Health Screening for Elderly in Singapore: What You Need to Know

What is health screening for the elderly?

A health screening for the elderly refers to regular medical check-ups for senior citizens aged 65 years and over. This is because the risk of developing medical conditions such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and various chronic diseases increases with age, and these conditions don’t always show symptoms. 

Hence, seniors are recommended to undergo regular health screenings. These tests can identify these conditions early, leading to timely intervention and better management. In Singapore, health screenings for the elderly can be performed at private or public hospitals, polyclinics, and general practitioners' (GP) clinics.

To encourage more seniors to undergo regular health screenings and make them more accessible, the Singaporean government has established the Screen for Life (SFL) programme. This national screening programme offers subsidised rates to eligible Singapore citizens and permanent residents.

What to prepare before the screening

If you are caring for an elderly parent, it is recommended that you schedule an appointment at your preferred clinic to ensure a smooth health screening process. Booking in advance reduces waiting times for elderly patients and allows them to receive guidance from clinic staff regarding any specific requirements for their screening.

This is because some preparation may be necessary depending on the tests required. Therefore, before your parents or grandparents undergo a health screening, you will need to ensure that they have made the necessary preparations. Here are some general preparations that might be needed:

• Identification, such as NRIC or passport

• Recent medical reports (if available)

• Current medications and supplements

• Fasting (no food or drinks except plain water for at least 8–10 hours) for certain blood tests

• If a stool sample is required, it should be collected after 5 pm the night before or on the morning of the appointment

• Make sure the senior gets a good night's sleep before their appointment.

If they are unwell or have any questions about the preparation steps, please consult the doctor. Ensure that they take their regular medications, unless advised otherwise. Proper preparations help to ensure that the health screening results are as accurate and reliable as possible.

For further information about health screening for the elderly in Singapore, request an appointment with Thomson Medical. Our healthcare team can provide additional information and support throughout the screening process.

Available health screening package for the elderly

In Singapore, various health screening packages are available for people aged 65 and over. These screenings can help to detect age-related disorders at an early stage and promote healthy ageing. Although the specific content of these packages may vary depending on where the tests are carried out, they typically include one or more of the following tests.

Eye screening

Seniors are advised to have an eye screening every one to two years to monitor for age-related eye diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration. However, eye tests can be carried out earlier, from the age of 40, to monitor changes in vision.

There are a few different types of eye tests available:

• Visual acuity test:

  • This test measures visual acuity (normal vision) and is usually performed using a Snellen chart. Seniors will be required to read letters from a distance to assess their ability to see at different distances.

• Refraction test:

  • This test determines whether the seniors have nearsightedness (distant objects look blurry), farsightedness (close objects look blurry), or astigmatism (blurred or distorted vision at all distances).

• Colour vision test:

  • This type of eye check assesses the ability of older people to distinguish colours. Problems with colour vision can be caused by a disease affecting the optic nerve, such as glaucoma, or ageing.

• Tonometry test:

  • A tonometry test measures the pressure inside the eyes (intraocular pressure) to check for glaucoma, which is a condition that can damage the optic nerve and is more common among the elderly.

• Amsler grid:

  • This visual testing tool is used to detect distortions in central vision caused by conditions affecting the retina due to ageing.

Heart health screening

Senior citizens are known to be at a higher risk of developing heart failure and cardiovascular diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, and peripheral arterial disease. Therefore, regular screening is essential for providing information about heart health.

Below are some heart health screenings available for the elderly, which include:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG):

  • An ECG test is a simple test that monitors the heartbeat. By recording the heart's electrical activity, an ECG can help to identify heart attacks and arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats), which are common in elderly people.

• Exercise stress test:

  • Also known as the treadmill stress test, this test checks the electrical activity of the heart during physical exertion, such as running on a treadmill or cycling.

• Blood pressure monitoring:

  • This test identifies increases in blood pressure and hypertension, which are key risk factors for heart disease.

• Lipid profile test:

  • A lipid profile test is used to check the total cholesterol level (TC), low-density lipoprotein level (LDL), high-density lipoprotein level (HDL), and triglyceride level (TG), all of which are indicators of the risk of developing heart disease.

