SINGAPORE — More seniors will receive transport subsidies to visit government-funded eldercare and dialysis centres, announced Senior Minister of State for Health Amy Khor in Parliament today (March 12) during the ministry’s Committee of Supply debate.

Come April, transport subsidies under the Seniors’ Mobility and Enabling Fund (SMF) will be extended to all seniors requiring some form of mobility assistance. Currently, only wheelchair-bound seniors are entitled to these subsidies. The level of funding will now depend on mobility needs.

Ms Khor added that more funding will be given to eldercare providers to arrange for specialised transport for less mobile seniors.

The extra funds for eldercare providers will cost the Health Ministry an additional S$14 million, out of the SMF.

The extension of transport subsidies is meant to encourage seniors to continue with rehabilitation, said Ms Khor.

“The fact that elderly may not follow up with rehab could be due to other factors as well, such as no transport to day rehab,” she said, in reply to queries from Members of Parliament Tin Pei Ling and Low Thia Kiang on rehabilitation services.

Since July 2011, about 2,000 seniors have received transport subsidies under the SMF. Another 1,000 seniors are expected to benefit from the latest enhancement.