Seniors Engagement & Enabling Node (SEEN)

Live out your golden years meaningfully by staying active and healthy!

Singapore is one of the countries in the world with the lowest fertility rate and highest life expectancy. It is reported that by 2030, one in every four Singaporeans will be aged 65 or older. Hence, the government has introduced many measures and policies to deliver more effective community healthcare services to the increasing elderly population.

In Tzu Chi, Master Cheng Yen encourages the elderly to lead useful lives like young people, as they have a wealth of life experience and are able to continue to contribute to society (if their health permits). Besides, she emphasizes that staying active both physically and mentally is crucial to preventing age-related diseases.

Consistent with Master Cheng Yen’s call for the elderly to lead active lives, Tzu Chi Singapore accepts the appointment by the Ministry of Health (MOH) to operate two Eldercare Centres in the west district—SEEN@Nanyang and SEEN@Bukit Batok, which were officiated by respective Members of the Parliament and representatives of the districts' Residents' Committee. These centres offer active ageing, befriending, and care services to senior citizens, thereby supporting the government’s efforts to promote healthy and happy ageing.

The name, “Seniors Engagement & Enabling Node” (SEEN), reflects the Ministry of Health’s new plan for Eldercare Centres to serve as drop-in centres for seniors as well as a community link to help seniors stay healthy through engagement with various activities. Designed based on the five components of intergenerational bonding, artistry therapy, gardening, culinary arts, and strength training, SEEN reaches out to senior residents living in the nearby studio apartments and surrounding neighbourhoods.

Our Four Strategic Thrusts are as follows:

• Activate – Allow seniors to stay connected with the community
• Engage – Allow seniors to curate shared experiences and foster camaraderie
• Empower – Enable seniors to form self-help and cross-care groups
• Safeguard – Help seniors to stay healthy physically and socio-psychologically

SEEN also adopted the National University Hospital Singapore's Healthy Ageing Promotion Programme for You (HAPPY), which aims to help the elderly maintain optimum physical and mental health. In addition, it collaborates with the Lien Foundation to provide “Gym Tonic”, a senior-friendly strength-training programme which helps to reverse physical frailty through the use of software-enabled gym equipment designed to gently build the elderly’s core muscle groups. A physiotherapy team will also be on duty two days each week to serve seniors with chronic ailments, such as backache, pain in the neck and knees, etc. 

Supported by an existing team of healthcare professionals from the Tzu Chi Free Clinic, Lakeside Family Medicine Clinic, Day Rehabilitation Centre, etc., SEEN offers various programmes and services that enhance the wellbeing of seniors. As a community link, we also hope to engage more seniors in the community in various volunteer and charitable activities to enrich their golden years!

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