20. To ensure the independence of older persons and their access to right to health, there are three main areas to be looked into (i) General health including physical, mental and social health disabilities; (ii) The ability to perform basic self-care activities, and (iii) The ability to perform more complex self-care activities that will allow for greater independence. 21. Dr. Molly Cheah further recommended the following: a. The early detection of treatable conditions, like cataract, glaucoma to prevent blindness and result in better quality of life; b. Pre-retirement and post-retirement courses help retirees to anticipate avoidable pitfalls during old age so that they can manage their lives better; c. Addressing the needs of those who have to be placed in institutional homes to ensure they are cared for appropriately with dignity and compassion. The differential of admission by the older persons to care centre and nursing homes should be made according to their health status. The Care Centre Act 1993 does not define the types of enrolment of older persons in institution homes; however it is recommended that enrolment should be based on the health conditions of older persons; d. Some old-old56 persons with multiple and severe conditions should be managed humanely and not be subjected to heroic interventions; e. To have a clear definition of community care. There appears to be a lack of satisfactory definition of community care and some confusion as to its meaning. The narrow definition refers to the provision of domiciliary rather than institutional services, while the wider definition of community care refers to treatment and care outside hospitals or residential/ nursing homes, which ensure mutual aid, and giving those older persons a sense of well being; 56 Old-old person who is age 75 and older REPORT ON CARE SERVICES FOR OLDER PERSONS AND SUPPORT FOR CAREGIVERS 59

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