Health By the Decade: Invest in health in your 30s

Just like your 20s, your 30s is an important phase of life where, once again, you undergo major transformation - At work, you may be making progress in your career and taking on new responsibilities. At home, you take up new roles as you grow your own family.

However, while you are busy navigating life, it is important to remember that your body is changing as well. According to WebMD, your metabolism slows down at 30, which makes you more susceptible to metabolic illnesses if you do not take care of your health.

Treat your health like a savings account; the earlier you invest in it, the better the returns. One of the ways you can invest in your health is by going for health screenings.

There are some recommended screenings you should consider during this time, including screening for chronic diseases. Although chronic disease screenings are normally recommended for people in their 50s and above, we see a trend of metabolic illnesses starting much younger in Singaporeans due to changing lifestyles, which increases the risk of developing chronic diseases.

A few recommended health screenings to go for are:

1. Diabetes Mellitus

2. Obesity

3. High Blood Cholesterol

In addition, some relevant cancer screenings that should be done are:

1. Colorectal cancer - usually recommended for ages 50 and above, but should be done earlier for those with risk factors

2. Cervical cancer screening for women HPV - for sexually active females 25 years old and above

Intemedical offers comprehensive health screening packages that include screenings for the above as well as tests for important vitamins and minerals that affect bone, muscle, nerve health and the immune system. This includes:

• Vitamin B12 or Iron (Ferritin) - low levels of either nutrient can contribute to a common condition known as anaemia (low red cells counts)

• Vitamin D - vitamin D deficiency can affect your immune system

You can consider the following screening packages:

• Fundamental

• Enhanced

Make your health screening appointment with us via the following channels:

Online appointment Portal: Kovan Clinic / Potong Pasir Clinic / Teck Ghee / Tampines

WhatsApp: 8879 9404

Landline: Potong Pasir - 6242 6384 / Kovan - 6243 3036 / Teck Ghee - 6904 9579 / Tampines - 6223 3803

(Available during clinic opening hours, 8 am to 12 am)

Sources:

https://www.healthhub.sg/programmes/61/Screen_for_Life/sfl-resources#home

https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/how-much-does-your-metabolism-slow-down-as-you-age#1

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/slight-increase-in-diabetes-prevalence-despite-5-year-war-against-disease

Intemedical 4 branches - Open all days for CNY 2023

Happy Chinese New Year to everyone!

We will be open for all 4 days of the lunar celebrations including CNY eve.

Stay safe and healthy!

Our opening times for all our 4 branches are as follows:

Intemedical Kovan PHPC/CHAS clinic, Acute/chronic care, Pre-departure swabs for travel available

CNY Eve (21 Jan 2023): 8am - 12 midnight

CNY D1 (22 Jan 2023): 8am - 12 midnight

CNY D2 (23 Jan 2023): 8am - 12 midnight

CNY D3 (24 Jan 2023): 8am - 12 midnight

Intemedical Potong Pasir PHPC/CHAS clinic, Acute/chronic care, Pre-departure swabs for travel available

CNY Eve (21 Jan 2023): 8am - 12 midnight

CNY D1 (22 Jan 2023): 8am - 12 midnight

CNY D2 (23 Jan 2023): 8am - 12 midnight

CNY D3 (24 Jan 2023): 8am - 12 midnight

Intemedical Teck Ghee Acute/chronic care, Pre-departure swabs for travel available

CNY Eve (21 Jan 2023): 8am - 12 midnight

CNY D1 (22 Jan 2023): 8am - 8pm

CNY D2 (23 Jan 2023): 8am - 12 midnight

CNY D3 (24 Jan 2023): 8am - 12 midnight

Intemedical Tampines Acute/chronic care, Pre-departure swabs for travel available

CNY Eve (21 Jan 2023): 8am - 12 midnight

CNY D1 (22 Jan 2023): 8am - 12 midnight

CNY D2 (23 Jan 2023): 8am - 12 midnight

CNY D3 (24 Jan 2023): 8am - 12 midnight

Please note that CNY surcharges apply. Your patience at our clinics are much appreciated as we anticipate longer wait times due to less manpower.

Lasting Power of Attorney Now Online: Plan Your Future With A Few Clicks

Many of us plan for the future by investing, buying insurance and saving up to become independent and avoid burdening loved ones to take care of us.

