NDR 2025: Expect more activity centres, home services and healthcare in Age Well Neighbourhoods

SINGAPORE - A new scheme to help seniors age with dignity within their own communities was announced by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Aug 17.

The Age Well Neighbourhoods initiative

, which aims to provide seniors with convenient access to social activities and healthcare in their neighbourhoods, is an extension of the existing national programme Age Well SG.

The Age Well SG programme, led by the Health, National Development and Transport ministries, was launched in November 2023 to help seniors age actively, stay socially connected and be cared for within their communities.

“But there is still one major issue we have to tackle – long-term care and living arrangements,” PM Wong said in his National Day Rally speech.

He said Community Care Apartments, or Housing Board flats that provide health and community services to help seniors live independently, cannot be the main solution as there is a limit to how many flats can be built.

Moreover, many seniors are living on their own and do not want to move out as they are used to their current environment, he added.

The new Age Well Neighbourhoods programme extends care arrangements offered in Community Care Apartments to the wider neighbourhood.

PM Wong said Age Well Neighbourhoods will, for a start, be set up in Toa Payoh and one or two other areas with a higher concentration of seniors.

“We will test new ideas, learn what works, and scale up progressively,” he said, adding that the Ministry of National Development and Ministry of Health will share more details when ready.

Here are some features that an Age Well Neighbourhood is likely to have:

1. More active ageing centres

Active ageing centres will provide seniors with facilities such as gym rooms and exercise classes like kickboxing and drumming.

In Toa Payoh, there are 13 such centres now – up from six four years ago.

PM Wong said new sites will be identified to make it more convenient for seniors to access the centres, as some still have to walk more than 1km to reach the nearest one.

Other than offering more facilities, he said the new centres will also come up with programmes to interest more men, such as carpentry workshops.

This is because the existing activities appeal more to women, he added.

The Prime Minister said the hope is for such centres to be places where seniors can meet regularly, stay connected and forge close friendships.

Seniors will also be able to volunteer their time and expertise at these centres, he added, citing a group of seniors who started offering DIY repair services for wheelchairs.

2. Expanded home-based services

Age Well Neighbourhoods will also offer home-based services similar to those offered at Community Care Apartments, PM Wong said.

PM Wong said that in Age Well Neighbourhoods, seniors can choose what services they need.

These can range from simple home fixes and basic health checks to housekeeping, laundry and meal deliveries for those with additional needs.

Those who need help with daily activities like showering and feeding will also be able to get access to these services.

The Prime Minister said care staff will coordinate the services and visit seniors regularly. They will also serve as first responders in times of emergency.

3. Healthcare services closer to seniors

There will be more care facilities for seniors who need rehabilitation and physiotherapy at Age Well Neighbourhoods.

With these facilities, seniors can drop by for basic care and health consultations without having to travel far to get to a clinic.

PM Wong also said public hospitals will set up health posts in the community.

These posts will deploy nurses who can help with post-discharge follow-ups and medication management.

Watch PM Wong’s National Day Rally speech here: