Tsao Foundation

Tsao Foundation Longevity Is Opportunity

It Takes a Community: Bringing Holistic Care to Older People Tsao Foundation is proud to be part of this year’s Project ...
27/12/2025

It Takes a Community: Bringing Holistic Care to Older People

Tsao Foundation is proud to be part of this year’s Project iRemember at Queenstown Community Centre — a heartening collaboration involving dedicated medical students from the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and youth volunteers from five junior colleges and polytechnics.

By joining Project iRemember in the heart of Queenstown, our team of doctors, nurse, and social workers were able to meet seniors right where they live, as the event brought dementia and depression screening, provided health support, and facilitated referrals directly to 331 seniors. Through on‑site doctor consultations, older adults who needed further support were referred to Tsao Foundation’s holistic care services. Our approach of addressing not only medical needs, but also emotional, social, and community‑based well‑being helps remove barriers to care and ensures that older adults have access to timely, integrated support close to home.

We appreciate the energy and compassion of our partners, 17-22 year-old students, who came together to uplift the well‑being of older people.

At Tsao Foundation, we believe that strengthening inter-generational solidarity is key to seniors continuing to lead healthy, meaningful, and productive lives in their older years.

Together, we are building a community where seniors can age confidently, stay connected, and thrive.

Curious about how Tsao Foundation supports ageing‑in‑place? We’d love to hear from you! What does ageing well in the community mean to you or your loved ones? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let’s keep the conversation going.

🤝 Building Stronger Community Connections for Better Ageing Outcomes “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to g...
18/12/2025

🤝 Building Stronger Community Connections for Better Ageing Outcomes

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

As Singapore moves toward becoming a super‑aged society, building strong community networks is more important than ever. Recently, our clinical and community development team visited Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH)’s Integrated Care Hub (ICH) for a lunchtime sharing — an opportunity for both teams to learn from one another and explore how we might collaborate in the future to better support older persons.

Through Tsao Foundation’s Community for Successful Ageing (ComSA) model, we work to empower older people to age actively and confidently in the community. ICH, with its expertise in subacute, rehabilitative, and palliative care, plays an important role in supporting patients transitioning from hospital back to home.

Our visit enabled us to understand each other’s strengths and explore potential areas of alignment. By learning about ICH’s care pathways and sharing our community-based approach, we gained insights into how improved coordination could enhance continuity of care for seniors — reducing gaps, supporting independence, and strengthening overall well‑being.

We also toured ICH’s dementia and palliative care wards, as well as their innovative rehabilitation spaces, including a real SBS bus and taxi used for community mobility training. These learnings help us reflect on how to design more responsive and compassionate programmes for older persons with diverse and complex needs.

Building relationships across the healthcare and community sectors takes time, but each meaningful conversation brings us closer to creating stronger, more seamless support for older adults.

👉 If you’re a healthcare professional, community organisation, or individual passionate about supporting older people, we’d love to connect and explore how we can learn from each other to help make ageing well in the community a reality. Send us a message at info@tsaofoundation.org.

🌟 Memory in Motion: Keeping Whampoa’s Stories Alive Across Generations 🌟 What makes a neighbourhood feel like home? For ...
12/12/2025

🌟 Memory in Motion: Keeping Whampoa’s Stories Alive Across Generations 🌟

What makes a neighbourhood feel like home? For Whampoa’s seniors, it’s the stories, places, and shared experiences that have shaped their lives over decades. Yet with Singapore changing rapidly, these familiar spaces—and the memories tied to them—risk fading away.

For seniors who are part of our Cafe Kawan (a meeting place where older residents lead activities and share their skills) and Hua Mei Active Ageing Centre, reminiscing about and preserving such precious memories has been made possible by "Travel Archive Suitcase", an initiative by Year 5 Architecture Masters student Tan Chu Yi () as part of her thesis at the National University of Singapore.

Conducted over four sessions, nine older residents at Whampoa shared stories, photos, and memorabilia which then guided the design of a prototype travel-size archival suitcase—a mobile tribute showcasing Whampoa’s unique heritage and landmarks. To make the discussions more engaging, Chu Yi translated seniors’ sharings into hand-drawn visuals, bringing their ideas to life in an accessible and creative way (check out her amazing illustrations of the participants!).

