AIA Group Limited

The AIA Live Better Study (Wave 10) reveals a significant gap between how Singaporeans prepare for caregiving and the realities of what it demands. While financial preparedness remains a key focus, many are less prepared for the emotional, social and practical realities of caregiving and recognise that they cannot navigate these challenges alone, highlighting the need for ecosystem support that extends beyond the family.

SINGAPORE, Nov. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Seven in 10 (72%) Singapore residents are connected to caregiving or care-receiving in some form, according to the recently released AIA Live Better Study (Wave 10)^[1]. As Singapore moves towards becoming a super-aged society, caring for elderly family members is expected to remain a significant responsibility, with 61% of current caregivers primarily caring for elderly family members today. Additionally, 57% of Singaporeans who expect to take on caregiving responsibilities in the future (future caregivers) anticipate they will also care for elderly loved ones.

However, despite caregiving being an eventual reality for most, only 20% of future caregivers feel well prepared for what lies ahead, while just 31% of current caregivers felt prepared when they first took on the role. Part of this preparedness gap may stem from a reactive approach to caregiving. Among future caregivers who feel underprepared, one in five (20%) believe caregiving should only be addressed when the need arises, rather than planned for in advance. Yet, as current caregivers' experiences suggest, once caregiving begins, finding the time and headspace to prepare can become even more challenging.

"Caregiving is deeply personal, and no two care journeys are the same. The unpredictability of each journey can make it difficult for even the most proactive Singaporeans to feel fully prepared for the emotional, social and financial demands of caregiving," said Irma Hadikusuma, Chief Marketing and Healthcare Officer, AIA Singapore.

The full cost of caregiving goes beyond finances

When asked about the challenges they anticipate, Singaporeans are more concerned about the emotional toll of caregiving than the financial one. Emotional strain ranks as the top challenge for both future caregivers (31%) and current caregivers (31%), ahead of direct financial strain (28% for future caregivers and 23% for current caregivers respectively).

• The disconnect on relationships and social life: While future caregivers anticipate day-to-day logistical hurdles, lesser recognise the impact of caregiving on social relations and how long-term care could quietly encroach on personal wellbeing, friendships, and family dynamics. The impact on relationships and social life does not feature among the top five concerns for future caregivers despite this being a lived challenge for one in five (21%) current caregivers.

• The hidden financial reality of caregiving: While emotional pressure weighs heaviest, financial preparedness remains a significant challenge. Among those expecting to take on caregiving responsibilities, 26% are unsure how much caregiving will cost, while 22% do not feel financially prepared to set aside resources. Many are also uncertain whether their existing insurance coverage will be sufficient, with 77% expressing uncertainty around caregiving costs and insurance adequacy.

Current caregivers are also more likely to rely on personal savings, financial support from family members and government assistance than future caregivers anticipate, suggesting that the financial demands of caregiving are often greater and more complex than expected.

Overall, being financially prepared for caregiving goes beyond having savings or insurance. It also means understanding the potential costs of care and knowing what sources of financial assistance and support are available to help meet these needs when they arise.

Caregiving is no longer just a family affair

In Asian societies, caregiving has traditionally been viewed as a family responsibility and an expression of filial piety. However, the AIA Live Better Study has found that Singaporeans are increasingly recognising that caring for a loved one may require support beyond the immediate family. This shift is reflected in both the care arrangements people are experiencing today and those they envision for the future.

Rather than relying primarily on their family, 81% of current care recipients and 71% of Singaporeans who expect to receive caregiving in future (future care recipients) prefer future care arrangements that draw on a broader care ecosystem. Having experienced care firsthand, or witnessed the demands it places on loved ones, care recipients may be more conscious of the financial, emotional, practical and time commitments involved — and the importance of sharing these responsibilities beyond the family.

Caregivers, too, are embracing a broader approach to care. Nearly one in two (46%) current caregivers have already moved beyond purely family-led care in practice. Additionally, more than half (56%) of future caregivers expect care arrangements to extend beyond the family, combining family support with external support such as domestic helpers, paid professional services, and care facilities.

Care recipients are also taking active steps to plan for their future needs. Around half are already looking into caregiving services and support options (49% of current care recipients; 51% of future care recipients), while many are thinking about or planning their future living arrangements (41% of current care recipients; 37% of future care recipients).

Together, these findings highlight a shift in how Singaporeans view caregiving. Family remains at the heart of care, but many recognise that effective caregiving often requires support beyond the immediate household.

As more Singaporeans navigate caregiving responsibilities, access to trusted guidance and support will become increasingly important. Having a reliable source of advice (37%) and a centralised platform for caregiving information and resources (25%) are among the most valued forms of support. This highlights the need for a more connected caregiving ecosystem that helps individuals and families access support with greater confidence.

