Provision of Food, Shelter and Care Services for Elderly People

This Performance Audit report aimed to evaluate whether the Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Women, and Special Groups, along with the Prime Minister’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government, were effectively providing social care services to destitute elderly people, ensuring they attained a reasonable quality of life. The audit covered the five financial years from 2020/21 to 2024/25.

The audit noted limited access to social care services for destitute elders; the admission of elders to elderly homes without obtaining permits from the Commissioner of Social Welfare; and Government elderly homes that did not adequately meet minimum design standards in line with the proposed best-practice requirements. Furthermore, it noted that 38% of all elderly homes needed maintenance or rehabilitation; a lack of special meal programs designed for elderly individuals with specific health conditions; insufficient availability of assistive devices in the elderly homes; and no conduct of supportive supervision in Government elderly care homes between 2021/22 and 2024/25, despite the presence of plans.

The audit recommended that the Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Women, and Special Groups develop building designs, prioritise the implementation of rehabilitation and regular maintenance for elderly homes, and accelerate the review of the national legal framework for elderly people. Likewise, the Prime Minister’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government is urged to develop a guideline, with a corresponding template, for conducting social inquiry investigations for identified destitute elders.