Screening programmes for high-risk groups have been introduced for the early detection of lifestyle diseases like hypertension, diabetes, heart disease and certain cancers. The principle behind caring for the elderly is to make use of health promotion and disease prevention programmes to enable the elderly to remain fit and active in the community. When disease and disability set in, they should be cared for in the community for as long as possible. Institutionalisation should be used sparingly and only as a measure of last resort. The Government is not only involved in the planning of health services for the elderly, but also the funding and regulation of such services.
Emphasis is placed on individual responsibility, as well as family and community involvement.
The strategy is to encourage Voluntary Welfare Organisations to be the main service providers for elder care services, with government assisting in the funding and other areas.