This project highlights the importance of memory, reminiscence, and social connections in supporting older people’s wellbeing. The suitcase sparks conversations, strengthens belonging, and encourages intergenerational sharing—helping seniors feel rooted and valued as they age in place. At Tsao Foundation, we believe that intergenerational connection is key to ageing well. Projects like this create opportunities for younger and older generations to learn from one another, fostering empathy, continuity, and a stronger sense of community.

Through her thesis, Chu Yi “hopes to reimagine Whampoa’s social infrastructure as vessels of collective memory, ensuring continuity, belonging, and connection for elderly residents”. Looking ahead, she “envisions the mobile archive evolving into a flexible, movable community centre—a space for storytelling, gathering, and fostering intergenerational bonds across Whampoa and perhaps beyond”.

💬 What’s your favourite memory of your neighbourhood? Share it with us below!

🌊 Seniors and Volunteers Dive into Wonder 🐠 Sixteen older adults from the Elder-centred Programme of Integrated Comprehe...
04/12/2025

🌊 Seniors and Volunteers Dive into Wonder 🐠

Sixteen older adults from the Elder-centred Programme of Integrated Comprehensive Care (EPICC)—our senior care centre—had an unforgettable experience exploring the vibrant marine life at the Singapore Oceanarium! 🐟🐢 From colorful coral reefs to majestic sea creatures, the smiles on their faces said it all.

This special outing was made possible through the generosity and commitment of Pegasus Travel Management and PlanTrip to give back to the community.

Warm and caring volunteers guided our seniors through exhibits and created moments of laughter and connection. Activities such as these reflect our biopsychosocial approach to eldercare—nurturing not only older people’s physical health but also their emotional and social well-being for a truly holistic experience.

A big thank you to Pegasus Travel, PlanTrip, and their amazing employee volunteers for opening the door to new experiences for our older people 🌟

📸 Swipe to see the highlights of this amazing day!

Connecting Older Men and Generations through Sports🎳 We wrap up our National Grandparents Day (23 Nov) celebration this ...
27/11/2025

Connecting Older Men and Generations through Sports🎳

We wrap up our National Grandparents Day (23 Nov) celebration this month by shining the spotlight on our Ah Gong-s, often thought to shy away from community activities. But 16 male seniors from our Active Ageing Centre at Whampoa and NTUC Health AAC showed they can connect, engage, and have a blast!

Earlier this month, older men from both AACs came together for a friendly bowling session at Planet Bowl @ Civil Service Club, Tessensohn. What made this event truly special: 13- to 16-year-old students from the Bowling Club of Maris Stella High School - Singapore joined the outing to share techniques and tips as they played alongside the seniors, creating moments of laughter and learning. When asked if they would do it again, the students responded with a resounding ‘YES!’ in unison.

Ms Shantini, one of their teachers, shared: “Our goal was for the boys to look beyond scores and winning. We wanted them to grow into gentlemen who give back to society. Through this activity, they develop essential life skills—patience, kindness, respect, and being inclusive and motivating. These qualities are not only vital for becoming better students but also for becoming valued members of the community.”

The exchange between the two generations turned a simple game into a powerful experience. Seniors picked up new skills, while students gained fresh perspectives on teamwork and resilience. Together, they showed how sports can bridge generations and build a stronger, more connected community.

👉Do you have an Ah Gong who would love to join our AAC activities? Call us at 9048 6321 to find out more and sign up for future sessions!

Eat Well. Sleep Well. Age Well.  🥘😴Continuing our celebration of National Grandparents Day (23 Nov), we’re spotlighting ...
19/11/2025

Eat Well. Sleep Well. Age Well. 🥘😴

Continuing our celebration of National Grandparents Day (23 Nov), we’re spotlighting our amazing Ah Gong-s and Ah Ma-s at Café Kawan and Active Ageing Centre (AAC)!

Over the past weeks, our seniors have been mastering the art of self-care—from making smart food choices to understanding sleep habits.

In October, 18 members joined S.C.O.P.E. (Self-Care on Health for Older Persons in Singapore) – Part 1 programme. Over four engaging sessions, they learned practical tips that include balanced diets, managing conditions like diabetes and hypertension, and exercises for strength and flexibility. Our seniors were empowered to take charge of their health and we’re thrilled to see them embracing these positive lifestyle changes.

