Mobility of Older Adults in Singapore

What is it about?

Singapore’s population is living longer and while this is a positive development, it is necessary to understand how much of this 'improved' life expectancy is spent with and without mobility limitations. This research uses available data from the National Survey of Senior Citizens to examine the situation in 2011 and explores changes that may have occurred since the last survey in 2005.

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Why is it important?

This study seeks to add to earlier research in this area for Singapore. It uses the prevalence-based Sullivan method to calculate lifetime free of mobility limitations for this population. Conclusions from this research include evidence pointing to changing prevalence rates among the older adult population and observations that suggest the possibility of a compression of morbidity for this population in 2011 compared with an expansion of morbidity observed in the previous survey conducted in 2005. The research also shows that women continue to be disadvantaged as they age compared with men.