Tsao Foundation

Tsao Foundation Longevity Is Opportunity

THROUGH A COUNSELLOR'S LENS: DIGNITY IN AGEINGWith eight years of counselling experience—including five as a social work...
12/06/2026

THROUGH A COUNSELLOR'S LENS: DIGNITY IN AGEING

With eight years of counselling experience—including five as a social worker in a Family Service Centre—Man Wei found her calling in the quiet, deeper work of walking alongside people through difficult moments. Three years into her journey at Tsao Foundation, that purpose remains clear.

That early grounding in social work continues to shape how she shows up today. Guided by Tsao Foundation’s bio-psycho-social (BPS) approach, she looks beyond surface concerns—paying attention not just to what is said, but also to the emotional, relational, and environmental factors shaping a person’s experience. For Man Wei, older persons bring a wealth of lived experience. “I see my role as a facilitator of their mental and psychological wellbeing, rather than someone who ‘fixes’ things,” she shared.

Part of that role involves noticing when something feels off. It might be a pause when certain names come up, a shift in mood, or a growing sense of fear or withdrawal—subtle signs that can point to deeper concerns, including possible abuse.

In these moments, Man Wei leans into a gentle, non-judgemental approach—building trust, listening closely, and creating a safe space for seniors to speak, if and when they are ready. From there, she supports them at their own pace, helping them regain a sense of voice and control.

As we mark Elder Abuse Awareness Day this month, we highlight the role that counsellors play in recognising these quiet signs, creating safe spaces, and supporting older persons to reconnect with their voice and sense of agency.

Swipe through to hear more reflections from Man Wei on dignity, wellbeing, and what it means to truly support our seniors. 💛

Sometimes, it’s the simplest moments that bring people together ❤️At the NHG Health Games 2026 Bonding Boccia Finals, se...
10/06/2026

Sometimes, it’s the simplest moments that bring people together ❤️
At the NHG Health Games 2026 Bonding Boccia Finals, seniors from Hua Mei Active Ageing Centre (Care) teamed up with students from Republic Polytechnic for a friendly match—and along the way, built genuine connections.

Beyond the game, there were conversations, encouragement, and shared laughter. Age differences felt less like a gap, and more like an opportunity to learn from one another. Stereotypes softened as people got to know each other as teammates.

These interactions play a quiet but important role. Staying socially connected helps seniors remain engaged and confident, while younger participants gain a deeper appreciation of ageing and the strengths older adults bring.

As we mark World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (15 June) this month, it’s a timely reminder that respect and dignity are shaped through everyday interactions. When people feel seen, included and valued, we build communities where older persons are treated with care and understanding.

Thank you to NHG and Republic Polytechnic for making this possible, and to all participants for showing how connection can bring out the best in all of us 💜

💜 Every older person deserves to feel safe, respected, and seen—every single day.As our population ages, more people are...
07/06/2026

💜 Every older person deserves to feel safe, respected, and seen—every single day.

As our population ages, more people are living longer—often with more complex care needs. This calls for stronger, more coordinated support across healthcare, community care, and social systems to ensure older persons are protected, respected, and able to live with dignity.

This June, we mark World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (15 June)—a global call to recognise, prevent, and address elder abuse as a critical issue affecting older persons and our communities.

At Tsao Foundation, this is at the heart of our work. Through integrated, community-based support, we help create environments where older persons feel safe, connected, and valued—because preventing harm starts with building communities that care well.

✨ Week 1 Theme: Self-Care

Caring for others starts with caring for ourselves.

Creating safe and respectful environments for older persons isn’t just about policies—it’s about people. It’s about how we show up for one another, every day.
That’s why we recently took time to celebrate the incredible volunteers who have been journeying with us across Tsao Foundation.

Our senior volunteers are truly the heart of our programmes—giving their time, care, and dedication to uplift fellow seniors and strengthen the Whampoa community.

But just as they care for others, we believe in caring for them too. 💛
From a hearty buffet to moments of rest and renewal through massage and manicure sessions (made possible by our generous partner in the neighbourhood!), the day was about appreciation, connection, and self-care.

Because when we care for ourselves and one another, we help build communities where older persons feel safe, valued, and respected.

💜 Join us this June as we reflect, learn, and take action together.

To close off our Intergenerational Solidarity theme this month, we’re spotlighting a group of young changemakers 💛Studen...
29/05/2026

To close off our Intergenerational Solidarity theme this month, we’re spotlighting a group of young changemakers 💛

Students from Dunman High School 德明政府中学 recently reached out to us—driven by a genuine desire to connect with older adults and make a difference in their lives.

Their reflections remind us that intergenerational solidarity is not just an idea, but something we build through everyday acts of care, curiosity, and connection. As societies evolve, these bonds across generations become even more important in supporting wellbeing, inclusion, and shared understanding.

From learning through stories, to forming meaningful relationships, their journey is just beginning—and it’s one that holds promise for all of us.

👉 Swipe through to hear what inspired them, and what they hope to learn from this experience

Interested in volunteering with us? Get involved and be part of building a more inclusive community for all ages. Write to us at [email protected].

Pause. Breathe. Connect. 💭What does self-care look like in the middle of a busy work week?At our recent Learning Lounge ...
27/05/2026

Pause. Breathe. Connect. 💭

What does self-care look like in the middle of a busy work week?

At our recent Learning Lounge @ Tsao, the team took a moment to slow down, coming together for a mindfulness session focused on tuning into our thoughts, emotions and everyday wellbeing.

Through guided reflection (and a surprisingly lively round of Human Bingo!), colleagues found common ground, shared experiences, and built connections in a relaxed, open space.

