SUSS and DBS Foundation Launch New Community Resource to Help Older Adults Stay Connected Through Reminiscence

• New reminiscence resource will be rolled out to Active Ageing Centres, nursing homes, and community partners
• Preliminary regional findings highlight the potential of reminiscence to support healthy ageing among older adults.
  

Singapore, 4 August 2026 – As Singapore enters a new chapter as a super-aged society, ageing is becoming a shared societal priority that affects communities and across life stages. Supporting social connection, cognitive health and emotional well-being is therefore not only about meeting the needs of older adults today, but also about strengthening how society prepares for longer lives together. Recognising this growing need, the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) and DBS Foundation today launched Our Time, Our Stories, a new community reminiscence resource designed to strengthen social connections and support healthier ageing through meaningful conversations. 

Mr Tan Kiat How, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Digital Development and Information & Ministry of Health officiating the launch of Our Time, Our Stories, a reminiscence conversation game developed by DBS Foundation and SUSS.

Developed under the DBS Foundation X SUSS Memory & Cognitive Health Community Programme, Our Time, Our Stories is a practical community resource that brings the benefits of reminiscence beyond professionally facilitated settings and into everyday conversations among older adults, families, and community partners. With around one in 11 older adults in Singapore living with dementia – a figure that rises sharply with age – there is a growing need for accessible resources that support cognitive health, social connectedness and intergenerational understanding.

Following its launch, the resource will be progressively introduced through the DBS Foundation X SUSS Asia Reminiscence Hub network as a practical resource for Reminiscence Facilitators and community partners, including Active Ageing Centres, nursing homes and community organisations. It is intended to support meaningful reminiscence activities while also serving as an intergenerational resource that enables families and the wider community to listen, learn and connect through shared memories and lived experiences.

The resource was officially launched by Mr Tan Kiat How, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Digital Development and Information & Ministry of Health, at the DBS Foundation X SUSS Asia Reminiscence Forum 2026. The Forum brought together researchers, practitioners, and community partners from across the region to exchange insights on healthy ageing through reminiscence. 

Group photo (from left): Ms April SiWon Lee, Technical Officer, Healthy Ageing, Data, Strategy and Innovation, World Health Organisation Regional Office for the Western Pacific; Associate Professor Carol Ma, Head of Gerontology Programme & Senior Fellow, SUSS; Dr Jennifer Lee, Chairperson, Gerontology Programme Advisory Programme, SUSS; Mr Michael Fok, Reminiscence Facilitator; Associate Professor Sirene Lim, Dean, S R Nathan School of Human Development, SUSS; Mr Tan Kiat How, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Digital Development and Information & Ministry of Health; Ms Karen Ngui, Head, DBS Foundation; Ms How Kim Chin, Reminiscence Facilitator; Professor Du Peng, Dean of the China Institute of Health, Director of the Institute of Gerontology, and Professor at the School of Population and Health, Renmin University of China and Ms Jacqueline Lim, Resource Development Lead, SUSS.

The Forum also featured preliminary regional findings from research conducted through the Asia Reminiscence Hub, presented by Associate Professor Carol Ma, Head of SUSS’ Gerontology Programme and Project Lead of the DBS Foundation X SUSS Memory & Cognitive Health Community Programme. This was followed by keynote presentations by Professor Du Peng and Ms April SiWon Lee, as well as panel discussions that brought together regional and international experts to exchange perspectives on emerging research, community partnerships, and innovative approaches to supporting healthy ageing.

Drawing on data from 688 older adults and 169 Reminiscence Facilitators across Singapore, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, the preliminary study found that participants experienced significant improvements in emotional well-being, alongside better depression-screening outcomes across all three locations through regular participation in reminiscence programmes. Improvements in cognitive health were also observed at selected sites, reinforcing the potential of reminiscence as an evidence-informed, non-pharmacological approach to healthy ageing. Together these findings underscore the value of accessible, community-based initiatives that support emotional well-being, brain health and social participation. They are also aligned with the World Health Organisation’s new guidelines recognising that up to 45%¹ of dementia risk could be prevented or delayed by addressing modifiable risk factors.

Our Time, Our Stories was developed as a practical community resource that makes reminiscence part of everyday conversations. Organised around familiar Singaporean life experiences – from childhood and education to work, family and retirement – the resource encourages participants to share memories, strengthen relationships and celebrate lived experiences across generations.

