#active ageing programmes

Active Ageing Centres play a crucial role in promoting the well-being of Singapore's ageing population, contributing significantly to the concept of Active Ageing Singapore. These centres serve as hubs for seniors to engage in various activities that enhance their physical health, mental agility, and social connections.

The Role of Active Ageing Centres:

At these centres, seniors can participate in a diverse range of activities tailored to their interests and needs. From fitness classes to educational workshops and social events, these activities contribute to senior’s holistic well-being, keeping them physically active, mentally stimulated, and socially connected.

Key Features of Active Ageing Centres in Singapore:

Prominent active ageing centres in Singapore, such as the Council for Third Age (C3A) Seniors Activity Centre and Active Ageing Hubs by the People's Association, offer state-of-the-art facilities and a wide array of programs. These centres provide access to exercise equipment, multipurpose halls, computer labs, and relaxation areas. Customised programs cater to diverse interests, including language classes, arts and crafts workshops, and health screenings, reflecting the emphasis on Active ageing in Singapore.

Community Engagement and Outreach:

Active ageing centres actively engage with the community through partnerships with local organisations, volunteers, and healthcare professionals. These collaborations enhance support for seniors and facilitate outreach efforts to isolated individuals. Success stories and testimonials highlight the positive impact of these centres on seniors' lives.

Challenges and Future Directions:

Despite their importance, active ageing centres face challenges such as funding constraints and limited resources. To address these challenges, strategies such as government support, public-private partnerships, and innovative outreach programs are crucial. Continuous improvement and innovation are essential for enhancing the effectiveness and accessibility of active ageing services. Here are the leading 3 Active Ageing Centres in Singapore.

Mind Science Centre:

Since its inception in 2016, the Yeo Boon Khim Mind Science Centre has been a pivotal force in the realm of mental healthcare. Founded by a dedicated coalition of philanthropists and medical experts, the Centre embodies a unique fusion of Eastern philosophical insights and Western scientific rigour. This distinctive approach drives the Centre's mission to pioneer innovative strategies for promoting mental well-being within the local community.

Central to the Centre's vision is its commitment to active ageing—a holistic journey towards vitality and fulfilment that transcends age boundaries. Through a blend of research initiatives and community programs, the Centre seeks to empower individuals of all ages to enhance their emotional resilience and optimise cognitive performance. By embracing both traditional wisdom and cutting-edge scientific discoveries, the Centre aims to bridge generational divides and cultivate a culture of mental wellness that permeates every facet of society.

Beyond its immediate impact, the Mind Science Centre serves as a catalyst for broader societal change. Through its research efforts and advocacy work, the Centre sheds light on the intricacies of the human brain and advocates for comprehensive mental health care reform and teaches how to prevent dementia. By empowering communities with knowledge and resources, the Centre fosters a collective sense of resilience and compassion, laying the groundwork for a future where mental well-being is prioritised and safeguarded for all.

Available Active Ageing Activities:

The active ageing centre offers tailored physical exercise programs, designed to improve strength, flexibility, and balance among seniors, promoting overall well-being and vitality.

Seniors can engage in mindfulness sessions at the centre, fostering mental clarity and emotional balance while enhancing cognitive function and reducing stress, promoting a sense of peace and contentment.

Through art and music sessions, participants explore creative expression, stimulating memory recall, and promoting social connection, fostering a sense of fulfilment and nostalgia.

Seniors at the centre can delve into horticulture, nurturing plants and gardens, fostering a sense of purpose and accomplishment, while promoting physical activity and relaxation.

Joining the vibrant choral singing group allows seniors to experience the joy of harmonising with others, enhancing emotional well-being, and fostering a sense of community and belonging.

Informative sessions on various health topics empower individuals to make informed decisions about their well-being, promoting a proactive approach to health management among participants of the active ageing centre. 2. NTUC Health

NTUC Health, drawing on over four decades of experience and expertise, stands as one of Singapore's foremost providers of senior care services, including senior day care, nursing homes, and home personal care. Alongside these essential services, NTUC Health offers a comprehensive range of programs tailored to promote active ageing and holistic wellness among seniors.

