New Initiatives Launched to Support Frail and Socially Isolated Seniors at NTUC Health Active Ageing Centres

Singapore’s seniors can look forward to stronger support in ageing well, with new initiatives rolled out at NTUC Health’s latest Active Ageing Centre (AAC) in Bukit Panjang, officially opened today by Minister for Health and Coordinating Minister for Social Policies Ong Ye Kung. Notably, this is the first AAC to be co-located with a hawker centre, reflecting NTUC Health’s commitment to creating inclusive, community-based spaces for seniors.

Two new partnerships were also announced to address critical needs among seniors: fall prevention for the frail and dietary support for the socially isolated.

Smarter Fall Screening with AI

To help frail seniors, NTUC Health is working with CaptureProof and the National University Health System (NUHS) on a pilot fall screening programme. Using cameras and AI, the system assesses gait, balance, and walking speed to predict fall risks more efficiently than traditional manual assessments. This allows early intervention, from preventive balance and strength classes to physiotherapy when required.

The solution, new to Singapore, was first piloted at NTUC Health’s Boon Lay AAC in July. With 200 seniors expected to be screened by year-end, successful results could see the programme expanded across all 25 AACs. The initiative is supported by the Centre for Healthcare Innovation Start-up Enterprise Link (CHISEL) programme.

Tackling Nutrition Challenges for Isolated Seniors

NTUC Health is also partnering with the Geriatric Education and Research Institute (GERI) to study the dietary challenges of socially isolated seniors. Many avoid cooking for one, struggle with large supermarket portions, or face physical barriers such as oral health issues. As a result, fresh produce is often neglected in favour of processed food, while reliable nutritional advice may also be harder to access.

Findings from the study will guide community-based solutions to help these seniors maintain healthier diets.

Expanding the Active Ageing Network

Looking ahead, NTUC Health plans to add two more AACs in the coming year, bringing its network to 27 centres islandwide. In 2024 alone, close to 12,000 seniors participated in its active ageing programmes, with vulnerable seniors also supported through home visits, mental health screening, and community referrals.