The workplace: A critical, underutilised part of the caregiving equation

For many Singaporeans, managing caregiving responsibilities and professional life is already a reality. Yet while the workplace can play an important role in helping employees navigate caregiving, it remains an underutilised source of support.

While flexibility in work arrangements is the top workplace priority for both future (38%) and current caregivers (39%), respondents also highlighted the need for clear caregiving policies, caregiving leave and a supportive workplace culture.

Employers can play a critical role in helping employees navigate caregiving responsibilities by providing flexibility, practical support and an environment that recognises the realities of balancing work and caregiving.

A shared responsibility that calls for a shared support system

The AIA Live Better Study highlights that caregiving cannot be managed by individuals and families alone. As Singapore's population continues to age, supporting caregivers will require a holistic ecosystem that addresses the emotional, financial, social and professional dimensions of care.

"In a rapidly ageing society like Singapore, preparing holistically for caregiving is essential to helping people live Healthier, Longer, Better Lives. Meeting the realities of caregiving requires a wider, shared support system. Insurers play an important role beyond providing financial protection. By helping Singaporeans prepare earlier, understand potential care costs, and navigate available support options, we can help Singaporeans feel more informed and confident about the road ahead," added Irma.

About AIA   

AIA Group Limited and its subsidiaries (collectively "AIA" or the "Group") comprise the largest independent publicly listed pan-Asian life insurance group. It has a presence in 18 markets – wholly-owned branches and subsidiaries in the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong SAR^[2], Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, New Zealand, the Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan (China), Vietnam, Brunei and Macau SAR^[3], and a 49 per cent joint venture in India. In addition, AIA has a 24.99 per cent shareholding in China Post Life Insurance Co., Ltd.

The business that is now AIA was first established in Shanghai more than a century ago in 1919. It is a market leader in Asia (ex-Japan) based on life insurance premiums and holds leading positions across the majority of its markets. It had total assets of US$360 billion as of 30 June 2026.

AIA meets the long-term savings and protection needs of individuals by offering a range of products and services including life insurance, accident and health insurance and savings plans. The Group also provides employee benefits, credit life and pension services to corporate clients. Through an extensive network of agents, partners and employees across Asia, AIA serves the holders of more than 45 million individual policies and over 16 million participating members of group insurance schemes.

AIA Group Limited is listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited under the stock codes "1299" for HKD counter and "81299" for RMB counter with American Depositary Receipts (Level 1) traded on the over-the-counter market under the ticker symbol "AAGIY".

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/ready-to-care-4-in-5-singaporeans-feel-underprepared-for-the-realities-of-caregiving-302930075.html

SOURCE AIA Singapore

SINGAPORE, Aug. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- AIA Singapore today successfully concluded its inaugural AIA Healthcare Summit 2026, bringing together more than 700 policymakers, clinical specialists, technology innovators, and corporate leaders at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore. Centred on the landmark theme, "Purposeful Longevity: Advancing Holistic Health through Public-Private Partnerships," the AIA Healthcare Summit served as a national platform to address the societal, financial, and infrastructural challenges of Singapore's rapidly ageing population.

The event was graced by Guest of Honour Ms. Lai Wei Lin, Permanent Secretary (Policy and Development) at the Ministry of Health, who delivered an opening keynote speech.

As Singapore's population ages, longer lifespans, rising medical costs, increasing rates of chronic disease and longer periods of care are placing growing pressure on the sustainability of the healthcare system. Addressing these increasingly complex challenges will require a fundamental shift in how healthcare is financed, delivered, and experienced.

"As Singaporeans live longer, our collective focus must shift from merely adding years to life, to adding life to those years. Sustainable longevity requires a fundamental shift away from reactive healthcare. At AIA Singapore, we believe that bridging the ten-year gap between lifespan and healthspan is a challenge that cannot be solved by a single sector alone. It requires deep, integrated public-private partnerships that align healthcare financing, clinical geroscience, digital innovation, and behavioural science," said Ms Wong Sze Keed, Chief Executive Officer, AIA Singapore. 

"By championing preventive care and collaborating across ecosystems, we are committed to empowering Singaporeans to secure not just their financial futures, but their physical and mental vitality, enabling them to live Healthier, Longer, Better Lives," she added.

Building a sustainable healthcare ecosystem through collective action

Convening leaders from across the healthcare, insurance, and policy landscape, the AIA Healthcare Summit examined how public-private partnerships act as the primary line of defence against cost escalation. The most effective lever for stabilising long-term healthcare costs is to shift the entire system upstream away from reactive, treatment-driven care and towards prevention, early intervention, and continuous health management.

