In Singapore an effort is being made to keep elderly people physically and mentally fit for as long as possible so that they can maintain their normal daily activities and living arrangements. In order to care for the growing proportion of older people both humanely and in a manner that society can afford, measures are being taken to encourage the revival of the extended family system whereby the elderly reside with their younger relatives. The placing of older people in institutions is being kept to a minimum, partly because they prefer to live with their children and partly because special homes are very expensive.