Ageing with Dignity: Sensory-Led Dim Sum Dining Experience Introduced for Individuals with Dementia and Swallowing Challenges
Date: 21 Oct 2024
Singapore, 21 October 2024 – The Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) and The Project Futurus, a social enterprise dedicated to promoting positive ageing, have jointly introduced Singapore’s first collaborative care food experiential learning pilot programme. This initiative features the ‘Captain Softmeal™’ and ‘Sensory Restaurant on Wheels™’ programmes, both developed to address dysphagia – a growing health concern among the elderly, through educational workshops and an immersive softmeal dining experience.
Dysphagia, or a condition with swallowing difficulties, affects approximately 58,000 and 174,000 individuals aged 65 and above in Singapore1. As the population ages, the prevalence of dysphagia is expected to rise, posing significant public health concerns, including increased risks of malnutrition and aspiration pneumonia. To mitigate these risks, the Ministry of Health (MOH) introduced the EatSafe SG initiative aimed at improving safe swallowing practices. However, despite efforts in caregiving training and meal preparation, many dysphagia patients still face limited dietary options.
Designed for individuals with dementia and swallowing difficulties, the Sensory Restaurant on Wheels™ will offer a sensory-led, immersive dim sum dining experience to over 90 older adults, 120 stakeholders from the care sector, and 60 community and student volunteers over a week-long programme.
This programme aligns with the EatSafe SG policy by providing texture-modified meals that comply with the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation (IDDSI) Framework. Using a Japanese softmeal enzyme technique, the dim sum served retains the appearance and taste of local favourites, such as Singapore Laksa, pandan desserts, Chwee Kueh, Hainanese Chicken, and Cantonese dim sum (please refer to Appendix B). These meals are crafted to promote safe swallowing while ensuring an enjoyable dining experience for individuals with swallowing difficulties.
In collaboration with three key elderly care operators – Catholic Welfare Services’ St. Joseph’s Home, Methodist Welfare Services Bethany Nursing Home, and Salvation Army Peacehaven Nursing Home, the pilot programme introduces the Captain Softmeal™ programme, which aims to promote safe and dignified dining for individuals with dysphagia. This workshop focuses on preparing softmeal versions of familiar local dishes, ensuring they retain their original shape and flavour while being easy to swallow.
Both programmes are key components of SUSS’ Dignity Dining: Age Better, Age+ Community Engagement Series. This series aims to enhance dining experiences for older adults and promote inclusivity within the community. In addition to these programmes, a Community of Practice (CoP) seminar titled ‘Connecting Shared Humanity through Food, Art, & Culture’ will be open to the public (see Appendix A for details). This seminar will foster discussions on how food and cultural experiences can cultivate a sense of community and enhance well-being, inviting participants to explore the intersection of dining, art, and culture in creating meaningful connections.
This initiative is part of the larger ‘Age Better, Age+’ movement by SUSS and supported by Ngee Ann Kongsi. The movement aims to create inclusive dining experiences for older adults, fostering community engagement and encouraging intergenerational interactions. By promoting safe and dignified dining with assistive utensils and texture-modified meals, the initiative enhances the overall quality of life for seniors, reduces social isolation and improves their well-being. This initiative unites community partners to co-create solutions that support Singapore’s ageing population, focusing on four essential aspects of daily living: medical (医), dining (食), living (住), and mobility (行).
Earlier this year, SUSS partnered with SG Assist to launch the Age+ Living Lab, Singapore's first community-based gerontechnology living lab. Designed to simulate an authentic home environment, the lab is equipped with innovative products and solutions tailored to the needs of seniors.
Building on the objectives of the Age+ Living Lab, the partnership with The Project Futurus seeks to introduce innovative dining options for seniors in Singapore, specifically addressing the dining (食) aspect of their daily lives.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Ms Nur Aziemah Public Relations Manager Singapore University of Social Sciences | Ms Queenie Man Founder & CEO The Project Futurus |
Ms Melissa Ho
Public Relations Executive Singapore University of Social Sciences | Ms Milky Choi Senior Studio Manager The Project Futurus |
About Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS)
At SUSS, we have a singular vision to be a university that inspires learning for life and impacts lives, regardless of age, background or life path. Our university is a vibrant tapestry of ages and experiences. From recent JC and polytechnic graduates to seasoned professionals, parents seeking new horizons and individuals redefining their careers in their golden years—our diverse community comes together for one common goal: to empower themselves with an education that impacts lives and society.
We offer more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programmes, available in full- and part-time study modes which are flexible, modular and interdisciplinary, catering to both fresh school leavers and adult learners. SUSS also offers a broad range of continuing education and training modular courses for the professional skills upgrading of Singapore's workforce.
To date, over 47,000 graduates have experienced our unique brand of education. More than 21,000 students are currently pursuing their full- and part-time studies with us.
The Institute for Adult Learning (IAL), as part of SUSS, leads in the field of research on adult and workplace learning and training of adult educators to build capabilities of the training and adult education sector in Singapore and beyond.
For more information about SUSS, please visit www.suss.edu.sg.
About The Project Futurus
The Project Futurus is a social enterprise that promotes positive ageing through education, advocacy, community service, and impact program design. Established in 2018, we focus on solving three social problems:
- Enhance elders’ wellbeing through meaningful community engagements
- provide dignified dining solutions for those with swallowing difficulties
- Raise awareness on ageing and promote social inclusion.