Singapore is projected to be a super-aged society by 2026. Additionally, 1 in 11 Singaporeans aged 60 and above may be living with dementia (Subramanian et al., 2025). At the same time, loneliness and social isolation have been identified by the World Health Organization as urgent public health challenges, associated with increased risks of dementia, depression, and premature mortality (WHO, 2025).

Reminiscence is a key evidence-based intervention that supports brain health and healthy ageing (Pinquart & Förstmeier, 2012; Tam et al., 2021; Pinquart, 2024). While it has often been used with older adults experiencing cognitive impairment or dementia, research projects at the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) led by A/P Carol Ma and her team, are extending reminiscence facilitation to the wider community in Singapore and beyond.

This work is undertaken in collaboration with diverse stakeholders, from philanthropic funders to community partners and older adults themselves, to strengthen non-pharmacological approaches and reimagine ageing as we know it.

Through reminiscence facilitation by trained facilitators, older adults are supported to recall and share their meaningful life experiences, creating platforms for storytelling, social interaction, and emotional expression. By activating memories and encouraging connection with others, reminiscence has the potential to reduce loneliness and social isolation, enhance mood, and support the overall psychosocial well-being of older adults in the community.

Overview

Together with community and research collaborators, the team at SUSS have led the development of structured programmes and activities grounded in reminiscence facilitation.

Since its inception in February 2020, project and applied research on reminiscence has evolved significantly and built a comprehensive ecosystem of initiatives, including:

What We're Working On

DBS Foundation X SUSS Memory and Cognitive Health Community Programme

Study Title: Promoting mental health and well-being of older adults and caregivers

Led by Carol Ma Hok Ka, Associate Professor and Head of the Gerontology Programmes, S R Nathan School of Human Development, Singapore University of Social Sciences

Abstract

The DBS Foundation x SUSS Memory & Cognitive Health Community Programme is a pioneering regional initiative supported by DBS Foundation to promote the cognitive health, emotional well-being, and social connectedness of older adults through reminiscence facilitation. Spanning Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Chinese Taipei, Indonesia, and India, the programme also serves as the Asia Reminiscence Hub—a regional platform for capacity building, research, knowledge exchange, and the consolidation of reminiscence resources and best practices.

Embedded within the programme is a four-year (2025–2029) longitudinal research study adopting a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach to evaluate the implementation, effectiveness, and impact of reminiscence facilitation across diverse community settings. A total of 1,020 reminiscence facilitators—primarily caregivers and older adults—will be trained as volunteers or paid facilitators to deliver reminiscence activities to more than 13,000 older adults across the region. Beyond enhancing access to reminiscence-based interventions, the programme also creates micro-job opportunities for facilitators who are older adults themselves, supporting productive ageing, financial resilience, and the practical application of newly acquired knowledge and skills.

Using a longitudinal mixed-methods design, both facilitators and participating older adults will be assessed over time to examine changes in cognitive health, emotional well-being, social connectedness, and programme implementation outcomes. Findings will inform the development of an evidence-based and scalable model for reminiscence facilitation in aged care, strengthening regional capacity and contributing to healthier, more connected ageing communities across Asia.

Read more on DBSF’s press release.