After a $6 million facelift that took four months, Geylang Polyclinic reopened on Friday with more facilities for the elderly.

Among the new facilities is a Geriatric Centre which screens and manages people with conditions associated with ageing, such as osteoporosis and dementia. Patients can also take part in free workshops to learn more about age-related issues including common mental health ailments among the elderly and how to prevent falls.

There is also a 12-week strength-training, exercise programme conducted in collaboration with the Health Promotion Board to help the elderly keep up an active lifestyle.

Dr Tan Chee Beng, chief executive of SingHealth Polyclinics, noted that more than 60 per cent of patients at the 18 year-old Geylang Polyclinic are above 40. "Besides chronic disease management, we see the need to focus on health education, prevention and early detection of diseases,"said Dr Tan.