Wellbeing at work is shaped not just by what we offer, but by the spaces we create, where people can pause, reflect and feel safe to be themselves.

A big thank you to Li Y. from A Kind Place for guiding us through the session and sparking meaningful conversations.

At Tsao Foundation, we’re continuing to nurture a culture where wellbeing, connection and community grow from within. 💛

Caring for a loved one is an act of love, but it can be physically exhausting, emotionally overwhelming, and financially...
25/05/2026

Caring for a loved one is an act of love, but it can be physically exhausting, emotionally overwhelming, and financially stressful.

As Singapore becomes a super-aged society, more seniors are finding themselves caring for other seniors. Behind closed doors, many are quietly navigating long days, difficult decisions, and the uncertainty of what lies ahead.

We’re heartened to have contributed to this important feature by The Straits Times (link in the comments), which shines a light on the realities caregivers face—realities that often go unseen and unheard.

At Tsao Foundation, we believe caregiving shouldn’t happen in isolation, or only in moments of crisis. It calls for earlier conversations, stronger community support, and better integration with primary care, so individuals and families can plan ahead, feel supported, and make informed choices.

To all caregivers: we see you, and we thank you. 💛

Last weekend, we hit pause on the day-to-day and headed to Penang for Tsao Foundation’s annual staff retreat 🌿Coming jus...
22/05/2026

Last weekend, we hit pause on the day-to-day and headed to Penang for Tsao Foundation’s annual staff retreat 🌿

Coming just after International Day of Families (15 May), it felt especially meaningful. Because today, “family” isn’t just about who we’re born to, it’s also the people we choose along the way: colleagues who become teammates, friends who become support systems, communities that show up when it matters.

In our work on ageing and longevity, we often talk about systems, policies and programmes. But at the heart of it all is something simpler: people. Feeling seen, supported and connected across every stage of life.

As societies age and caregiving needs grow, these connections matter more than ever. Strong communities don’t just happen. They’re built, nurtured, and sustained over time.

This retreat was a small but important reminder: the relationships we build with one another aren’t separate from our work. They’re what make the work possible 💛

Today, on International Day of Families, we’re reminded that intergenerational relationships shape how we live, learn, a...
15/05/2026

Today, on International Day of Families, we’re reminded that intergenerational relationships shape how we live, learn, and b (15 May) elong—at home, at work, and in our communities.

As more age groups live side by side, everyday interactions across generations take on new importance. Listening across differences, recognising strengths in various life stages, and finding common ground can help build understanding and trust—not just within families, but across society.

That belief is what drew Celina to Tsao Foundation.

Before joining us as an intern, Celina volunteered with Tsao Foundation, bringing together seniors and youths aged 13–17 together through “Strokes of Life”, a project she initiated through ComSA Centre @ Whampoa. Through a series of art workshops and informal conversations, the teens and the seniors connected as equals—sharing their stories, capturing these moments, or simply having fun together through their paintings, which then culminated in a community exhibition at Whampoa CC.

Now interning with our research and advocacy team at International Longevity Centre-Singapore, Celina supports research and interviews seniors—deepening her understanding of how intergenerational relationships influence dignity, relevance, and participation across the life course.

“What draws me to the ageing space,” she shares, “is learning from older persons—and showing up for them in the same way I hope someone would for me.”

At Tsao Foundation, we see intergenerational solidarity emerging through shared experiences, mutual respect, and spaces where people of different ages can contribute meaningfully. When voices are valued across generations, communities become more connected and resilient.

💬 Celina’s message to youths who are considering to volunteer or intern in the ageing space: “Go for it. It may seem daunting at first but is absolutely worth it!”

Thank you, Celina, for reminding us that intergenerational solidarity is built through everyday moments of listening, respect, and shared purpose. 💛

Today, on International Nurses Day, we’re spotlighting the nurses who help redefine what ageing well looks like in our c...
12/05/2026

Today, on International Nurses Day, we’re spotlighting the nurses who help redefine what ageing well looks like in our communities. 💙

At Tsao Foundation, we believe ageing well is about more than clinical care—it’s about person‑centred, community‑based support that upholds dignity, independence and confidence.

Meet Yaqing, one of our community nurses. 👉 Swipe through to read her reflections on care, the “small wins” that matter, and what nursing truly means to her.

In line with Tsao Foundation’s mission to build connected, age‑friendly communities and in celebration of the Internatio...
08/05/2026

In line with Tsao Foundation’s mission to build connected, age‑friendly communities and in celebration of the International Day of Families (15 May) we’re spotlighting the importance of stronger relationships across generations.

Intergeneration Solidarity is about creating spaces where older and younger generations meet, listen, and learn from one another—where lived experience, fresh perspectives and shared memories come together to strengthen community bonds.

That’s why we’re pleased to share Memory in Motion, a ground‑up design project by National University of Singapore of Singapore Master of Architecture student Chu Yi Tan. Co‑developed with seniors in Whampoa, this portable “travel archive” invites community members of different ages to engage through tactile and spatial storytelling. By sharing personal and collective memories, the project turns memory into a bridge—connecting generations to one another and to place.

📣 Join us for a sharing session where the project will be presented, followed by conversations with seniors and the community.



📅 Tuesday, 12 May 2026
⏰ 10am – 12pm
📍 Café Kawan, Level 3, Whampoa CC

👉 Come be part of this InterGen dialogue and explore how memory, design and cross‑generational exchange can build more connected communities.

NUS College of Design and Engineering | NUS Department of Architecture

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