Decoding Women's Bone and Joint Health

Introducing GREAT Health Decoded, a video series dedicated to unravelling the complexities of health issues with the guidance of medical professionals. Let our experts decode your health concerns, so you can make informed decisions and take proactive steps to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

In this video, let Dr Timothy Teo, Head of Orthopaedic Surgery from Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, delve into the common joint and bone problems that women face, the early onset of these issues, and the risk factors involved. This episode also highlights the disabilities that can arise from degenerative diseases and explores preventative measures and treatments to mitigate these risks.

Watch this valuable episode filled with insights as you join us on this journey towards better health and well-being.

What should you be mindful of?

Bone and joint issues are prevalent among women, with osteoarthritis particularly affecting them more than men. Approximately 1 in 5 women over the age of 60 experience osteoarthritis of the knee. Additionally, injuries to soft tissues such as tendons, ligaments, and the meniscus are common among women, often due to increased participation in sports. These can result from single incidents or repetitive stress injuries. Another frequent issue is osteoporosis, which often remains undetected until a fracture happens.

Women typically start facing bone and joint problems in their 50s and 60s, often linked to menopause. The sudden drop in estrogen during menopause weakens cartilage, ligaments, and tendons, making them more prone to injuries.

Common symptoms include joint pain and stiffness, which can hinder activities such as sports. This condition often leads to a decrease in functionality, affecting Activities of Daily Living (ADLs¹) like climbing stairs, bending to use the toilet, or even bending the knee to put on socks.

Source: Dr Timothy Teo, Head of Orthopaedic Surgery from Khoo Teck Puat Hospital

How to plan ahead for unexpected disability

With GREAT CareShield, you will receive monthly payouts² when you are unable to perform just 1 out of the 6 ADLs¹. Additionally, you will receive a lump sum payout³ of up to S$15,0000 that can be payable again upon future occurrence of disability from a different and unrelated cause.

Upon the inability to perform at least 2 ADLs¹, GREAT CareShield provides an additional 60% of the Monthly Benefit in monthly payouts for caregiving support⁴ and an additional 30% of the Monthly Benefit in monthly payouts to provide for your child⁵.

Get a quote within minutes and save up to 40% on your first-year premium^* when you sign up by 31 December 2024. After the first year, you will continue to enjoy 20% off your premiums every year throughout your coverage.

On top of that, GREAT CareShield can be paid using cash or your MediSave funds⁶. Whilst you are still young, start your disability coverage with lower premium rates⁷ that will not increase with age.

Footnotes

¹ The 6 Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) are: washing, toileting, dressing, feeding, walking or moving around and transferring.

² Subject to Deferment Period. Payouts of Monthly Benefit are payable for as long as the Life Assured suffers from the applicable number of disabilities, up to a lifetime. 50% of Monthly Benefit payable upon inability to perform only 1 ADL. 100% of Monthly Benefit payable upon inability to perform at least 2 ADLs.

³ Subject to Deferment Period. The Initial Benefit is a lump sum payment equivalent to 3 times of the Monthly Benefit. In the event the Life Assured fully recovers from the disability, the Initial Benefit may be paid again for subsequent episodes of inability to perform at least 1 ADL. However, it is not payable if such subsequent disabilities arise from or are related to the cause of disability(ies) for which there was a previous claim for Initial Benefit.

⁴ The Caregiver Benefit is subject to Deferment Period and payable for up to a maximum of 12 months (whether consecutive or not) per Policy Term.

⁵ The Dependant Care Benefit is applicable if the Life Assured has a Child who is below 22 years old (age last birthday) as at the Claim Date; subject to Deferment Period and payable for up to a maximum of 48 months (whether consecutive or not) per Policy Term.

⁶ Subject to cap of S$600 per calendar year per insured person.

⁷ Premium rates are not guaranteed and they may be adjusted from time to time based on future experience.

^* The promotion is available till 31 December 2024 and it offers a 40% first-year premium discount with a minimum qualifying premium of S$1,000, excluding premium loadings (if any) and the prevailing rate of GST. Please refer to the full terms and conditions of the Consumer Promotion for information.

Disclaimer

Terms and conditions apply.

This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

The information presented is for general information only and does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any particular person.

GREAT CareShield can be purchased by CareShield Life or ElderShield policyholders. All Supplements are regulated under the CareShield Life and Long-Term Care Act 2019.

This is only product information provided by us. You may wish to seek advice from a qualified adviser before buying the product. If you choose not to seek advice from a qualified adviser, you should consider whether the product is suitable for you. Buying health insurance products that are not suitable for you may impact your ability to finance your future healthcare needs. If you decide that the policy is not suitable after purchasing the policy, you may terminate the policy in accordance with the free-look provision, if any, and the insurer may recover from you any expense incurred by the insurer in underwriting the policy.

This policy is protected under the Policy Owners’ Protection Scheme which is administered by the Singapore Deposit Insurance Corporation (SDIC). Coverage for your policy is automatic and no further action is required from you. For more information on the types of benefits that are covered under the scheme as well as the limits of coverage, where applicable, please contact us or visit the Life Insurance Association (LIA) or SDIC websites (www.lia.org.sg or www.sdic.org.sg).

Information correct as at 13 November 2024.