Seniors in Kampong Chai Chee can take a look at well being devices at dwelling without cost beneath new group pilot

SINGAPORE – Seniors in Kampong Chai Chee will quickly have the prospect to borrow and check out well being devices at dwelling without cost earlier than committing to a purchase order.

The free mortgage service is obtainable by the brand new Care Tech Cafe, positioned at Heartbeat@Bedok, the place seniors and their caregivers also can have a really feel of the care tech gadgets in individual.

The year-long pop-up will showcase improvements like smartwatches that may monitor blood strain, sensible rings that information train, digital drumming apps, medical handgrip gadgets, and AI companion robots corresponding to LOVOT, Kebbi and Hyodol.

These gadgets value from $100 for a medical handgrip to $10,000 for a companion robotic.

The 60 sq m cafe, which will probably be launched at Kampong Chai Chee Community Club’s National Day celebration on Aug 1, will open each Monday and third Sunday from 2pm to 4pm.

Seniors and their caregivers residing in Kampong Chai Chee can borrow the devices a few month after the launch. The mortgage interval is one week.

In Singapore, the adoption of such know-how is comparatively gradual in contrast with different nations, with widespread causes being excessive upfront prices and lack of information and belief, mentioned Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) affiliate professor Kelvin Tan, who helms the challenge.

Care Tech Cafe will probably be manned by “baristas”, who’re seniors from energetic ageing centres and youth from Heartware Network, a charity that empowers youth via group service by offering them volunteer alternatives.

It is a collaboration between SUSS and vitality and commodities firm Nunchi Marine beneath the SUSS-Nunchi Marine Age Well Programme, with assist from the Kampong Chai Chee Citizens’ Consultative Committee and Kampong Chai Chee Community Club.

Senior Minister of State for Health Tan Kiat How, who oversees the Kampong Chai Chee ward, informed The Straits Times that the city is one among Singapore’s oldest and has one of many largest senior populations.

Hence, it has each the chance and the accountability to pioneer new methods of serving to seniors age effectively locally, mentioned the East Coast GRC MP.

Bedok was additionally formally designated in May as an Age Well Neighbourhood, the place seniors can entry enhanced care companies and senior-friendly infrastructure to assist them age independently and comfortably, with a way of function.

“Healthy ageing is not something healthcare systems deliver alone. It is something communities make possible,” mentioned Tan, who can be Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information.

“The Care Tech Cafe is a good example of how community partnerships can help seniors and caregivers discover practical technologies that make everyday living easier, safer and more connected,” he mentioned.

Kelvin Tan mentioned past introducing new applied sciences, the cafe goals to empower older folks and caregivers with sensible digital expertise, encourage intergenerational studying, and supply a platform for organisations and innovators to showcase care applied sciences.

“We often look at care technology on display at exhibitions. This initiative aims to bring such innovations closer to the community,” he mentioned.

For some, shopping for a $100 product with out attempting it out first could be acceptable. But for bigger purchases, the mortgage scheme hopes to make them extra accessible by permitting folks to check out the merchandise first, he added.

Following its launch, the cafe will roll out common workshops, know-how demonstrations, digital literacy classes and programmes for caregivers.

It can even enable start-ups and firms to check and collect suggestions for his or her improvements in order that the seniors might help “co-create” the merchandise.

Students and faculties will probably be invited to run hackathons or pitch their concepts for age-friendly options.

Separately, Kelvin Tan began the Society for Gerontechnology in May to give attention to ageing and know-how, and to assist speed up the adoption of technological options for seniors, caregivers and healthcare ecosystems. 

Tan, who can be secretary-general of the International Society for Gerontology, mentioned Singapore’s ageing society creates important alternatives for innovation and know-how adoption. 

“One of the concerns for ageing populations is not having enough labour to provide caregiving support,” he mentioned.

“Technology will help maintain care quality and mitigate manpower constraints.”

He hopes to develop the initiative to different elements of Singapore ultimately, together with bringing the cafe to the People Association’s (PA) group innovation areas.

Retiree Emily Choo, a Kampong Chai Chee resident, appears to be like ahead to attempting the smartwatch and sensible rings.

The 65-year-old ordered a smartwatch on-line two years in the past to watch her blood strain and blood sugar ranges, however stopped utilizing it because it was “not very accurate”.

She additionally has a social robotic which was purchased on-line for about $50.

“I think technology can really help improve our quality of life, and give us emotional support,” she mentioned.

Retired lawyer Prem Singh, 75, mentioned he’ll check out the smartwatches.

“The cafe is a good concept but seniors must be aware of it. It can work with PA to rope in young volunteers to bring the seniors out of their homes to this cafe,” mentioned the Kampong Chai Chee resident who has authored books on social points.

“This is good for intergenerational bonding too.”