At the heart of NTUC Health's commitment to active ageing is its array of fitness classes and senior gyms, providing seniors with opportunities to stay physically active and maintain their health. These offerings are complemented by community support initiatives aimed at assisting vulnerable seniors, ensuring they receive the care and assistance they need to thrive.

Moreover, NTUC Health goes beyond traditional healthcare services by operating a chain of dental clinics and a family medicine clinic, catering to the diverse needs of seniors and their families.

Embracing the philosophy that staying active is key to enjoying one's senior years to the fullest, NTUC Health's Active Ageing Centres serve as vibrant hubs of activity and engagement. Through strength training fitness programmes and engaging health talks, seniors are empowered to learn new skills, forge meaningful connections, and lead fulfilling lives. At NTUC Health's Active Ageing Centres, there's never a shortage of opportunities to explore, learn, and socialise.

Central to NTUC Health's Active Ageing Programmes is the CASHEW framework, which encourages seniors to lead connected, active, sharp, happy, enriched, and well-rounded lives. By participating in a diverse range of activities tailored to their interests and needs, seniors can enhance their overall wellness and cultivate a sense of fulfilment in their golden years.

In essence, NTUC Health's Active Ageing Centres exemplify the organisation's unwavering dedication to supporting seniors in living vibrant, fulfilling lives as they age gracefully. Through a holistic approach to care and wellness, NTUC Health empowers seniors to embrace their later years with vitality, purpose, and joy.

Available Active Ageing Activities:

Embrace joyful connections and become part of a lively community. They offer various activities like games and workshops that appeal to different interests, ensuring there's something for everyone.

Keep active and healthy with programs designed to keep you moving and feeling great! These programs focus on improving flexibility, strengthening muscles, and lowering the chances of age-related illnesses.

Keep your mind sharp with workshops and activities that exercise your brain and spark creativity!

Forge new friendships through enjoyable activities and start a journey toward a happier, healthier you!

Join in the fun with programs like baking and digital literacy workshops where you can learn and make friends!

Learn how to make healthier lifestyle choices with wellness programs that cover topics like healthy eating, personalised meal plans, and maintaining a balanced diet. 3. Precious Active Ageing Centre

The Precious Active Ageing Centre has experienced significant growth, now serving a substantially larger community. Formerly catering to around 200 seniors per centre, they now engage with an average of 1,000, with projections aiming for 4,000 or more as the population ages.

In alignment with the government's vision to support seniors ageing in place, the centre collaborates closely with the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) and the Ministry of Health (MOH). Anticipating the evolving needs of seniors, they are poised for increased collaboration with community partners to expand their range of programs and activities.

Serving as a vital nexus for seniors in the community, the Precious Active Ageing Centre offers a comprehensive array of activities tailored to their interests and requirements. Seniors actively participate in the planning of daily programs, ensuring offerings resonate with their preferences.

These centres serve as bustling hubs of activity, fostering physical fitness, mental stimulation, and social connections among seniors, allowing them to engage regularly with peers and neighbours.

Available Active Ageing Activities:

Energise your day with invigorating indoor and outdoor exercises tailored to your fitness level, promoting overall well-being.

Forge meaningful connections with fellow seniors through supportive interactions and shared experiences, fostering a sense of belonging and camaraderie.

Enjoy light-hearted conversations and laughter-filled moments with peers, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere of friendship.

Unleash your inner songbird and join in the fun of karaoke sessions, showcasing your vocal talents and enjoying musical entertainment.

Engage in hands-on activities led by seniors themselves, fostering creativity, skill-building, and a sense of accomplishment.

Stay informed and empowered with informative talks on wellness and health-related topics, promoting proactive self-care and prevention.

