Every Memory has the

Power to Connect

Behind every memory is a lifetime of experiences worth sharing. Through reminiscence, older adults reconnect with their past, strengthen relationships, and continue contributing to their communities.

Built on Partnership, Rooted in Community

The DBS Foundation X SUSS Memory & Cognitive Health Community Programme was established through a shared commitment to help older adults age with dignity, purpose, and meaningful social connections.

As DBS Foundation's first regional community programme, the initiative brings together community partners, researchers, caregivers, and volunteers to expand access to reminiscence across Asia. Through direct service delivery and the Asia Reminiscence Hub, the programme supports older adults while building regional capabilities in training, research, and knowledge sharing.

Growing Across Asia

Singapore • China Hong Kong • Chinese Taipei • China • Indonesia • India

2,100

seniors reached through reminiscence sessions

315

Reminiscence Facilitators trained

 

*as of 4 Aug 2026

How We Work

Our programme includes three pillars. Each one depends on the others, and together they create something that grows and sustains itself across communities and borders.

Community Engagement: Delivering Reminiscence Activities

We bring reminiscence activities into community and care settings, creating opportunities for older adults to connect, reflect, and engage through shared memories and meaningful conversations.

 

How We Deliver Sessions

 

The Asia Reminiscence Hub provides essential resources such as planning, training and marketing to support agencies in efficiently and effectively reaching our older adults for reminiscence sessions.

Asia Reminiscence Hub

Capacity Building: Training and Community of practices

We equip older adults, caregivers, volunteers, and professionals to become certified Reminiscence Facilitators, building a sustainable network of community leaders across Asia. Participants may also take on micro-job opportunities and contribute to their communities.

 

Training & How to Join

Asia Reminiscence Hub

Research & Innovation: Impact & Insights

We conduct research to understand the impact of reminiscence on cognitive health, emotional well-being, and social connection. Insights from our studies inform programme development, strengthen evidence-based practice, and support healthy ageing across the region.

 

Our Research Programme

“

I enjoyed the reminiscence sessions conducted by Mr Ang because the stories everyone shared were so different. We all learned from one another, and that made the sessions meaningful.

Mr SL Teng

Participant at Lions Befrienders AAC

Mr Teng joined one of our partner Active Ageing Centres not quite sure what to expect. Week by week, as the group grew more comfortable together — facilitated by Mr Ang, their Reminiscence Facilitator — he found himself looking forward to each session. Not just for the memories shared, but for the people sharing them.

What Makes This Different

Reminiscence programmes exist in many places, what makes this initiative different is the ecosystem that surrounds it.

For Seniors Receiving the Service

They are not simply participants — they are storytellers and contributors. Reminiscence improves emotional well-being, social engagement and cognitive stimulation through regular, human-centred interaction.

For Reminiscence Facilitators

Many of our Reminiscence Facilitators are older adults and caregivers themselves, trained and empowered to lead meaningful conversations within their communities.

Beyond programme delivery, we continuously develop new tools such as games to spark deeper connections. As one of Asia's first longitudinal studies on reminiscence, we are also building evidence on how shared memories can support cognitive health, emotional well-being and social connection.

Together, we are creating a sustainable movement that helps older adults thrive while advancing healthy ageing across Asia.

What Our Facilitators Say

Hear directly from the people at the heart of this programme — trained facilitators who bring reminiscence to life within their communities every day.

Stories from the Ground

Mdm Sara, Reminiscence Facilitator

Mdm Saraswathi D/O Somasundram, Lions Befrienders

Sara's journey with reminiscence began when she joined the Reminiscence Facilitation Training programme through Lions Befrienders. Since then, she has become one of the programme's most dedicated facilitators and an active participant in the Micro-Job Programme.

What started as facilitated conversations with the seniors gradually grew into genuine friendships built on trust, care, and shared experiences. Over time, she became part of their lives beyond the sessions, celebrating important milestones such as weddings alongside them.

Her story is a reminder that reminiscence is more than remembering the past. It creates opportunities for meaningful human connection, turning conversations into friendships and communities into places of belonging.

Latest News

Explore All Events
Stay updated on programme milestones, training initiatives, research collaborations, and community stories from across the DBSF x SUSS Memory & Cognitive Health Community Programme.
News
DBS Foundation X SUSS Asia Reminiscence Forum 2025 - Singapore

Themed "From Memories to Healthspan: Rethinking Healthy Ageing Through Reminiscence and Innovation", our inaugural Forum drew over 180 participants and regional speakers to Oldham Theatre.

2 Aug 2025
News
Design Thinking Exhibition - Chinese Taipei

A Design Thinking Exhibition was held in March 2026, alongside a workshop exploring new intergenerational reminiscence approaches.

14 Mar 2026

Our Partners

Explore All Partnerships & Community

Get Involved

There are many ways to be part of what we do — as a participant, a trained facilitator, a partner organisation, or simply someone who believes that every senior deserves to feel heard and valued.

Contact Us