Earlier this month, more members (24 of them!) dove into sleep and ageing, engaging in interactive activities and self-check exercises to reflect on their sleep habits. The lively discussions created a warm, supportive space where seniors shared experiences and encouraged one another. After completing the programme’s three sessions, many felt reassured and motivated to make small, positive changes for better rest and well-being.

Both programmes are offered by our Learning Room, a Tsao Foundation initiative which provides comprehensive life skills courses and training to assist older adults in achieving mastery in self-care and successful ageing. They embody Tsao Foundation’s biopsychosocial approach—supporting physical health, mental well-being, and social connection for holistic ageing. 🌱✨

👉 Join us in celebrating our Ah Gong-s and Ah Ma-s! Share your favorite tip for healthy living in the comments or tag someone who inspires you to age well.

14/11/2025

🎉 This November, we’re celebrating National Grandparents Day (23 Nov)!

We’re shining the spotlight on our amazing Ah Gong-s and Ah Ma-s at Cafe Kawan and AAC. From eating healthy to creative crafts and lively games, they’ve been keeping busy and making every moment count! 💖

These activities aren’t just fun—they reflect Tsao Foundation’s biopsychosocial approach, supporting seniors’ physical health, mental well-being, and social connection for holistic ageing. 🌱✨

Stay tuned as we dedicate a series of posts to the heartwarming activities that bring joy, laughter, and community spirit.

First up: World Makan Tour – Indonesia Edition!

Café Kawan was buzzing with excitement on 4 November as 36 seniors from our Active Ageing Centre and Café Kawan embarked on a cultural adventure to Indonesia—all thanks to the amazing initiative by our café volunteer, Elizabeth.

Participants explored Indonesian culture through traditional games, dances, batik art, and Wayang Kulit (shadow puppetry). The energy soared when Mdm Lai, one of our seniors, led a lively dance that filled the room with laughter (check out the video!).

And of course, no World Makan Tour is complete without the makan! Some seniors came early to prepare delicious gado-gado (Indonesian salad with peanut sauce), which everyone enjoyed together.

It was a day of fun, food, and friendship—a perfect example of how cultural engagement nourishes body, mind, and soul. 🌍💃🍴

👉 Join us in celebrating our Ah Gongs and Ah Mas! Share your favourite memory with your grandparents in the comments below, or tag someone who inspires you with their wisdom and warmth.

😔Loss of Relationships & Loneliness Dialogue, “All By Myself 独自一人" 18 seniors from Café Kawan and Active Ageing Centre c...
12/11/2025

😔Loss of Relationships & Loneliness Dialogue, “All By Myself 独自一人"

18 seniors from Café Kawan and Active Ageing Centre came together for a heartfelt dialogue on “Loss of Relationships & Loneliness.” 💬 The session, facilitated by Ernest Chua from Care Corner SG Seniors Services, Gerontological Counselling Unit, provided a safe space for seniors to share personal experiences, reflect on the impact of loneliness, and discover the power of friendship and community.

Ernest shared heartfelt insights on how the loss of relationships can deeply affect emotional well-being and offered practical strategies for coping with grief, reducing isolation, and reconnecting with others. The seniors left the session feeling heard, supported, and more aware of ways to nurture emotional health and strengthen meaningful social ties.

Why is this important? Loneliness isn’t just an emotional struggle—it’s a growing public health concern. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), loneliness contributes to more than 100 deaths every hour globally—that’s over 871,000 lives lost each year.

Strong social connections can lead to better health and longer life. Learn more in the WHO Commission on Social Connection report. Link in comments.

🎉 A Festive October at Café Kawan! 🎶🪔 October has been a vibrant month at Café Kawan filled with creativity, celebration...
06/11/2025

🎉 A Festive October at Café Kawan! 🎶🪔

October has been a vibrant month at Café Kawan filled with creativity, celebration, and community spirit.

These events reflect Tsao Foundation’s commitment to holistic ageing, where art, culture, and community foster older peoples’ wellbeing. At the heart of this is our biopsychosocial approach which recognises that ageing well involves more than just physical health—it also includes psychological, emotional, and social aspects of an older person’s life.