Expand your horizons and stimulate your mind with enriching classes, such as language learning, unlocking new skills and knowledge.

Embark on exciting local outings and excursions, exploring nearby attractions and creating memorable experiences with fellow seniors in the community.

Conclusion:

This article is written based on the presentation done by Prof Wang De Yun at the NUS Psychiatry Symposium on Ageing-in-Place held on 27 Apr 2023. Olfactory impairment, or more commonly referred to as sense of smell, is ageing related. The ability to detect and identify smell has also long been linked with cognitive decline in older adults. However, there remains questions on its association with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and by extension, dementia.

As part of the Yeo Boon Khim Mind Science Centre’s Community Health and Intergenerational (CHI) Study, Prof Wang De Yun from NUS Department of Otolaryngology, conducted a study to assess the olfactory function of community-dwelling older adults in Singapore and its link with their cognitive function. For this study, researchers at NUS developed a localised version of the nine-item smell test to better screen the population. 

Smell ability as a predictive tool for Cognitive Impairment

When it comes to modifiable risks of dementia, the focus is often on vision and hearing impairments rather than smell impairment. Nonetheless, there are studies indicating a potential link between smell identification ability and MCI.

A meta-analysis found that smell identification is impaired in those with MCI compared with healthy older adults. Longitudinal studies also showed that cognitively healthy individuals with smell impairments at baseline subsequently developed MCI in the follow-up.

The evidence suggests that smell identification has the potential to detect and predict the risks of developing dementia in later life.

To the best of our knowledge, there has yet to be any study examining smell function in Singapore’s healthy and/or cognitively impaired community-dwelling older adult population. Mind Science Centre’s study aimed to assess their smell identification ability and associate the outcomes with their cognitive status.

Culture specific smell test developed in NUS

The original nine-item smell test developed by the University of Pennsylvania (UPSIT) included items as liquorice, dill pickle, and skunk. These are not common in Singapore and participants often struggle to recognise and identify them.

To better screen and evaluate smell function in Singapore’s older adult population, our researchers recognised a need to create a localised version of the smell test that is culture-specific to our population. Researchers in NUS developed the Singapore version of the 9-items Smell Test Panel based on a local smell familiarity survey. This includes almond, banana, cinnamon, coconut, lemon, orange, pineapple, rose, and mushroom.

Beyond this study, other clinicians and researchers could also benefit from this locally developed smell test to better screen their patients or research participants.

Participants aged 60 years and above were recruited from a larger epidemiological study titled Community Health and Intergenerational (CHI) study. The smell test and neuropsychological testing are part of a 10-hour assessment done over five separate visits. More details on that can be found in the CHI study protocol.

Smell Tests For Cognitive Impairment

The locally developed nine-item smell test was used to assess smell detection and identification. The test was conducted in an interview format with each odour sample (in total 9) given only once. Between each odour, there was at least a 30-second time interval to prevent sensory fatigue.

For the smell detection task, participants were asked to respond yes or no based on their perception of the presence of an odour. Each successful detection was scored a point.

For the smell identification task, participants were asked to identify the same test odour before choosing through 4 narrated answer choices. If they thought none of the answer choices matched the test odour, they were allowed to describe the odour instead. Each successful identification was scored a point.

Cognitive Function Tests - Testing for Cognitive Impairment

Participants’ cognition was measured with the modified mini-mental state examination (MMSE) scale, clinical dementia rating (CDR) scale, and a validated battery of neurocognitive tests. The protocol is described in more details here.

Diagnosis of the participants’ cognitive status was made at consensus review meetings involving two psychiatrists and a neuropsychologist. Participants were categorised into normal active ageing, MCI, or dementia and further subtyped as amnestic or non-amnestic, and single or multiple domain.

