulting stress and fatigue can take a toll on their emotional health, with ripple effects on the seniors they care for.
In recent years, caregiver burnout has emerged as a growing concern in Singapore’s ageing conversation, with more families openly acknowledging the strain and emotional toll of long-term care. Seniors that are aware of this pressure, often try to make themselves “less of a burden,” which adds to their own emotional weight. Addressing elder mental health therefore means viewing both seniors and caregiver well-being as having an influence on each other, and supporting them accordingly.
Dignity Through Everyday Support
Through our experience within homes across Singapore, it is evident that mental health is closely linked to dignity and the environments which they age in. Small shifts, such as ensuring homes are safe and accessible, encouraging meaningful social interaction, and allowing seniors to retain a sense of choice in their daily lives, can make a significant difference to their emotional well-being. Supporting caregivers through understanding, respite, and shared responsibility also reinforces this ecosystem of care, helping both seniors and their families feel more supported and resilient.
Singapore has made impressive strides in extending lifespan and improving medical access. The next step needs to ensure those additional years provided are lived with purpose, connection, and emotional resilience. Ageing well should not only be about survival, but about dignity. Recognising and addressing the mental health of seniors is how we build a future where longevity and quality of life go hand in hand.
