Duke-NUS Advances Research to Shape Policy Amid Singapore’s Rapidly Ageing Population

As Singapore anticipates a profound demographic transformation, with projections indicating that by 2030 nearly one in four citizens will be aged 65 or above, the nation stands at the forefront of addressing the challenges and opportunities associated with an ageing society. The recent Singapore Conference on Ageing and Health 2026, convened by Duke-NUS Medical School’s Centre for Ageing Research & Education (CARE), marked a significant milestone in fostering an interdisciplinary dialogue aimed at optimizing ageing in place through evidence-driven policies and community initiatives.

The conference, themed “Ageing Well in the Community: Exploring New Horizons,” convened over 170 experts from 15 countries spanning Asia, Europe, and North America. This diverse assembly included researchers, healthcare policymakers, clinicians, and leaders from community organizations, all united by the urgency to realign societal structures to better support older adults. Central to the discussions was the imperative to shift from conventional, prescriptive models of elderly care to those that emphasize autonomy, social connectivity, and psychological well-being.

A pivotal insight emerging from the conference underscored the inadequacy of ageing policies that demand conformity from older adults to rigid institutional frameworks. Instead, effective interventions are those intricately tailored to the lived experiences, daily routines, and social realities of older persons. Such person-centered approaches not only enhance engagement and satisfaction but demonstrate tangible benefits in reducing loneliness and social isolation, both of which are increasingly recognized as critical determinants of health in later life.

Innovative research led by Duke-NUS, spanning from 2023 to 2025, closely examined the Active Ageing Centre (AAC) service model implemented nationwide. This model promotes the co-creation of programs wherein older adults assume leadership and participatory roles, rather than being passive recipients. The empirical findings revealed that empowering elders to influence program design nurtures stronger communal bonds and enhances the sustainability of social networks. These data carry profound implications for recalibrating community-based interventions that aspire to optimize cognitive health and emotional resilience.

In Singapore’s push to address the adverse health impacts of social isolation, there has been a strategic expansion of AACs and neighborhood-centric initiatives designed to promote active social engagement. The evidence presented at the conference elucidated that these centers achieve maximal efficacy when they transcend physical infrastructure to embrace flexible formats supporting autonomy and continuous interaction. For example, extending operational hours beyond staffed times allows older adults unfettered access to communal spaces, thus fostering spontaneous and varied social encounters.

Several exemplar programs showcased how translational application of research findings can concretely enhance elder engagement. NTUC Health’s “Designing Together” initiative synergizes efforts between senior citizens and youth to collaboratively address active ageing challenges. This intergenerational partnership cultivates deeper societal integration and mutual respect, which are pivotal in countering age-related stigma and promoting shared community ownership of ageing solutions. Similarly, the refreshed AAC at Thye Hua Kwan Moral Charities demonstrates how facilitative staff roles that promote elder-led programming engender meaningful and enduring connections.

Associate Professor Rahul Malhotra, Executive Director of CARE, articulated a compelling vision for ageing policy: “Supporting older persons to age well within their homes and communities demands a fundamental redesign of active ageing spaces to align with daily practices, aspirations, and social networks. Beyond mere lifespan extension, we require models fostering psychological well-being, social inclusion, and purposeful engagement, thereby empowering older adults to age with both dignity and meaningfulness.”

The conference’s opening ceremony notably featured a poignant performance by dancers living with dementia alongside their care partners, curated by the social enterprise Dementia & Co. This artistic presentation vividly highlighted the transformative role that creative expression and inclusive community participation can play in enhancing quality of life for individuals living with cognitive impairment, emphasizing the multidimensional nature of ageing well.

Marking its 10th anniversary during the conference, the Centre for Ageing Research & Education at Duke-NUS continues to champion interdisciplinary approaches that bridge medical, social, and policy domains. Its collaborative network spanning governmental agencies and community groups exemplifies a translational research paradigm that directly informs practical solutions to societal ageing challenges.

Professor Patrick Tan, Dean of Duke-NUS Medical School, reinforced the vital interface between research and policy: “Singapore’s commitment to initiatives like Age Well SG necessitates robust empirical frameworks that illuminate how neighborhoods, services, and social ecosystems can be optimized for ageing populations. This conference is testament to Duke-NUS’ pivotal role in converging evidence and policymaking to foster impactful community outcomes.”

As an international exemplar grappling proactively with demographic shifts, Singapore offers a dynamic model wherein rigorous scientific inquiry drives the reimagining of ageing—not as a challenge to be mitigated but as a societal phase to be celebrated and supported. The Singapore Conference on Ageing and Health 2026 thus not only delineated a roadmap for local transformation but also contributed critical insights to the global discourse on sustainable, person-centered ageing strategies.

News Publication Date:
February 2026

Web References:

• Duke-NUS Medical School Centre for Ageing Research & Education: https://www.duke-nus.edu.sg/directory/detail/rahul-malhotra?_gl=1*fvm5v7*_gcl_au*MTcyMjIxMTA4Ny4xNzY2NDcxNjgz
• Thye Hua Kwan Moral Charities AAC Media Release: https://www.thkmc.org.sg/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Media-Release-Launch-of-Refreshed-THK-AAC-Bedok-and-Bedok-Sanctuary-Final.pdf

References:

1. National Population and Talent Division, Population in Brief 2025 report
2. The Straits Times, “Seniors learn to solve active ageing challenges alongside youth in new NTUC Health programme”, 1 March 2025
3. Thye Hua Kwan Moral Charities Launches Refreshed AAC, 20 September 2024