Joining an active ageing centre can be a great way for seniors to stay engaged and socially connected.

Resident Mr Ronald Tay, 72, who recently retired from his job as a renovation contractor, has been going to Thye Hua Kwan (THK) Active Ageing Centre (AAC) at Blk 257 Ang Mo Kio Ave 4 for the past four years. He enjoys the weekly karaoke, live band and organ performances. 

"I love music and have made many new friends here. At home, it’s just me and my wife. But here at the centre, I can talk to lots of different people. I have become more cheerful," he said.

Residents Mr Ronald Tay (left) and Mdm Hyma Vathi (right) enjoy the activities at THK AAC.

Thye Hua Kwan Moral Charities (THKMC) currently has three AACs in Ang Mo Kio. Besides at Blk 257, the other two centres are located at Blk 208 Ang Mo Kio Ave 1 and Blk 645 Ang Mo Kio Ave 6. 

Mr Darren Li, Centre Manager of THK AAC @ AMK 645, said they offer interesting and wheelchair-friendly exercises, such as chair zumba, to help seniors maintain their physical health. 

Resident Mdm Hyma Vathi, 77, said: “I enjoy chair zumba. My health has improved significantly since I joined the exercise sessions.” She experienced a challenging time after a fall two years ago, which resulted in a hip fracture. Fearing another fall, she didn't leave her home for three months. Fortunately, the Pioneer Generation Ambassadors visited her and encouraged her to join the AAC. Through regular exercise, she has built up her muscles and is now able to walk around independently.

Promoting preventive health

THKMC also offers cognitive activities such as playing bingo and teaching seniors how to press dried flowers into bookmarks. Ms Jean Nee, Centre Manager of THK AAC @ AMK 257, said: "These bookmarks are then sold at Marina Bay Sands. Activities like this help seniors to stay active and connected to the community.”

Playing bingo provides mental stimulation and encourages social interaction.

To make its programmes more engaging and attractive, THK takes seniors on outings to places of interest such as the Botanic Gardens, Haw Par Villa and the NEWater Visitor Centre.

She noted that one of the biggest challenges seniors face in staying active and healthy is that some only come to the AAC when their health is already deteriorating. "It would be good for seniors to come to our centres when they are still healthy," she said. To raise awareness of preventive health, THKMC regularly conducts health talks and workshops, offering valuable information on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

THKMC also works with Dementia Singapore to provide early intervention for seniors with mild dementia. Darren said: "Every Saturday, we engage them in two-hour cognitive activities, where we show them old street photos. The seniors love these photos and some can recall them, which leads to warm conversations with our volunteers."  

To overcome the challenge of seniors who are reluctant to step out of their homes and mingle with the community, THKMC social workers will regularly visit and engage with them. They also encourage current members of the centres to spread the word about the benefits of joining active ageing centres. "We give goodie bags to new members who visit us and see what activities we offer," he added.

He shared the story of a lady with dementia who was very reserved when she first joined the centre. "Through our regular engagement sessions, she became more responsive and made friends with us and other seniors," he said.

Ms Jean Nee and Mr Darren Li, Central Manager of THK AAC @ AMK 257 and AMK 645 respectively, encourage seniors to join the active ageing centre to stay physically, mentally and socially healthy.

Contributing to the community

To help develop a sense of purpose, THKMC provides a platform for seniors to volunteer at the centres, known as micro-jobbers, where they receive a small remuneration for tasks such as distributing food rations and delivering meals to homes. 

Jean said: "The micro-jobbers find it meaningful to be able to help other fellow seniors. Some have told us that the remuneration helps them pay for their daily meals. They can also use the remuneration to top up their EZ-link cards, allowing them to travel while giving back to the community." 

Looking ahead, she shared that her centre will soon launch new programmes such as tai chi classes and scam awareness talks to empower seniors. Darren added that his centre will conduct functional screenings to assess seniors' mobility, and partner with students from ITE College Central in Ang Mo Kio to engage with seniors.

[Chinese]

太和观乐龄活跃中心提供各种活动和服务，鼓励年长居民走出家门，保持身心和社交健康。这包括参观本地景点、亲轮椅使用者的运动和义工活动。

[Malay]

Pusat Penuaan Aktif Thye Hua Kwan menawarkan pelbagai program untuk memperkayakan kehidupan warga emas, seperti bersiar-siar, senaman mesra kerusi roda, aktiviti kognitif dan menjadi sukarelawan.

[Tamil]

தாய் ஹுவா குவான் துடிப்பான முதுமைக்கால நிலையங்கள் மூத்தோரின் வாழ்க்கையைச் செறிவாக்கும் பற்பல திட்டங்களை வழங்குகின்றன. சுற்றுலாக்கள், சக்கர நாற்காலியில் இருப்போருக்கான உடற்பயிற்சி நடவடிக்கைகள், புலனுணர்வு நடவடிக்கைகள், தொண்டூழியப்பணி போன்றவை அவற்றுள் சில.