For more information about Active Ageing, please visit AIC website at Active Ageing Centres and Active Ageing Care Hubs.

The Empowering Seniors Project (FY18 onwards) seeks to increase service user participation in the design and implementation of services for seniors to create more effective and sustainable services. With the insights from NCSS Quality of Life of Seniors study, seniors have the ability to make decisions in the delivery of services and contribute in various service settings. Hence, seniors should be seen as active participants and contributors instead of passive recipients of services.


Empowering Seniors Resource Kit (version 1.0)

Download a copy of the Empowering Seniors Resource Kit.

The resource kit is compiled for agencies that would like to implement empowering principles using the Ladder of User Participation. The Ladder helps agencies to concretise the abstract concept of empowerment into doable actions. Case studies of empowerment initiatives by workgroup members are included for inspiration.

Empowering Seniors Video
Explaining the why and how empowering principles are practised in the various initiatives and services through the case studies of few eldercare agencies.
View Empowering Seniors video.

Background
The Empowering Seniors Project (FY15-FY17) focused on development of evidence-based engagement framework to enhance purposeful engagements between practitioners/volunteers and seniors. The Project was a collaboration among 15 social service organisations² to drive senior empowerment in the sector. NCSS initiated the partnership of the social service organisations with 3 collaborators - National Arts Council, Ng Teng Fong General Hospital and National Heritage Board - to develop three toolkits:- Seniors Life Review through Arts, the Strong Again! Companion Guide and Conversation Starter Kit.  The toolkits aim to guide practitioners in their service delivery so that seniors can be empowered to discover their strength, create purpose for their lives and gain a strong sense of belonging to their community. The toolkits were launched at the Seniors Empowered! Conference on 3 November 2017. Here is a summary of the toolkits and their outcomes:

Senior Life Review through Arts
Encompasses group work activities and takes seniors through personal art journeys and meaningful conversations, to enable seniors to gain confidence to share their life stories, hopes and dreams.

Collaborator: National Arts Council

​Strong Again! Companion Guide
Encompasses structured home-based activities, targets frail and home-bound seniors, with the aim to help them gain strength and mobility, and aspire to re-integrate into their community.

​Collaborator: Ng Teng Fong General Hospital

These toolkits are designed for use by social service practitioners.

Conversation Starter Kit for Seniors
​Catered for staff or volunteers to engage with seniors purposefully, through meaningful conversations and recollections of their memories and past experiences.

Collaborator: National Heritage Board

Join us in this journey of senior empowerment!

Download a copy of the Conversation Starter Kit for Seniors - Places.

Download a copy of the Conversation Starter Kit for Seniors - Lifestyle.

NCSS is deeply grateful to the late Dr Robert CK Loh and his friends who have made this project possible through their generous donations.

SAGE Counselling Service

Provides counselling to older persons 50 years old and above, and/or their caregivers, as an avenue to help address their personal, social, or psychological challenges. 

The Seniors Helpline

A toll-free Helpline for any person aged 50 years and above to call in or anyone who wants to talk about or enquire on issues or services related to older persons.

You may call the Helpline at 1800 555 5555 (Monday to Friday 9am to 7pm. Saturday 9am to 1pm). 

Counselling for Older Persons Programme

Provides counselling and clinical case management to older persons 50 years old and above, and/or their caregivers, to improve their mental well-being and resilience to cope with life's challenges. 

Hua Mei Counselling and Coaching Programme

Provides counselling and coaching sessions to older persons 50 years old and above, and/or their caregivers, to help them cope with life's transitions and emotional distress.

Home Personal Care
Home Personal Care supports the frail and home-bound Persons Needing Care through personal hygiene care, housekeeping, laundry, mind-stimulating activities, monitoring of medication compliance, and assistance with other personal care services.

Meals and Escort
Provides meals delivery and medical escort services to seniors who are living in the community.

Sheltered Homes
Residential facilities catering to the needs of ambulant seniors, who do not have family support or are unable to live with family members for certain reasons.

These Homes are located within HDB neighbourhoods and seniors are supported to maintain their independent living skills within the Home and the community.  Social-recreational activities are organised for the seniors.

Family members and caregivers of persons with dementia are often concerned about their safety and well-being. With effect from 15 April 2021, caregivers of persons with dementia can sign up for CARA Membership to access an ecosystem of personalised dementia support and benefits, including Safe Return. NCSS will be ceasing the Safe Return Card (SRC) with the launch of CARA to avoid duplication.

CARA is an initiative by Dementia Singapore (formerly known as Alzheimer's Disease Association).

Visit www.cara.sg for more information.