By 2030, one in four Singaporeans will be over 65 years old. While this demographic shift presents significant challenges, it also offers a golden lining: the opportunity to build a more compassionate and supportive society that values and cares for its seniors. That is why it is imperative to build up a robust community care sector that ensures seniors are well cared for and can age-in-place with a good quality of life. The Tote Board Community Health Fund supports the piloting of innovative programmes for the community care sector, such as the Reablement Programme and the “Both Sides, Now” arts-based community programme.
Dillagavathi Rengasamy Shunmugam: Enabling Reablement
Madam Dillagavathi’s world fell apart when her husband passed away in February 2022. The 72-year-old homemaker had been his sole caregiver as he battled various medical conditions.
Despite her husband's poor health, the couple was socially active and Madam Dilla could attend activities at TOUCHpoint@Yishun162, an active ageing centre. However, a fall in 2021 resulted in constant pain in her legs and an abrupt change in her routine. During this time, her husband’s health also took a turn for the worse and he became bedbound, which added difficulty to her caregiving responsibilities. Madam Dilla felt emotionally and physically drained.
“I felt depressed. I was not used to confronting my problems alone without my husband. As I had difficulties walking, I did not have the confidence to go out alone. I was also depending on people to run errands for me,” shared Madam Dilla.
After her husband passed away, a TOUCH reablement coordinator approached Madam Dilla to share about the Reablement Programme supported by the Tote Board Community Health Fund. The programme initiates a new care approach that empowers seniors to take charge of their health, and promotes independence and autonomy. Supported by care professionals, seniors receive personalised coaching to age well, and age-in-place.
“The team taught me how to overcome my fears and worked with me to set goals that matter to me,” said Madam Dilla. She began to rediscover her aspirations, which included being able to walk further to the neighbourhood shops, take part in social and recreational activities, as well as improve her nutrition to manage her chronic conditions. “I recalled how happy I was to be in the company of the seniors at the Centre. We did things together like drawing and painting. It was fun!”
Now, Madam Dilla is able to watch out for and assist other vulnerable seniors. She even volunteers her time to support the Centre’s needs, such as reminding seniors to attend activities. “I feel great!” she said. “Now that I am a volunteer, my life has more purpose.”
Mdm Dilla (left) regaining her confidence in running errands in the neighbourhood with help from physiotherapist, Ms Emmeline Gay.
Both Sides, Now: Art for “Die-logues”
Initiating end-of-life discussions is one of the toughest conversations to have. Yet, in rapidly ageing Singapore, these are necessary to enable better care for seniors. To promote awareness on end-of-life issues, we supported the “Both Sides, Now” multi-disciplinary arts-based community programme by Drama Box and ArtsWok Collaborative that sought to humanise and dispel the stigma around this difficult topic.
From 2021–2023, the programme was focused on connecting with Malay-Muslim community approaching topics such as loss, regrets, and death in ways that were more personal and culturally sensitive.
The project has helped families have more open and honest conversations about end-of-life matters. One volunteer invited her mother to watch the “Kata-Kata Kita” (Our Words) variety shows online and shared how it opened up opportunities to discuss the topic of loss and regrets: “She watched the shows and the segments acted as a stimulus for me to discuss this topic with her. Even though I was initially subtle, it later sparked more conversations. I feel closer to her, and am ready to be more direct when discussions of end-of-life matters come up.”
The highlight of Kata-Kata Kita (Our Words) was a panel discussion on sensitive end-of-life topics.
