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Professor Yow Wei Quin’s commentary on how singing can help improve mental well-being, boost cognitive function, and promote social connections among the elderly.

Singapore Health Services Group collaborates with the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) and the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) to develop a white paper on population health to help seniors improve their quality of life and maintain physical and mental health.

A while ago, I met an elderly lady on a plane — a vibrant and energetic grandmother. The flight attendant gently held her hand and slowly guided her to the empty seat next to me, kindly reassuring her that once we landed, staff would assist her in disembarking, collecting her luggage, and helping her through customs. I noticed she was traveling alone, so I struck up a conversation with her. She told me that she was nearly 90 years old but still often flew alone for 3.5 hours to visit her children who lived abroad. I was deeply impressed by her independence and strong will.

The Mid-Autumn Festival, a traditional Chinese holiday, symbolises reunion and embodies hopes for family togetherness, harmony, and happiness. Many believe that older adults are more susceptible to sadness during this time, as celebratory activities can evoke memories of lost loved ones and intensify feelings of loneliness. Even when surrounded by family, seniors may feel isolated due to the remembrance of deceased friends and relatives. With retirement or transitions to more dependent living situations, their social circles often shrink, further increasing feelings of loneliness.

My friends are more than a decade from being “aged”. While they may be more comfortable scanning QR codes to find menus or place orders, many seniors like my parents prefer the “human touch” to navigating apps. They are also the ones who would rather tolerate the long queues in banks than managing their funds on the phone.

The National Day celebrations concluded last week, and as the entire nation rejoices, we should not only take pride in our country’s achievements but also express our gratitude to the seniors who have contributed to the nation’s development. They are the pillars of our society and the foundation of Singapore’s prosperity and stability. On this special day, let us consider how we can better care for their physical and mental well-being, ensuring they remain active in society.

Mr Wang, 55, is a senior network engineer at Singtel. He found that fixing network issues was both difficult and time-consuming. Drawing on his years of experience, he guided young engineers to create an automated alert system that uses AI to detect and resolve problems before they escalate. This system has made the network more reliable and reduced downtime. Mr Wang’s innovation not only enhanced network performance but also demonstrated how senior employees can leverage their accumulated knowledge to create significant value and help train the next generation.

Professor Yow Wei Quin, Head of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) at SUTD says: “Overscheduling can occur when a child’s holiday is filled with too many structured activities, leaving little to no time for rest, play or unstructured time. This can lead to stress, burnout and a lack of opportunities for creativity and self-directed learning.”

Professor Yow Wei Quin, Head of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (SINGAPORE – The mid-year school holidays are almost over, but some students in Singapore have been focusing more on academics than relaxation during their month-long break.

Tuition centres report a spike in demand for their academic “boot camps” for June for primary and secondary school students. And observers say that spending a significant portion of the holiday period, which ends on June 23, on studies is commonplace in Singapore, which risks fatigue and burnout for kids.

However, some children and parents report satisfaction with the youngster’s goals, motivation and packed holiday schedule.

HASS) at SUTD says: “Overscheduling can occur when a child’s holiday is filled with too many structured activities, leaving little to no time for rest, play or unstructured time. This can lead to stress, burnout and a lack of opportunities for creativity and self-directed learning.”

Imagine how wonderful it would be if every senior was filled with the energy and curiosity of young people! In Singapore, we are creating a reality where seniors not only live longer, but also live more fulfilling and meaningful lives. Through psychological research and carefully designed activities, we are helping seniors maintain their zest for life.