"Active aging" in Singapore

SGGP August 26, 2023 07:06

Population aging is a matter of particular concern for Singaporean authorities. The island nation has been promoting solutions to prepare for a super-aging society in the coming years, including plans to improve the quality of services for the elderly.

Elderly people perform at a nursing home in Singapore.

By 2030, it is estimated that one in four Singaporeans will be 65 years old or older. This is due to Singaporeans' increasing life expectancy, low marriage rates, and fewer births. A solution chosen by some older people is to move to nursing homes to enjoy their old age. According to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, the government will expand the network of nursing homes. The services provided at these centers and their accessibility will also be enhanced.

Responding to the Singapore government 's call for improved services, nursing homes have expanded their "active aging" initiatives, offering diverse wellness programs for the elderly. Prior to May 2021, nursing homes primarily served residents in rented apartments, with each center managing 3 to 4 apartment blocks. Now, however, each center serves 35-40 apartment blocks. Previously, approximately 3 staff members served 300 elderly residents; now, the same number of staff serves around 4,000.

Lions Befrienders Centres anticipate serving 26,000 seniors by 2030, more than double the 11,000 enrolled across its 10 current centers. According to Karen Wee, CEO of Lions Befrienders Centres, the center is considering recruiting volunteers to assist senior care staff in line with the expansion.

Technology is also being gradually applied by these centers in their daily healthcare activities. Besides group activities such as physical exercise and Qigong, they also offer acting, singing, filmmaking courses, and music therapy classes. Listening to familiar songs and participating in art classes helps the elderly improve their health, especially their memory, and gives them the opportunity to pursue their youthful passions.

In addition to plans to improve services at nursing homes, the Singaporean government is also promoting a digital transformation program for the elderly called “Seniors Go Digital.” Under this program, seniors can participate in classes to learn essential initial skills, including familiarizing themselves with smartphone interfaces or understanding how applications work.

In Singapore's digital community centers established in each residential area, and in senior citizen community centers, social workers are available to provide one-on-one guidance to each senior citizen. Beyond basic skills, the digital education curriculum is being enhanced to be more comprehensive and relevant to daily life. New topics such as health, cybersecurity, and lifestyle are being added to the instruction program.

The instructors equip seniors with knowledge on using health-related apps, allowing them to access medical records and schedule appointments at clinics. They can also learn how to use e-commerce platforms and identify fraudulent sellers.

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