As Singapore braces for a dramatic demographic shift, with projections indicating that one in four citizens will be aged 65 and above by 2030, the importance of developing robust, evidence-based frameworks to support an ageing population is coming sharply into focus. At the heart of this endeavour is Duke-NUS Medical School’s Centre for Ageing Research & Education (CARE), which recently convened the inaugural Singapore Conference on Ageing and Health under the theme “Ageing Well in the Community: Exploring New Horizons.” This landmark event brought together over 170 experts from 15 countries spanning Asia, Europe, and North America, including academics, policymakers, healthcare professionals, and community organisation leaders, all united by a shared ambition to translate cutting-edge research into actionable policy and community programmes that facilitate ageing in place.
The conference underscored the necessity of moving beyond traditional, rigid ageing policies towards more nuanced approaches that emphasise aligning services with older adults’ lived experiences, daily routines, and intrinsic social connections. Decades of research have shown that successful ageing frameworks must integrate psychosocial dimensions, underscoring that longevity without quality of life is insufficient. Emerging data presented throughout the event revealed how interventions tailored around individuals’ interests and social realities significantly reduce loneliness and enhance well-being, challenging the prevailing model of treating older persons as passive recipients of care.
One of the most compelling research initiatives highlighted was a multi-year investigation carried out by Duke-NUS from 2023 to 2025 examining the deployment and efficacy of the Active Ageing Centre (AAC) model across Singapore. This study demonstrated the profound influence of participatory programme design where older adults assume leadership and co-creation roles rather than remaining passive participants. Such an approach fosters stronger social ties, increased agency, and sustained engagement — factors critical to the psychological and emotional health of ageing populations. These insights are poised to revolutionise community-based ageing interventions worldwide by placing older adults at the helm of their social and support systems.
Singapore’s strategic response to combating social isolation among its elderly has included the expansion of AACs and neighbourhood-focused initiatives designed to cultivate social participation through accessible, culturally resonant environments. Recognising social isolation and loneliness as significant determinants of health risks among seniors, these initiatives have integrated research findings to refine operational typologies, ensuring that social, emotional, and psychological needs are not only acknowledged but prioritized. At the core of this is the understanding that community spaces should function not merely as venues for activities but as ecosystems that promote authentic social connection.
Notably, several exemplary models of community-based care presented during the conference illustrated the real-world application of research-informed frameworks. NTUC Health’s “Designing Together” initiative, for instance, exemplifies intergenerational collaboration by bringing older adults and youth together to co-create solutions for active ageing. This model promotes reciprocal learning and fosters a collective sense of ownership, bridging generational divides and enriching social fabric. Similarly, the AAC run by Thye Hua Kwan Moral Charities showcased the efficacy of democratizing programme leadership by empowering seniors to lead activities with staff facilitating rather than directing. This approach has generated more meaningful and durable social bonds, further validating the central thesis of the conference.
Associate Professor Rahul Malhotra, Executive Director of CARE, articulated the paradigm shift necessary for policies supporting ageing populations, emphasising the primacy of aligning services with older persons’ day-to-day lives rather than imposing rigid infrastructures. He argues that extending lifespan must be paralleled by extending healthspan and quality of life, facilitated by community environments that nurture social connections, psychological resilience, and purposeful engagement. Such a holistic model is pivotal for dignified ageing that respects autonomy while providing necessary support.
The conference’s opening ceremony featured a profoundly moving performance by dancers living with dementia alongside their caregivers, organised by the social enterprise Dementia & Co. This artistic presentation highlighted the transformative power of the arts and creative community involvement in enhancing the well-being and social inclusion of persons living with dementia. It served as a poignant visual metaphor for the conference’s overarching goal: ageing well not in isolated healthcare settings but embedded within vibrant, supportive community networks.
Marking CARE’s tenth anniversary, the conference also celebrated a decade of pioneering interdisciplinary research examining the interface of social determinants and medical ageing processes. The Centre has become a linchpin in Singapore’s efforts to leverage academic rigour to inform sustainable and human-centric ageing policies. Its collaboration with governmental and community partners epitomises a translational research model where scientific insights inform practice, closing the loop between discovery and impact.
Professor Patrick Tan, Dean of Duke-NUS, reinforced the role of rigorous research in underpinning initiatives such as Singapore’s Age Well SG, emphasising the critical need to decode how neighbourhoods, social services, and policy frameworks must evolve to support residential ageing. The conference epitomised Duke-NUS’s commitment to bridging the gap between empirical evidence and policymaking, fostering an integrated approach to public health innovation.
Singapore’s position as a global exemplar of demographic transition underscores the universal relevance of this research. By marrying robust scientific methodologies with context-sensitive policy design and community engagement, the Singapore Conference on Ageing and Health heralds a new era in ageing research. This approach not only mitigates the complexities associated with ageing populations but fundamentally reimagines ageing itself as a phase rich with potential for meaningful social contribution and personal fulfillment.
As nations worldwide confront the challenges of increasing longevity, the insights generated and disseminated at this conference resonate broadly. The integration of interdisciplinary science, participatory societal structures, and compassionate policy design illuminated at the event sets an aspirational standard, heralding practices that support ageing populations not only to survive but to thrive. The evidence-based frameworks championed here promise to transform ageing from a demographic challenge into a societal opportunity, catalysing healthier, more connected, and dignified lives for older adults globally.
Subject of Research: Ageing populations, community-based ageing policies, social isolation, dementia care, participatory programme design
Article Title: Redefining Ageing Well: Singapore’s Innovative Approaches to Community-Centered Ageing Policies
News Publication Date: February 2026
Web References:
– Duke-NUS Medical School CARE Centre: https://www.duke-nus.edu.sg/directory/detail/rahul-malhotra
– Thye Hua Kwan Moral Charities AAC Programme: https://www.thkmc.org.sg/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Media-Release-Launch-of-Refreshed-THK-AAC-Bedok-and-Bedok-Sanctuary-Final.pdf
– NTUC Health’s Designing Together Initiative: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/seniors-learn-to-solve-active-ageing-challenges-alongside-youth-in-new-ntuc-health-programme
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 THK Active Ageing Centre @ Bedok and Bedok Sanctuary, 20 September 2024
Image Credits: Duke-NUS Medical School
Keywords: Aging populations, Older adults, Biomedical policy, Geriatrics, Human health
