Home Community Engagement Capacity Building Become a Facilitator Research & Innovation Partnership & Community Games & Resources

Research & Innovation

 

Understanding How Reminiscence Helps

We don't just run programmes; we study them. Research is woven into everything we do, helping us keep improving and showing the real difference reminiscence makes in seniors' lives.

Why This Matters

Connection and a sense of purpose matter at every stage of life, and they matter just as much for our seniors.

The World Health Organization has highlighted social connection in later life as an important factor in healthy ageing, linked to better mental and physical health outcomes[1]

Reminiscence offers a simple, human-centred way to nurture that connection. By encouraging people to share their stories, we help seniors feel:

✓ More connected to others

✓ More confident in who they are

✓ More mentally engaged

✓ Happier, with a stronger sense of well-being

Our Research

The DBS Foundation X SUSS Memory & Cognitive Health Community Programme runs a four-year research study (2025-2029) across Singapore and our regional partner countries.

Throughout the programme, we are following the experiences of facilitators and senior participants to understand:

✓ How reminiscence supports social connection

✓ Its impact on emotional well-being and quality of life

✓ How it supports cognitive engagement

✓ Whether it opens up meaningful community roles for older adults and caregivers

Our approach is community-based — meaning our research happens in real-world settings such as Active Ageing Centres and nursing homes, not just in laboratories.

Find Out More

What the Wider Research Tells Us

Our programme builds on a growing body of academic research into reminiscence and healthy ageing. Some of the key findings that inform our approach:

Reminiscence and Loneliness

A 2025 meta-analysis of reminiscence interventions found consistent improvements in loneliness outcomes across multiple studies, with effects holding across different cultural contexts[2]

Reminiscence and Psychosocial Well-Being

Systematic reviews have shown that reminiscence-based approaches can improve quality of life and strengthen psychosocial well-being among older adults, particularly when delivered in group settings[3]

Active Ageing Centres

A Singapore-based study of older adults in Active Ageing Centre engagement programmes reported improvements in mental well-being, reduced social isolation, and better physical well-being[4]

Home Care Settings

Research on home care interventions in Singapore found improvements in quality of life over six months, alongside fewer hospital readmissions[5]

Virtual Reality and Reminiscence

Studies on VR-enabled reminiscence have reported reduced anxiety, improved engagement and cognitive stimulation, and increased participation among people living with dementia[6]

From Research to Real-World Change

Our research doesn't stay in academic journals. Every finding helps us:

  • Improve how we design and deliver our sessions
  • Develop better training and resources for facilitators
  • Create new reminiscence tools and activities for seniors
  • Inform broader healthy ageing practice across Asia

We believe good research should make a real difference to real people. That is our commitment.

References

[1] World Health Organization. (2025). Social Isolation and Loneliness among Older People. WHO.

[2] Yang, X., et al. (2025). Effects of Reminiscence Interventions on Loneliness among Older Adults: A Meta-analysis.

[3] Pinquart, M., & Forstmeier, S. (2012). Effects of Reminiscence Interventions on Psychosocial Outcomes. Aging & Mental Health, 16(5), 541-558.

[4] Tan, L. Y., Lim, K. H., & Chia, J. P. (2022). Enhancing Senior Well-being through Community Engagement. Journal of Geriatric Studies, 18(3), 45-62.

[5] Ng, W. J., Teo, S. M., & Koh, P. L. (2021). Evaluating the Effectiveness of Homecare Nursing Services in Singapore. Asian Journal of Elderly Care, 15(2), 120-135.

[6] Chan, H. Y., Lee, R. T., & Wong, J. L. (2023). Virtual Reality and Its Impact on Elderly Care: Evidence from Singaporean Nursing Homes. Journal of Digital Health & Aging, 10(1), 78-94.; Foo, J. J., Chew, K. H., Lim, P., Tay, J., & Ma, H. K. C. (2024). Using Virtual Reality Recreation Therapy to Enhance Social Interaction and Well-Being in Homebound Seniors. Journal of Ageing and Longevity, 4(4), 373-393.