Seniors in Singapore rekindle memories with heritage items
Summary and headline written by AI from the source article. How we work
NTUC Health in Singapore is helping seniors with mild to moderate dementia access memories through a new eight-week heritage programme.
The programme uses objects from the 1950s to 1980s, like vinyl records and old tickets, along with a digital app to encourage seniors to share stories and connect with each other.
A pilot study conducted by the Geriatric Education and Research Institute (GERI) with 25 clients revealed that 72% of participants maintained positive moods and became more communicative during and after the programme. Researchers observed that simple pictures of past landmarks sparked songs and conversations about favourite movies. The programme also helps seniors remember family members and compare life then and now.
Currently running at five day care centres with ten trained facilitators, NTUC Health plans to expand the programme to all 27 of its centres over the next three years. The organisation will also incorporate heritage resources into other existing daycare activities. Slightly over half of the 2,400 seniors attending those centres currently live with dementia.
