21 Activities to Engage the Elderly in Singapore
- 24 January 2022
This article is republished as part of a content partnership between Talk Your Heart Out (SG) and Homage (SG).
“Aging is not lost youth but a new stage of opportunity and strength.” – Betty Freidan
As we get older, our interests and pursuits may change. Our social circle also tends to become smaller. Maintaining an active lifestyle helps us combat loneliness and social isolation – the 2 factors which can negatively impact our physical and mental health. This is especially important as the number of suicides among Singaporeans aged 60 and above has been on the rise and hit and all time high in 2021.
If you are looking for ideas to engage the elderly in your family or community, or yourself, look no further! Here is a list of fun activities across 6 different categories you can start checking off: Arts and Crafts, Culture, Nature, Music, Fitness, and Cause-related activities.
Together with your loved ones, participate in these activities that you can do both in- and out-of-home to boost your health and happiness.
Recreational Activities
Arts and Crafts
It is common knowledge that art benefits both the creator and the viewer. In fact, studies have shown that Singaporean seniors who are engaged with the arts tend to enjoy a better quality of life and experience a greater sense of holistic wellbeing. Suitable for the young and old, getting creative together is great for intergenerational bonding too! Here’s how you can engage the elderly with the Arts:
Get creative at home
Start an upcycling project
Get creative while saving the earth. Instead of disposing of plastic bottles and used jars, turn them into useful pieces in your home garden or festive decorations! Get inspired by organisations such as Terra SG.
Sign up for an art workshop
Get hands-on with art. There are several different types of art workshops for seniors that you can choose from. Organisations such as Solace and Artisan Han’s also offer various art therapy programmes. Solace Art Psychotherapy, in particular, consists of registered art therapists who are experienced in working with seniors with dementia, stroke, Parkinson’s disease and other medical conditions. From canvas painting and calligraphy to pottery and knitting, there will definitely be one which appeals to your loved one.
Attend art festivals
For those who appreciate art, take part in themed art festivals happening on our sunny island. With events such as the Silver Arts Festival organised by National Arts Council and A Date with Friends held at the Esplanade annually, immerse in music, dance and film from the past till present.
Culture
Did you know that reminiscence can improve cognitive function and behaviour? Taking a trip down memory lane through interactions with places and objects is also a great way to engage the elderly.
Play old school games
Go back in time as you and your loved ones engage in a nostalgic game of 5 stones, pick up sticks, as well as traditional games like the Chinese Chess and Congkak available here. For a local twist, check out games from Hua Hee and KYDZ. Many of these brain-stimulating games can also be found on popular gaming consoles and free online platforms like Solitaired.
SilverActivities has also created SilverPad, a senior-friendly tablet where the elderly can independently watch shows, play music, and stay engaged with their custom-built cognitive games. They also provide free digital games and printable activities for seniors. The best part is – all of these are available in our local languages!
Besides having fun, playing games can engage our minds, boost and maintain our cognitive functions, and keep conditions such as dementia at bay.
Stroll along Monument Trail
Learn and reminisce about Singapore’s heritage as you start the trail from the mouth of the Singapore River which is once the heart of Singapore’s commercial activity and entrepôt trade. Along the way, be greeted by iconic landmarks that tell the story of Singapore, before ending at the War Memorial Park.
Visit Singapore’s museums
Did you know that Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents (PRs) can get free entry to more than 8 museums in Singapore? Catch a glimpse of the past as you go museum-hopping with your loved ones!
Nature
Besides being a mood-booster, exposure to green spaces has been proven to lower our risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and high blood pressure. Engage the elderly through nature in our garden city with these activities:
Pick up gardening
Gardening can bring a host of health benefits by keeping us physically active, giving us a sense of purpose and improving our mental wellbeing. Encourage your loved one to pick up gardening at home, or better yet, turn it into a social activity and participate in community gardens in the neighbourhood. You can also have your very own farm-to-table by growing edible plants at home.
Spend some time with nature
Need a whiff of fresh air? Venture out of home for a walk on these senior-friendly nature trails and take some time to appreciate the wonders of nature.
Participate in nature workshops
From floral arrangement to DIY terrariums, there is something for everyone. For a truly local experience, sign up for a nature workshop by homegrown Edible Garden City. Each session includes a walk around the barrier-free accessible farm in Queenstown, followed by light exercises, before ending with a thematic hands-on activity led by the horticulture therapy-trained educators.
Music
We are no stranger to the magic of music. Besides bringing joy, providing comfort and evoking memories from the past, it also improves physical, cognitive and emotional health.
Listen to the classics
What better way to engage the elderly than to get them grooving to the classics? It may not be easy to find vinyl and cassette players anymore, but their modern descendants – radio and Spotify – work just as well. Create or hunt for a playlist and take a trip down memory lane with Elvis Presley, Marvin Gaye or the Beatles. Old is gold!
Guess the song
Spice things up with a memory game! Play a tune and try to recall the song’s title – fastest person wins. You can even have your own Music Bingo to play with your loved ones!
Sing-along
Turn up the music and sing your heart out to familiar tunes from the ‘60s! Gather your singing kakis for a karaoke session in your neighbourhood or at Alzheimer’s Disease Association’s Memories Cafe.
Learn to play an instrument
Express yourself through rhythm, beats and melodies. Community centres now offer a variety of musical instrument courses for the aspiring musician. Select a musical instrument and attend a class today.
Join a Silent Disco
Throwback to the ‘70s and get grooving with Silent Disco! Have a blast and sweat it out while jamming out to songs from the past with your friends.
Fitness
It is widely known that staying active is beneficial to both our physical and mental health. Here are some fun ways to engage the elderly physically and make exercising more enjoyable and feel less like a chore.
Keep fit at home
Build up your strength, flexibility and endurance to prevent falls and improve your overall wellbeing. Doing simple stretches and bodyweight exercises for just 30 minutes a day, several times a week, can make a difference. Most importantly, find an exercise that’s most suitable for you and that you’re comfortable with. Remember to always listen to your body and stop if you’re experiencing pain. If you would like a more comprehensive and personalised workout session, consider home physiotherapy.
Join an exercise group
Working out in a group can boost motivation and make exercising all the more fun! Whether you are looking to sweat it out or simply wish to engage in light exercises, there is something for everyone. Get in touch with online communities such as Team Strong Silver and Gym Tonic, or check out the activities at the active ageing hub closest to your home.
Attend fitness classes
Build up your fitness with a certified trainer by signing up for regular workout classes. Make it a goal to try out as many forms of exercises as possible and find out what you like best! Do remember to inform the instructor of any past injuries.
Cause-related Activities
If you are looking to stay physically, mentally and socially active in the community, why not do it for a good cause? Here are some activities you can engage the elderly in as you encourage them to contribute back to society.
Start volunteering
Give back to society by volunteering for a cause you believe in. Besides helping others, volunteering is beneficial to ourselves too by helping us stay connected with society and giving us a sense of satisfaction and purpose. Stay up to date on the volunteering opportunities available by joining RSVP or searching online.
Walk for a cause
Support meaningful causes while staying active by participating in annual events such as Run For Hope. Suitable for all ages, join as a family for an intergenerational day of fun!
Befriend fellow seniors
With the multitude of senior-friendly activities available on our little red dot, there is bound to be something for everyone. Pick an activity from this list and engage your loved ones in meaningful activities today.
This article first appeared on Homage.
Homage is an award-winning personal care solution that provides on-demand holistic home and community-based caregiving and medical services to seniors and adults, allowing them to age and recover with grace, control, and dignity.
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