NA (normal ageing)

naMCI_SD (non-amnestic mild cognitive impairment, single domain)

naMCI_MD (non-amnestic mild cognitive impairment, multiple domains)

aMCI_SD (amnestic mild cognitive impairment, single domain)

aMCI_MD (amnestic mild cognitive impairment, multiple domains)

In an era where the definition of ageing is being rewritten, embracing the concept of active ageing has become paramount for individuals seeking a vibrant and fulfilling life. The 'A, B, C's of Active Ageing' serves as your compass on this transformative journey. In this article, we navigate the intricate landscape of active ageing and the comprehensive programme designed to enhance the quality of life for seniors. From A for 'Adaptation' to B for 'Body and Mind Wellness,' and C for 'Community Engagement,' we delve into the essential components that define the active ageing experience. Read this article to find out the keys to unlocking a life rich in vitality and purpose through the lens of an active ageing programmes that empowers individuals to age gracefully and actively.

Staying healthy while actively ageing is a vital pursuit that can enhance your quality of life during your golden years. Incorporating a balanced approach to physical activity, nutrition, and mental well-being is key.

Engaging in regular exercise tailored to your abilities and interests, such as walking, swimming, or yoga, helps maintain strength and flexibility. A well-rounded diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins provides essential nutrients for your body. Prioritising mental health through activities like meditation or social interaction keeps your mind sharp and stress levels in check.

Regular health check-ups and consultations with healthcare professionals ensure that you're proactive about managing any health concerns. Embrace these practices, and you'll be well on your way to a healthier and more fulfilling active ageing journey.

Social Activities To Help You Stay Active And Healthy

Health comprises of three aspects, physical, mental, and social health. Below are a few things you can do to improve your overall health:

Community Events

Attending local fairs, festivals, or cultural events, which often feature activities and performances that encourage social engagement and physical movement.

Cooking Classes

 Learning to cook or bake in a group setting can be a fun way to bond with others over shared culinary interests and promote healthy eating.

Group Sports

Participating in group sports like golf, tennis, or pickleball can provide both physical activity and social connections.

Group Workshops

Participate in workshops or seminars on topics of interest, such as gardening, painting, or fitness, where you can learn and socialise simultaneously.

Senior Center Activities

 Many senior centres offer a wide range of activities, including card games, crafts, and fitness classes, providing a chance to socialise with peers.

Travel Clubs

Joining a travel club or group can provide opportunities to explore new places while making friends with similar interests.

Ageing Gracefully: Tips and Tactics for Seniors to Maintain Health

and Well-being

Aspect of Well-Being :  Tips and Tactics

Physical Activity

Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise, 5 days/week

Nutrition

Consume a balanced diet with 50% vegetables, 25% whole grains, 25% meat & other proteins. .  Learn more about this through our Age Well Everyday E-Learning!

Medication Management       

Review medications with a healthcare provider.

Quality Sleep

Ensure a regular sleep schedule.

Health Screenings

Schedule regular check-ups and screenings.

Home Safety

Install smoke detectors and emergency alert systems.

Why Should Elderly Get The Covid-19 Vaccination?

Seniors May Suffer a Higher Risk of Severe Illness: Older adults are at an increased risk of COVID-19 symptoms, which can lead to hospitalisation, could get admitted into the intensive care unit or even death. The COVID-19 Vaccination significantly reduces the risk of severe illness.

Community Protection: Getting vaccinated contributes to achieving herd immunity, which helps protect the entire community, including those who cannot receive the vaccine due to medical reasons or allergies. This reduces the overall transmission of the virus.

Effective and Safe: COVID-19 vaccines are authorised for emergency use and have undergone rigorous testing in clinical trials to ensure safety and efficacy. They have been shown to be highly effective at preventing illness, particularly severe cases.

Global Pandemic Control: By getting vaccinated, elderly individuals contribute to the global effort to control the pandemic, preventing further waves of infection and potential mutations of the virus.

Peace of Mind: Vaccination can offer peace of mind to elderly individuals and their families. It can alleviate concerns about the virus's potential impact on their health and well-being.