However, it is not guaranteed that we can remain independent like this forever. Accidents and illnesses do happen and we may lose the mental capacity to make decisions for ourselves.

Fortunately, residents in Singapore are able to submit a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) legal document to plan ahead for such situations. What’s more, the process is now made easier as LPA submissions can be done online with a few clicks!

What is an LPA and how has the submission process changed?

For the uninitiated, an LPA is a legal document that allows an appointed person who is at least 21 years of age (called the “donee”) to make medical and financial decisions on another person's behalf (the “donor”) should they lose mental capacity.

As of 14 November 2022, all applications will be made online via the new Office of the Public Guardian Online portal (OPGO). The online process is much more convenient compared to the previous where:

• MyInfo from Singpass will be used to pre-fill the LPA form online instead of manually filling in information on a printed form

• Forms are digitally signed via Singpass for donor and donee(s), there is no need to meet each donee to sign a hardcopy form physically

• The processing and registration time for LPAs is halved from three weeks to one-and-a-half weeks, excluding the mandatory three-week waiting period

• Donors and donees, including those who registered their LPAs before the launch, will be able to view their LPAs in the online portal

What is the difference between LPA form 1 and LPA form 2?

There are 2 forms with different options available when applying for an LPA:

• LPA Form 1: For Donors who wish to grant Donee(s) general powers with basic restrictions.

• LPA Form 2: For Donors who wish to grant Donee(s) customised powers. The clauses in the LPA Form 2 have to be drafted by a lawyer*.

If you are unsure which to apply for, 98% of Singapore Citizens who have made an LPA used the LPA Form 1.

*This refers to a Singapore solicitor qualified to practise Singapore law in a Singapore law practice.​​​​

What happens if I don’t have an LPA?

Some of us may think that a family member can easily make decisions on our behalf when we lose mental capacity, and there is no need to go through the hassle of applying for an LPA.

But here’s what happens when you don’t have an LPA.

Because your loved ones have not been legally appointed to care for you beforehand, they may face difficulties trying to:

• Make care arrangements

• Manage your bank accounts and properties

• Decide how best to use your funds for your day-to-day needs

They have to apply to Court to be appointed as your deputy before they are authorised to make decisions and act on your behalf.

This application process will take a longer time to complete and cost more. It also adds unnecessary stress to your loved ones.

On a side note, Singapore citizens should apply for an LPA now as the application fee of $75 for LPA form 1 has been waived until 31 March 2023. Fees for LPA applications are summarised in the table below.

Source: https://www.msf.gov.sg/opg/Pages/The-LPA-The-Lasting-Power-of-Attorney.aspx

How do I apply online?

Step 1: Complete LPA online form via OPGO

• Access the OPGO application page here

• Login via Singpass to verify personal details

• Fill in Donee(s) details and powers to be granted to Donee(s)

Step 2: Donne(s) to accept appointment

• Access OPGO here and click on “Accept Donee’s Appointment”

• Login via Singpass to verify personal details

• Accept appointment as a Donee in LPA

Step 3: Visit Intemedical clinic to certify and witness Donor’s signing of LPA

This step is critical to ensure that the donor does not make an LPA under pressure or duress and has the mental capacity to do so. Intemedical offers Certificate Issuance services with accredited doctors in all clinics at a fee of SGD$50 before GST (not inclusive of the office of public guardian fees). For more information and booking appointments, contact us via:

Kovan Clinic

Address: 210 Hougang Street 21, #01-233, Singapore 530210

Landline: 6243 3036

Whatsapp (message only): 8879 9404

Potong Pasir Clinic

Address: 51 Upper Serangoon Rd, #01-29 The Poiz Centre, Singapore 347697

Landline: 6242 6384

WhatsApp (message only): 8022 3129

Teck Ghee Clinic

Address: 338 Ang Mo Kio Ave 1 #01-1625 Singapore 560338

Landline: 6904 9579

WhatsApp (message only): 8061 6220

Tampines Clinic

Address: 201E Tampines Street 23 #01-96 Singapore 527201

Landline: 6223 3803

WhatsApp (message only): 8065 0191

Visit the Office of the Public Guardian website for more detailed information on the LPA, guidebooks and instructions on applying.

Source: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/lasting-power-attorney-online-portal-nov-14-singpass-digital-msf-3009421

https://www.msf.gov.sg/opg/Pages/The-LPA-How-Can-I-Make-a-Lasting-Power-of-Attorney.aspx