Growing the Age Better, Age+ Movement Together

On 12 November 2025, the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS), in partnership with Vanguard Healthcare, SG Assist, Hong Kah North PA, and supported by Ngee Ann Kongsi, hosted the Age Better, Age+ Community Education Series. The event aimed to help seniors, caregivers, and families learn practical ways to age better and live more independently.

Guest of Honour, Mr Lee Hong Chuang, BBM, Adviser to Jurong East – Bukit Batok GRC (Hong Kah North) highlighted the importance of community initiatives, bringing knowledge and practical tools directly to people’s lives to come and learn together.

Part of SUSS’s broader Age Better, Age+ initiative, the event encourages active and healthy ageing through community education activities such as workshops on brain health, nutrition, caregiving, and mindfulness. These efforts support Singapore’s national “Age Well SG” strategy by providing actionable knowledge and tools to the community.

The event combined informative talks with hands-on experiences, showing participants that ageing well is not just about health. It’s about food, mind, connection, and community.

Key takeaways included:

• Eating with dignity: How soft, easy-to-chew meals can help seniors enjoy food safely and maintain nutrition.
• Caring smarter, not harder: Caregiving works best as a partnership between family, professionals, volunteers, and the community.
• Protecting the mind and body: Steps to lower dementia risk, stay active, and maintain mental wellness.

Our trained GeronTech Ambassador, Mary and Dass, engaging Mr Lee Hong Chuang to various gerontech equipment that empowers seniors to live independently at home, during his visit to the 2^nd Age+ Living Lab at Harmony Village @ Bukit Batok.

Participants also experienced hands-on learning in a soft meal workshop, preparing traditional dishes in ways that are safe, tasty, and enjoyable for seniors.

In partnership with Project Futurus, a Hong Kong-based social enterprise, participants joined a soft meal workshop, learning to prepare dignified, easy-to-chew traditional favourites such as satay, chwee kueh, and kueh lapis. Attendees engaged in every step, from blending and moulding ingredients to plating and tasting their creations. Beyond the culinary skills, the workshop offered opportunities for social interaction, empowerment, and learning, reinforcing the initiative’s goal of supporting independence and well-being in older adults.

Participants learning hands-on techniques for preparing soft meals during the workshop 

Community organisations were on hand to share resources, from mental health support and volunteering opportunities to scam awareness and digital safety, making it clear that support is available and accessible for everyone.

Participants engaging with volunteers at the community organisations’ booths

In short, the event showed that ageing well is a holistic experience, combining nutrition, mental wellness, meaningful connections, and community support. Seniors and caregivers left equipped with practical tips, fresh ideas, and confidence to live better, longer, and more independently.

Laughter and learning came together at the Age Better, Age+ Community Education Series.

For those interested in contributing to this growing field, explore our Graduate Diploma or PhD in Gerontology programmes where you can help innovate approaches to community engagement and healthy ageing in Singapore and beyond.

Graduate diploma: https://www.suss.edu.sg/programmes/detail/graduate-diploma-in-gerontology-gdger

PhD programme: https://www.suss.edu.sg/programmes/detail/phd-in-gerontology-phger