Strategies to Maintain a Good Health

Maintaining good health involves a combination of proactive choices and habits that foster physical, mental, and emotional well-being. One of the foremost strategies is a balanced diet that provides essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Incorporating plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains into your meals can support overall health.

Regular physical activity is equally crucial. Engaging in exercise, whether it's brisk walking, swimming, or yoga, helps maintain a healthy weight, improves cardiovascular fitness, and enhances muscle strength and flexibility. Our NUS Mind Science Centre organises active ageing programmes which motivates physical activity to survive.

Prioritising sleep and stress management is also vital. A consistent sleep schedule, quality rest, and stress-reduction techniques such as meditation or deep breathing exercises can boost immunity and emotional resilience.

Additionally, staying well-hydrated by drinking an adequate amount of water throughout the day is essential. It supports digestion, cognitive function, and overall bodily functions. Regular health check-ups with healthcare professionals are indispensable for early detection and prevention of illnesses. This includes screenings, vaccinations, and discussions about maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Mental well-being is equally vital.

Engaging in activities that stimulate the mind, like reading, puzzles, or learning new skills, can help maintain cognitive function. Moreover, cultivating a robust support network of friends and family, and seeking professional guidance when needed, promotes emotional well-being. By adopting these strategies, individuals can actively take charge of their health, leading to a higher quality of life and longevity.

Active Ageing in Singapore

"Active Ageing in the community, by the community, for the community."

Today, 1 in 10 seniors who are aged 60 and above in Singapore have dementia. With increased life expectancy and a rapidly ageing population, dementia cases are expected to triple by 2030. It is important to raise awareness of dementia and focus efforts on prevention.

The programme was designed to encourage people to engage in Active Ageing Singapore, no matter their age. As we live, we age. Healthy ageing is a lifestyle we can start cultivating from today. The community programme is rooted in research and designed to delay cognitive deterioration. Furthermore, it can help to instil a resilient mind and increase socialization amongst seniors. All in all, through the activities, we aim to delay the onset of dementia and improve the senior’s quality of life.

The ecology of resilience is exemplified in active ageing programmes, where we build a closely-knitted community with our respective community partners that engage participants, volunteers and trainers. With a self-supporting programme structure, a sustained run of AWE activities is ensured.

For seniors, retirees and caregivers, aged 40 & above, we welcome you to join us as a participant or Volunteer for the community active ageing programmes.

For those aged below 40, join us as a volunteer to make a difference in your community. Drop us an email at [email protected] if you require more information or further assistance.

The Starting Point – Community Active Ageing Programmes for Dementia Prevention

Professor Kua Ee Heok, Professor Goh Lee Gan and Associate Professor Rathi Mahendran sparked the idea of using research to guide a community programme that helps the seniors engage with active ageing in Singapore and possibly, even prevent dementia.

Prof Kua is the Tan Geok Yin Professor in Psychiatry and Neuroscience at the National University of Singapore.

After gathering a group of like-minded researchers and generous philanthropists, they embarked on the idea to translate the then-ongoing Jurong Ageing Study (JAS) to a rolling community programme, called the Dementia Prevention Programme (DPP). To put it simply, the research will investigate the positive impact of various activities on the elderly’s cognitive health. The findings will direct the community programme to roll out actual activities with the community partners.

The Research

Jurong Ageing Study is a 10-year comprehensive research initiated by Mind Science Centre. Its key research area involved investigating various cognitive stimulating activities for community-living seniors. Notably, some of the studies compared the cognitive improvements of elderly with mild cognitive impairment. Generally, it was found that early psychosocial intervention with seniors may help to delay the deterioration of cognitive capabilities and reduce the incidence of depression and anxiety. With an improved quality of life through active ageing Singapore, seniors can embrace their golden age with a resilient mind. Beyond that, the family and society benefit from reduced burden of disease.