It uses gentle, open-ended prompts which enable everyone, including people living with dementia, to participate comfortably and with dignity. The resource draws on practical insights from gerontologists, community partners, older adults, caregivers, reminiscence facilitators and DBS volunteers, reflecting a shared effort to support healthier, more connected ageing in ways that are inclusive and accessible.

Associate Professor Sirene Lim, Dean of the S R Nathan School of Human Development at SUSS, said: “As Singapore’s population ages, supporting healthy ageing is a shared responsibility that extends beyond healthcare to families, communities and society as a whole. Through our partnership with DBS Foundation, we are committed to translating research into practical solutions that address real-world challenges and improve lives. Our Time, Our Stories reflects this shared commitment by equipping community partners, caregivers, and volunteers with an accessible resource that helps older adults stay connected, engaged, and age with dignity.”

Karen Ngui, Head of DBS Foundation, said: “At its heart, Our Time, Our Stories reflects DBS Foundation and SUSS' shared commitment to enable people to age with dignity, purpose and joy by making reminiscence accessible through everyday conversations. DBS has journeyed alongside generations of Singaporeans through different stages of life. In creating this resource, we have curated photographs, artefacts and stories from the bank's past – preserving them as institutional memory. By bringing familiar memories to life, it encourages people to share stories, experiences and values they hold dear, fostering deeper understanding and improving cognitive health. We are inspired by the efforts and journeys of the Reminiscence Facilitators and families who have used the reminiscence toolkits, keeping memories of loved ones alive for the next generation.”

The DBS Foundation X SUSS Memory & Cognitive Health Community Programme brings together research, capability-building and community partnerships to support healthy ageing in Singapore. To date, the programme has trained 315 Reminiscence Facilitators across Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan, engaging over 2,100 older adults across the three locations. By 2029, the programme will reach 11,500 seniors in Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Indonesia and India by engaging them in over 38,000 reminiscence sessions. Over 1,000 Reminiscence Facilitators will also be trained to engage older adults in reminiscence activities.

Partnership with National Gallery Singapore

As part of the Forum, National Gallery Singapore was recognised as a Knowledge Partner of the DBS Foundation X SUSS Memory & Cognitive Health Community Programme. By bringing together expertise in gerontology, arts engagement and dementia-inclusive practice, the partnership will explore evidence-informed approaches that integrate arts, culture and reminiscence into healthy ageing initiatives. It also demonstrates how museums and cultural institutions can serve as welcoming community spaces where seniors continue to learn, connect and participate in society.

Beyond improving well-being, the programme builds community capability by equipping older adults, caregivers, and volunteers to facilitate reminiscence activities within their communities. Many trained facilitators have since gone on to lead reminiscence sessions through remunerated facilitators’ roles and volunteer opportunities, extending the reach of reminiscence activities while enabling them to continue contributing meaningfully to their communities. 

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¹ https://www.who.int/news/item/15-07-2026-new-who-guidelines--up-to-45--of-dementia-risk-could-be-prevented-or-delayed

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About Singapore University of Social Sciences

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 110 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.

Our programmes and courses are offered by our six schools:

• S R Nathan School of Human Development
• School of Business
• School of Humanities & Behavioural Sciences
• School of Law
• School of Science & Technology
• School of Social Work & Social Development
  

Since becoming an Autonomous University in 2017, over 21,000 graduates have experienced our unique brand of education. More than 19,000 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 DBS Foundation

Core to DBS’ efforts in creating impact is DBS Foundation. Established in 2014, DBS Foundation is committed to uplifting lives and livelihoods of those in need.  

It provides essential needs to the underprivileged, and fosters inclusion by equipping the underserved with financial and digital literacy skills. It also nurtures innovative social enterprises that create positive impact. It aims to bring hope to those with less today, so no one is left behind and we can all face the future with confidence.  

Between 2014 to 2024, DBS Foundation has established a regional network of businesses for impact and community partnerships that collectively benefit around 10M beneficiaries. 

With ageing societies becoming an increasingly pressing concern, DBS Foundation is deepening efforts to redefine ageing and shape a future where everyone – regardless of circumstances or stage of life – is empowered to age with dignity, purpose and joy.