MSC’s 10-year longitudinal study, the Jurong Ageing Study (JAS), investigates the efficacy of interventions such as mindful awareness practice, art therapy, music reminiscence, horticulture therapy, choral singing etc. in delaying the onset of dementia and depression. The Age Well Everyday (AWE) Program (previously named Dementia Prevention program) was conceived from the results of the JAS. AWE is carried out at several community centres across Singapore, including RSVP Singapore.
At the heart of AWE are the volunteers – some want to be better caregivers themselves. One volunteer who has a mother with advanced Dementia shared: ” I used to get impatient…she would experience sudden mood swings, affecting me as well. But nowadays, I adapt to her mood swings (as I understand more about what she is going through) – this programme is very beneficial.”