Discussions also highlighted that healthy longevity requires a whole-of-society approach. Healthcare, insurance, employers, government, communities, and individuals must work together to shape environments that enable Singaporeans to live longer, healthier and more purposeful lives.

From treating illness to preventing it: redefining healthcare around healthspan

While Singaporeans expect to live to an average age of 80.2 years, they expect their health to begin declining at 70.2 years^[1], living a full decade spent in poor health, a gap that is especially pronounced among younger demographics.

The recent AIA Longevity Study also found that more than half of Singaporeans (51%) now view longevity as a concern rather than an opportunity, reflecting growing uncertainty about what it means to age well.

Against this backdrop, the AIA Healthcare Summit explored how Singapore can shift from treating illness to enabling healthier longevity by advancing preventive healthcare, accelerating earlier intervention, harnessing digital innovation, and strengthening collaboration across the public and private sectors to close the ten-year gap between lifespan and healthspan.

Harnessing AI and technology to power healthier longevity

Leading voices across health technology, data science and digital innovation at the AIA Healthcare Summit explored how artificial intelligence, data analytics, precision medicine and connected health technologies are transforming healthcare from reactive episodic treatment to preventive, continuous, personalised care.

From AI-powered health services and predictive analytics to precision geromedicine and consumer wearables, experts highlighted how technology is enabling earlier identification of health risks, unlocking preventive healthcare, and empowering individuals with personalised insights to take greater control of their health. Panellists also emphasised that the greatest value of technology lies not simply in generating more data, but in translating insights into meaningful action that helps people lead healthier, longer lives.

Designing healthier behaviours for longer, better lives

Speakers emphasised that technology alone is not enough. While advances in medicine continue to improve healthcare, better health outcomes ultimately depend on helping people adopt healthier behaviours throughout their lives. Behavioural science emerged as a key enabler of healthier longevity, and the AIA Healthcare Summit explored how individuals can be supported to make healthier decisions every day, and how systems, incentives and environments can be designed to make healthy habits easier, more sustainable and more rewarding over the long term.

The workplace as one of the most important frontlines for healthy longevity

The AIA Longevity Study found that Singaporeans view longevity as more than simply living longer — they want to remain active, independent, and purposeful throughout later life, with a majority across all age groups expressing a desire to continue working for as long as they are able. As longer working lives become both an aspiration and an economic reality, maintaining good health throughout one's entire career is increasingly critical.

The AIA Healthcare Summit explored how the workplace has become one of the most influential settings for shaping long-term health outcomes. As individuals spend a significant portion of their lives at work, the workplace presents a unique opportunity to promote preventive health, encourage healthier behaviours and support long-term wellbeing beyond traditional employee benefits.

"Our workforce is one of Singapore's greatest assets, and protecting its health cannot begin only when illness occurs. As people live and work longer, employers have an increasingly important role in creating environments that support lifelong vitality. We must redefine workplace wellbeing—not as a good-to-have employee benefit, but as a strategic investment in a healthier workforce, stronger businesses and Singapore's long-term economic resilience and competitiveness. By embedding preventive health and wellbeing into the workplace, we can help more Singaporeans stay healthier, remain productive, and lead purposeful lives for longer," said Mr Kenneth Tan, Chief Corporate Solutions Officer of AIA Singapore.

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About AIA   

AIA Group Limited and its subsidiaries (collectively "AIA" or the "Group") comprise the largest independent publicly listed pan-Asian life insurance group. It has a presence in 18 markets – wholly-owned branches and subsidiaries in Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR^[2], Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, New Zealand, the Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan (China), Vietnam, Brunei and Macau SAR^[3], and a 49 per cent joint venture in India. In addition, AIA has a 24.99 per cent shareholding in China Post Life Insurance Co., Ltd.

The business that is now AIA was first established in Shanghai more than a century ago in 1919. It is a market leader in Asia (ex-Japan) based on life insurance premiums and holds leading positions across the majority of its markets. It had total assets of US$345 billion as of 31 December 2025.

AIA meets the long-term savings and protection needs of individuals by offering a range of products and services including life insurance, accident and health insurance and savings plans. The Group also provides employee benefits, credit life and pension services to corporate clients. Through an extensive network of agents, partners and employees across Asia, AIA serves the holders of more than 44 million individual policies and over 16 million participating members of group insurance schemes.

AIA Group Limited is listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited under the stock codes "1299" for HKD counter and "81299" for RMB counter with American Depositary Receipts (Level 1) traded on the over-the-counter market under the ticker symbol "AAGIY".

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/inaugural-aia-healthcare-summit-2026-unites-leaders-across-healthcare-government-and-business-to-extend-singapores-healthspan-and-advance-purposeful-longevity-302849903.html

SOURCE AIA Singapore