Enhancing Clients’ Wellbeing
The AIC Wellness Programme, launched in 2014, aims to positively impact the wellbeing of frail seniors through the provision of meaningful/evidence-informed activities. The Programme also partners the Community Care sector to enhance psychosocial care through the provision of activity-related training for staff and volunteers under the auspices of the AIC Wellness Programme. For more information, please contact us at healthyageing@aic.sg.
Find out more about the AIC Wellness Programme in this video above.
Check out activity toolkits developed under the AIC Wellness Programme at this page.
Check out AIC’s Activity Repository, “one-stop” site for seniors, healthcare staff, volunteers and caregivers to discover a range of activities and resources offered by a wide range of partnering organisations at this page.
Training courses in the following evidence-informed activities are available for Community Care staff with training subsidies available for eligible Community Care organisations. Participants should be comfortable conducting group activities and be able to give instructions/understand simple English. It is strongly encouraged to have a minimum of 2 staff to attend the courses to ensure activity sustainability. To find out more about the respective courses, please click on the link in the respective training courses below.
1. ARTS – “Sensory Art” (Visual Art)
Research has shown that sensory art activities are effective in engaging Community Care clients and enhancing social interaction.
“Sensory Art”, co-developed by the Singapore Association for Mental Health (SAMH) and National Arts Council (NAC), explores art making from an occupational therapy perspective.
Community Care staff will be equipped with knowledge of how art making can stimulate the senses (through art materials, textures, sounds, hand movements and visual stimulation). They will also get hands-on practice and tips on how to adapt the activities for their clients.
Staff will receive the following resources as part of their training:
- Basic Training – Discover the activities!
- Step-by-Step Activity
Toolkit Please click here to find out more details about the course.
2. ARTS – “Everyday Waltzes for Active Ageing” (Creative Movement) – Now available in Parts 1 and 2!
“Everyday Waltzes for Active Ageing” adapts everyday actions into creative movement to enhance clients’ mobility, sensory experience and imagination. It aims to facilitate social interaction and mind-body connection to improve wellbeing. Community Care staff will be equipped with facilitation skills and content to run this creative movement activity. Find out more information about this activity by viewing this video. Staff will receive the following resources as part of their training:
- Basic Training – Discover the activities!
- Coaching – Showcase what you’ve learnt!
- Step-by-Step facilitation manual, instructional videos and specially composed music
Now available in Part 1 and Part 2! (Staff may sign-up for both parts or choose to start off with either Part 1 or 2 first). Separate course fees apply.
Please click here to find out more details about the course.
3. PHYSICAL LEISURE – “Tai Chi for Health” – Now available in Basic and Intermediate levels!
Tai Chi assists clients in enhancing their physical fitness, joint and muscle strength. It also aids in maintaining their range of motion and posture, relieving pain, promoting concentration and providing relaxation.
Developed by Dr Paul Lam, an Australian-based physician and Tai Chi practitioner, this activity has been implemented in a range of healthcare organisations in Australia, USA, South Korea and the United Kingdom. Tai Chi has also received favourable mentions in USA by the Centres of Disease Control and Prevention and the Administration on Ageing as an exercise form that prevents falls. It also has good evidence in promoting health and wellness for older adults. Sessions are led by Tai Chi Master Trainer, Jennifer Chung.
Community Care staff will be equipped with knowledge about how Tai Chi can positively impact health and learn through hands-on practice on how to facilitate Tai Chi.
Staff will receive the following resources as part of their training:
- Training – Discover the activities!
- Coaching – Showcase what you’ve learnt!
- Tai Chi Manual, Tai Chi Warm-Up Guide and Tai Chi Steps Guide as well as training videos to support their learning.
- Facilitator’s certification with a 2-year validity (This certification is renewable.)
The programme is now available in 2 modules (Basic and Intermediate). To attend the Tai Chi for Health (Intermediate) Workshop, staff will need to first complete the Tai Chi for Health (Basic) Workshop. Please click here to find out more details about the course.
4. PHYSICAL LEISURE – “Social and Therapeutic Horticulture”
Gardening-related activities can help improve muscle strength and fine motor skills, stimulate senses through textures, tastes and smells, and offer opportunities for socialising and learning of new skills. The activity toolkit content was developed in collaboration with AIC by students from Nanyang Polytechnic’s (NYP) School of Health Sciences’ Occupational Therapy programme.
Community Care staff will be equipped with knowledge on gardening and how to meaningfully facilitate gardening-related activities with their clients. The workshops are conducted by gardening experts and an Occupational Therapist.
Staff will receive the following resources as part of their training:
- Basic Training – Discover the activities!
- Step-by-Step Activity Toolkit
Please click here to find out more details about the course.
5. MUSIC – “Rhythm Wellness” (Drumming)
“Rhythm Wellness” is an expressive, stimulating drumming activity for clients to promote coordination and focus, enhance their muscle strength, and enables communication and teamwork through different exercises.
Community Care staff will be equipped with knowledge on drumming, and how to meaningfully facilitate the programme with clients.
Staff will receive the following resources as part of their training:
- Basic Training – Discover the activities!
- Facilitation Guidebook, programme notes and instructional videos
AIC and the National Arts Council commissioned a professional drumming organisation to develop this training course for the Community Care sector. The programme will be conducted by an experienced teaching artist who has facilitated many drumming circles.
Please click here to find out more details about the course.
6. PHYSICAL LEISURE – “Adaptive Sports Training” (FREE!)
Adaptive sports are sporting activities that have been modified to enable players of differing abilities to actively participate. In addition to improving health and fitness, sports instil a sense of achievement, boost mood and wellbeing. It also complements rehabilitation, keeping different muscle groups in action while providing an engaging variety of ways to be active.
Adaptive sports can be played recreationally or competitively and are excellent for clients who use wheelchairs, or for those who experience physical and cognitive challenges to stay active and socially engaged. It also enables clients who have been active all their lives to continue in sporting activities they enjoy. The content of the toolkit was co-developed by AIC and SportCares, Sport Singapore.
Staff/volunteers will receive the following resources as part of their training:
- Basic Training – Discover the activities!
- Step-by-Step Activity Toolkit – Download it here
The workshops are conducted by trainers appointed by SportCares.
Please click here to find out more details about the course.
Sign up for the following activity-related training courses (offered under the AIC Learning Network) via AIC’s Learning Management System:
- Purposeful and Meaningful Engagement in Dementia Care
- Implement Namaste Care (Intermediate)
- Reminiscence Arts for Dementia
- Plan and Conduct Activities for Clients in the Nursing Home (Basic)
- Therapeutic Use of Music in Various Populations and Settings
- Becoming Dementia Care Ready!
- Activities Planning and Implementation for Day Care and Nursing Homes (Cognitive Activities)
- Activities Planning and Implementation for Day Care and Nursing Homes (Community Reintegration)
- Activities Planning and Implementation for Day Care and Nursing Homes (Psycho-Social Activities)
Find out more details about these and other activity-related courses by searching for their course titles via AIC’s Learning Management System.
Information is correct as at September 2023
For more information on other activity resources such as “Wellness Wednesday” (Monthly Activity electronic direct mailer) and Activity Participation Templates, please visit the Knowledge Management section under AIConnect@Workplace.
Note: Login to AIConnect@Workplace is required.
