Singapore's senior alert system faces reliability concerns

SINGAPORE – The Alert Alarm System (AAS) for seniors, currently serving 10,000 residents, will expand to 26,800 more by 2030. The system connects seniors to a 24/7 hotline for emergencies but has faced concerns about response times. Residents at Block 338B Kang Ching Road expressed anxiety over the system's reliability. Some reported slow responses, with help sometimes taking hours. Recent incidents, including the discovery of deceased neighbors, heightened worries about the effectiveness of the AAS. Improvements are planned, including additional emergency buttons in homes. Residents suggested connecting the system to phones for quicker verification of emergencies. Meanwhile, many seniors rely on neighbors for assistance when the alarm is triggered.