Brief Remarks by Minister Chee Hong Tat for Chinese New Year Lunch Celebrations with Residents at Braddell View Condominium

Good afternoon and Happy Lunar New Year to everyone!

新年快乐! Wishing everyone 马到功成，龙马精神!

In Chinese culture, the horse is a symbol for vitality and energy. In this year of the horse, I would like to wish everyone good health, which is the foundation for happiness and success.

To help our seniors stay healthy and age-in-place safely, we introduced the Enhancement for Active Seniors Programme or EASE in short.

Through EASE, HDB homeowners are able to install senior-friendly fittings such as grab bars and slip-resistant flooring treatment to improve the mobility and safety of seniors within their homes.

Last year, we announced that we would extend EASE to seniors living in private residential properties. I am pleased to share that we are ready to roll out EASE (Private) progressively starting from 1 April 2026. We will start with seniors aged 80 and above, and those aged 60 to 64 who require assistance with at least one of the Activities of Daily Living (ADL), followed by seniors aged 70 and above and lastly, seniors aged 65 and above.

More than 80,000 households living in private properties will benefit from EASE (Private). Under EASE (Private), seniors will be able to install seven senior-friendly fittings at subsidised prices.

These include slip-resistant flooring treatment for toilets and bathrooms, shower seats, handrails, and grab bars, among others. These fittings can reduce the risk of falls and give our seniors and their families greater peace of mind.

Eligible households will receive $1,200 in EASE (Private) vouchers to offset 75% of the installation cost for senior-friendly fittings.

For example, if the total cost of installing grab bars and slip-resistant treatment comes up to $800, the Government will subsidise 75% of the total cost. You only need to pay $200. And you can keep the remaining $600 of vouchers which you can use for other items in future under the EASE programme.

My BCA colleagues are here today to answer any queries you may have about the application process and subsidies available.

You can also take a look at some samples of the fittings that you can install. Feel free to speak to them for more information.

为了支持我们的年长者活跃乐龄，保持身心健康和安全地 原地养老，我们推出了乐龄易计划。通过这项计划，政府组屋屋住可安装亲乐龄设备，例如，安全扶手和地面防滑处理，从而改善 居家环境，让年长者行动更安全，更安心。

去年，我们宣布了将扩展乐龄易计划，让居住在私人住宅区的年长者也能收益。我很高兴分享乐龄易计划（私人住宅）将从2026年4月1 日起，分阶段开放申请。80岁及以上的 年长者，或介于60至64岁并在一项日常活动 （ADL）中 需要协助的年长者，将可最先提交申请。接着开放让70岁 及以上的年长者申请，然后再到65岁及以上的年长者。

超过8万户居住在私人住宅的家庭将在乐龄易计划（私人住宅）or EASE （Private）下收益。在乐龄易计划（私人住宅）下，年长者可以通过享有政府津贴的价格，来安装七项亲乐龄设备。这些设备包括为卧室或浴室进行地面防滑处理，淋浴座椅，安全扶手，等等。这些亲乐龄设备有助于降低跌倒的风险，
让年长者和家人更加安心。

符合条件的每户家庭将获得1200元的乐龄易计划（私人住宅）礼券，来支付亲乐龄设备75%的费用。

比如，若安装安全扶手和地面防滑处理的总费用是800元，政府会提供75%的津贴。您只需付200 元。剩余的600 元，您可先保留，并在日后用于乐龄易计划下其他亲乐龄设备。

若您想更了解申请过程或可享的津贴，在场的建设局同事可以帮助您。我们也欢迎您参观现场的亲乐龄设备样本。