🎤 On the 15th, 12 seniors who participated in National Silver Academy’s (Council for Third Age - C3A) 10-session Singing Skills Course performed at Whampoa Community Club, showcasing songs in English, Chinese, and Malay—sharing joy and talent with the wider community.

🪔 On the 21st, we celebrated Deepavali with a heartwarming communal dining event. Seniors exchanged stories, enjoyed traditional snacks, and learned saree-draping techniques. The room was filled with warmth, laughter, and a desire for more festive gatherings in the future!

🎶 On the 23rd, we launched "Life Journey in Music: Past, Present and Future", a six-week programme, organised by Chapters of Life Arts Collective, and supported by the National Arts Council Singapore. Our older folks explored music as a form of self-expression and memory, creating short musical pieces inspired by their life journeys.

👉 Want to be part of a vibrant, age-inclusive community?

Come visit Café Kawan: Mondays to Fridays, from 9am to 5pm, and Saturdays from 9am to 1pm. Contact 87188309 for more information.

📢 Tiong Bahru Office Temporary Closure Notice We’re renovating our Tiong Bahru office to serve older persons better! 🛠️✨...
03/11/2025

📢 Tiong Bahru Office Temporary Closure Notice

We’re renovating our Tiong Bahru office to serve older persons better! 🛠️✨

Daycare services will be temporarily relocated to our Whampoa location at Whampoa Community Club while our clinic will be temporarily relocated to Hua Mei Acupuncture & TCM Centre, Blk 128 Bukit Merah View, #01-46, Singapore 150128

We anticipate the renovations to be completed by February 2026.

We are committed to making this transition as smooth as possible for all our seniors. Our staff will be working hard to create a welcoming and familiar environment at the temporary locations.

We apologise for any inconveniences caused. With this renovation, we hope to be able to create a homelike atmosphere where our seniors will feel familiar and comfortable as well as provide a therapeutic and supportive environment for persons with dementia.

We appreciate your patience and support as we complete this project. We look forward to welcoming you back to a refreshed space soon!

For any inquiries or assistance, please reach out via: 6593 9500 or info@tsaofoundation.org.

🎉 We’re proud to share that the Centre for Seniors (CFS) joined the SingHealth's President’s Challenge Grand Finale earl...
30/10/2025

🎉 We’re proud to share that the Centre for Seniors (CFS) joined the SingHealth's President’s Challenge Grand Finale early this month at Changi General Hospital (CGH)! 💙

As one of SingHealth’s adopted benefitting agencies, CFS is excited to launch a new initiative supported by the President’s Challenge Grant 2025 — a Micro-job/Gig service model for older people that starts at the Community for Successful Ageing (ComSA) @ Whampoa and will expand island-wide over the next three years.

This programme gives older people the chance to take on flexible, meaningful work; stay active and connected; and contribute to their communities in ways that suit their lifestyle and skills.

We’re working with community partners and employers to create senior-friendly opportunities.

💬Are you an older person interested in micro-jobs? Reach out to us at CFS: admin@cfs.org.sg

We are grateful to SingHealth, NCSS Singapore and all who supported us in this meaningful journey. Together, we’re building a future where ageing is active, dignified, and full of purpose. 💪

In celebration of World Mental Health Day, we hosted a meaningful sharing session this month on “Mental Health in the Wo...
28/10/2025

In celebration of World Mental Health Day, we hosted a meaningful sharing session this month on “Mental Health in the Workplace”, reaffirming our commitment not only to our older clients, but also to the wellbeing of our people.

At Tsao Foundation, we believe that a thriving workplace starts with a culture of care. The session sparked important conversations around empathy, intervention, and creating safe spaces for open dialogue.

Thanks to our speakers Daniel Yakub and Hafizah Zulkeplee, Senior Counsellors from Club H.E.A.L, for sharing their insights and reminding us of the value of prioritising employee wellbeing.

What are your ideas for fostering a culture of care in your workplace? Share with us in the comments section.

Address

298 Tiong Bahru Road
Singapore
168730

Opening Hours

Monday 08:30 - 18:00
Tuesday 08:30 - 18:00
Wednesday 08:30 - 18:00
Thursday 08:30 - 18:00
Friday 08:30 - 17:30

Telephone

+6565939500

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