REBRANDING OF DPP - AGE WELL EVERYDAY PROGRAMME

During the early run of the Dementia Prevention Programme, the managing committee noticed the slow uptake of the programme by the community. It was found that seniors are concerned with the label of ‘Dementia’ and the social stigma associated with it.

As such, the DPP underwent a rebranding exercise to be relaunched as Age Well Everyday (AWE) Programme, encompassing the essence of the meaningful initiative.

Be a Volunteer with us!

We want you if….

You are enthusiastic about active ageing and ready to share the knowledge with seniors, family and friends!

You can speak English and/or Mandarin.

You enjoy interacting with seniors.

You are able to commit to regular activity schedules as planned by the respective community partners.

As we expand to partner with more communities, more volunteers will be needed to keep the regular AWE activities ongoing for our growing number of senior participants. If you would like to become an AWE volunteer, please approach any of our community partners to find out more.

Beyond that, sign up for the AWE E-Learning Training Course to garner more knowledge about active ageing in Singapore before becoming an advocate of the programme.

Our Community Partners

Our Community Partners & Contact Information

Bukit Timah Community Club

[email protected]

Eunos Community Club

[email protected]–––

Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery

6849 5339

[email protected]

Marymount Community Club

6451 5955

Queenstown Community Centre

6474 1681

RSVP Singapore

[email protected]

Tampines-Changkat Community Club

[email protected]

*Please note that some of the community partners have moved their activities online due to the current pandemic situation.

Couldn’t find a centre near you? Keep a lookout for this space as we are currently in the works to collaborate with more centres and expand our programme outreach to benefit more people.

Join us as a Participant!

For seniors and retirees looking for interesting activities to participate in as a pastime, this active ageing programme will be perfect for you! Participate in workshops that will keep you informed about new ways to enhance your physical and mental well-being, as guided by research. Form your own community friend group and enjoy the various planned initiatives by the community partners.

The rapidly rising proportion of elder adults in our society poses significant challenges in healthcare, finance, housing and employment. Increased longevity has led to dementia being one of the most pressing medical and social issues of our time. Successful ageing is multi-dimensional and encompasses the avoidance of disease and disability, maintenance of high physical and cognitive functions, and sustained engagement in social and productive activities.

In response to that, one of Mind Science Centre’s research focus aims to generate interventions that can be translated to dementia prevention and active ageing programmes for seniors.

Jurong Ageing Study (JAS)

The Jurong Ageing Study (JAS) is a 10-year study involving over 1000 older adults aged 60 and above living around Jurong Point Mall. It aims to examine ways to prevent and alleviate symptoms of depression and dementia, an uprising problem due to the world’s greying population.

The study looks at how the elderly are influenced by genetic, biological, physical, social, and environmental factors. Researchers examine whether physical, social and educational programmes such as mindfulness practice, music reminiscence, art therapy, choral singing and gardening can improve cognitive, emotional and functional well-being in the elderly.

Community Health Intergenerational (CHI) Study

Our conversations with the seniors involved in JAS found that most prefer to age in their own homes as compared to geriatric centres. The increasing interest in Ageing-in-place led to the start of a new research project on community-dwelling seniors.

This study uses a multi-disciplinary approach to gather comprehensive biological, psychological, and social health profiles of older adults living in public housing estates. The study aims to:

•           Investigate the concept of ageing in place by examining the resiliency and vulnerability factors of the ageing process.

•           Examine intergenerational bonding and community support.

Singapore Elderly Resilience Scale (SOARS)

Principal Investigator (PI): A/Prof Ng Tze Pin

The SOARS study aims to better understand the concept and definition of resilience. Subsequently, the study aims to develop and validate a resilience scale for Singaporean older adults that are both universally valid and culturally sensitive.

To fully capture the various aspects of resilience in Singaporean elderly, there is a need to develop a resilience scale that reflects more domains relevant to the culture and context of Singapore. Above measuring resilience, this scale will also be a useful tool in investigating the relationships between resilience, health, cognitive and social functioning-related status.