Issue No: 1/2010 - MINDS

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Planning for Tomorrow Today Text by Office of the Public Guardian, MCYS Our ability to make decisions can be weakened by a severe accident or illness. With the Mental Capacity Act, the elderly in particular can benefit from advanced planning for such an eventuality. 63-year-old retiree Lim Chong Tong is concerned that he may suffer from dementia one day and lose his ability to make decisions. He planned to get his youngest son Boon Keong, a bank employee, to manage his financial affairs for him should that happen. His worry is not unfounded as geriatric illnesses like Alzheimer’s disease has become more prevalent in Singapore. Our proportion of senior citizens aged 65 and above is estimated to reach 18.7% in 2030 and according to a study by the United Nations, Singapore would be the world’s fourth oldest country by 2050. These forecasts, on top of the nation’s low fertility rate, exert mounting pressure on our younger generation to take care of their elders. About the Act In line with the government’s efforts to develop strong social infrastructure to support this greying trend, the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports introduced the Mental Capacity Act that was passed by Parliament in September 2008. Under the Act, individuals aged 21 years or older (known as the “donor”) and who have the mental capacity to make a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) can appoint one or more persons (known as the “donee”) whom they trust to make decisions for them in the event they lose their mental capacity. With such flexibility, Chong Tong can benefit from the ideal arrangement of appointing his eldest daughter Swee Lin, who is meticulous and caring, to look after his personal welfare matters, while Boon Keong handles his financial matters. In order to authorise both children as his legal deputies decision-making proxies, Chong Tong needs to make and register the LPA with the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG). He can also specify in his LPA the authorities that each of them have with regard to the respective areas they are appointed to act on his behalf and the type of decisions they can make, such as managing his bank account, deciding where he is to live, giving consent to his medical treatment. This allows him to indicate his preferences and in so doing, provide clarity for all the parties involved, so that they know when to act and for what purposes. Most importantly, all these arrangements will give Chong Tong and his family a peace of mind. As unexpected crisis can befall at any time, it is wise to take charge and plan ahead like Chong Tong. To find out more about the Mental Capacity Act, visit the OPG website at www.publicguardian.gov.sg. You can also call the OPG at 1800 226 6222 or email to enquiry@publicguardian.gov.sg for queries or information on upcoming activities. 17 mindspeak: the heartvoice of special people
Fast Forward Parents and caregivers might want to note the following Caregivers Workshop which is coming up soon: Workshop: Physical Activities for ADL Training and Fitness Programme at home and community. Date : Saturday, 21 August 2010 Time: 10.00am to 12.15pm Venue: MHP - MINDSville@Napiri Recommended for: Parents and caregivers of clients (above 18 years old) from MINDS TDCs Interested caregivers please call Mr Tin Maung Aye at 6468 0566. Seats are on first-come-first-serve basis. 18
Page 1 and 2: Wild Brother Three Boats Boats at S
Page 3 and 4: Message from the President When the
Page 5 and 6: Sports for the Mind Text and photos
Page 7 and 8: Celebrating Volunteerism Text and p
Page 9 and 10: New MINDS shops Text by Leroy Lee P
Page 11 and 12: Quotes ... From Winner and Nominees
Page 13 and 14: Our Valedictorians for 2009 Photo b
Page 15 and 16: Warming the Hearts through Art Text
Page 17: PAT Programme @ MINDSville Text by

Issue No: 1/2010 - MINDS

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