Diabetes health screening

In Singapore, diabetes screening is done through a glucose blood test, which is recommended for seniors over the age of 65. However, those at risk are advised to undergo screening at an earlier age and more frequently. Diabetes screening tests include:

• Fasting blood glucose (FBS):

  • A fasting blood glucose test measures blood glucose (sugar) levels after fasting for 8 to 12 hours. Fasting blood glucose tests provide a more accurate picture of baseline blood sugar levels, as they eliminate the influence of glucose from recent meals.

• Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)

  • The oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) evaluates how effectively the body processes glucose into energy.

• Random blood glucose (RBS):

  • This test measures blood sugar levels at any time, without the need for fasting.

• HbA1c test:

  • An HbA1c test screens for the average level of blood sugar in the body over the past three months. If the average blood sugar level is high, this may indicate diabetes.

Kidney health screening

Senior citizens with hypertension and diabetes are at a higher risk of developing kidney disease. Therefore, annual screening tests are recommended for individuals at risk of chronic kidney disease. Kidney health screenings include:

• Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) tests:

  • An eGFR test is a blood test that checks how well the kidneys are filtering toxins (waste products), such as creatinine, from the blood. Healthy kidneys filter creatinine (a waste product from muscle metabolism) and discharge it through urine.

  • However, when kidney function declines, creatinine gradually accumulates in the blood. This accumulation can be detected and may indicate impaired kidney function or chronic kidney disease.

• Urinalysis:

  • A urinalysis is a series of tests that examine the appearance of urine and check for blood cells, proteins, and other substances present in it.

  • This test can be used to look for signs of infection, kidney or liver disease, diabetes, and other health conditions.

• Kidney ultrasound:

  • A kidney ultrasound is a non-invasive diagnostic procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves to create detailed images of the kidneys, bladder, and uterus.

  • This imaging procedure allows healthcare professionals to assess the size, shape, and location of the kidneys and detect potential issues, such as cysts, tumours, or obstructions.

Cancer screening & tumour markers

Early detection of cancer can help identify the disease before its symptoms appear. This is usually the best time for treatment, particularly for older adults, who are more likely to develop certain types of cancer. Common tests used to screen for cancer or tumours include:

• Faecal occult blood test (FOBT):

  • An FOBT test is a laboratory examination used to detect the presence of blood in a stool sample.

  • If blood is present, this could potentially indicate a problem with the digestive tract, such as colorectal or colon cancer.

• Tumour marker blood tests:

  • The tumour marker tests search for specific substances known as “tumour markers”, which may be elevated in the presence of cancer. Examples include the CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen) test and CA-125 tests.

Other screening tests

Depending on individual risk factors and health history, additional screenings may include:

• Bone mineral density (BMD) test:

  • This test measures bone strength and density to assess your risk of osteoporosis. It can detect bone loss at an early stage, enabling early intervention.

• Abbreviated mental test (AMT):

  • The AMT is a screening tool used to evaluate memory and cognitive function. It helps to identify whether an elderly person is at risk of cognitive decline or dementia.

Not sure which health screening is suitable for your parents or grandparents? Request an appointment with Thomson Medical and consult a healthcare provider who can advise on the most suitable screening options.

Health screening subsidies for the elderly in Singapore

In Singapore, subsidies such as SFL are available to make health screening more accessible and affordable for seniors. Through the SFL program, seniors can enjoy subsidised health screenings at participating Community Health Assistance Scheme (CHAS) general practitioners' (GP) clinics.

The subsidy covers the cost of the screening visit, all recommended tests performed during the visit, and the doctor's consultation fee. If needed, it also covers the cost of the first follow-up consultation.

The subsidised fees at CHAS GP clinics are as follows:

• For the Pioneer Generation (PG), the consultation is free of charge

• The Merdeka Generation (MG) needs to pay $2

• CHAS Blue/Orange patients also need to pay $2

• CHAS Green/other eligible Singapore citizens need to pay $5

These fixed fees apply to screenings for chronic conditions and certain cancers and include one post-screening consultation, if required.

Seniors can also access subsidised rates for breast cancer screenings (mammograms) at selected polyclinics under SFL. The fees are as follows:

• The Pioneer Generation only needs to pay $25

• The Merdeka Generation pays $37.50

• Other eligible Singapore citizens need to pay $50

FAQ

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This information is intended as general guidance only and should not be considered medical advice. To get personalised recommendations based on your medical conditions, request an appointment with Thomson Medical.