Preparation

"The key to having a good conversation with an older person ... is to keep in mind that they’re just a person like you."

Five tips for successful communication with seniors. For example, "Offer Choices Whenever Possible".

An excellent collection of photos and questions to prompt conversations with Singapore seniors. Places, lifestyle, jobs, festivals ... An essential resource!

Kites (layang-layang in Malay) were hugely popular in pre-modern Singapore. Why not revive old memories by helping a senior make a kite and then going outside to fly it?

Classic 'kampung' (village) games of the 1960s and 70s, including the iconic 'Five Stones'. Bring a smile to someone's lips by reviving childhood memories.

Yoga is not all about impossible acrobatic positions. This video shows an example of gentle, seated yoga for seniors.

Cup stacking is always a speed challenge, but it is possible to do a slow demonstration and then invite seniors to have a go. With practice, they may even surprise you with their speed.

5 minute therapeutic hand massage for seniors 

Hand massage is welcomed by many seniors as a relaxing form of pain relief. 

NOTE: Only do an activity like this under the supervision of your Service Leader or parent.

Yes, even seniors can do a workout. Have you never watched a group of old folks exercising in a park? Nursing home residents, too, should stay active.

A simple, yet creative game using only old egg cartons and some ping-pong balls. Bound to raise a laugh!

Lots of our local partners would love you to organise this kid of project. Learn about such projects here and then maybe try it out with an elderly relative, using TOOLS such as these. Read about East Campus's life story project here.

A PhD student records interviews with hospice patients, adds sound effects and makes the recordings accessible to families through a box resembling a vintage radio. Read about another sound project here.

Disc golf, balloon basketball, wheelchair floorball ... Reduced mobility shouldn't mean that seniors can't play sports.

Parkinson's affects how the brain communicates with muscles. Although there is no cure yet, studies show that dance can help improve balance and co-ordination. Read here about the work of UWC alumnus Patrik Brundin, who is trying to find a cure.

Creative activities and art projects help seniors maintain their mental health and socialize with their community. Try some of these crafts at a nursing home or Senior Activity Centre.

A project in which terminally ill seniors are filmed as they reminisce about their lives. The resulting videos become a valuable memento for relatives.

Learn to sing these Malay, Chinese and English language songs, then organise a karaoke session at your favourite nursing home or Senior Activity Centre. Even better ... interview your elderly friends about the songs they loved in their youth and prepare to surprise them.

Mahjong is a strategy game, played with tiles, that originated in China. Many local seniors love to play it (and we have more than one set in the Service office), so it's worth learning the rules.

Khoo Teck Puat Hospital brightens the day of acute care patients with a horticultural therapy project. Spearheaded by a team of occupational therapists, it sees the hospital moving “gardens” into its wards.