Our Aim
Filos developed a one-stop, home-based, value-added service of health and social care for the elderly living in the Kembangan-Chai Chee Community. Filos’ eldercare programmes aim to build a community that fosters social inclusion and engagement, allowing older persons of all ages to age-in-place, living their silver and golden years in familiar surroundings which they are happy to call HOME.
Our Impact
433
engaged seniors at Filos' Active Ageing Centre
311
seniors attended Active Ageing Programmes
258
seniors served through HAPPY Exercise Interest Group
94
seniors supported through Buddying and Befriending programmes
77
seniors reached through the More Than Friends programme
930
phone calls and 783 physical visits made through the More Than Friends programme
101
seniors supported through our Care Services
14
seniors helped through linkage services at Filos’ Active Ageing Centre
Source: 2023, Filos Community Services
Programmes
Active Ageing Centre
The Filos Active Ageing Centre provides a suite of services to support seniors in building strong social connections in their neighbourhood and in receiving timely access to integrated health and social care that allows them to age healthily, productively and happily in their community. It’s a go to place where they can take part in recreational activities as well as contribute to help with the needs of others through volunteerism. The suite of services includes:
- Active Ageing Programmes – Daily programmes are held. These include the HAPPY exercise programmes, that prevent and reverse physical and cognitive frailty, and interest workshops (such as creative arts programmes) that engage seniors with various talents and interests.
- Buddy and Befriending Programmes that reach out to isolated seniors, as well as seniors living with chronic diseases or who are frail. Volunteer befrienders support seniors through regular tele-befriending and home visits.
- Care Support through information and referral services for seniors with complex medical or social issues providing prompt linkages to help them with their needs.
- Social Connector services provide linkages for lifestyle and social interventions for seniors. The Filos Active Ageing Centre will help them to connect with various programmes and services all around Singapore so that they can keep themselves active and healthy as they age in the community
- Community Screening assists seniors to monitor their health through monitoring of vital signs, including pulse and blood pressure checks and measurement of weight, as they self-manage their chronic diseases in the community, in line with their personalised Health Plan. This is part of the Ministry of Health’s Healthier SG initiative.
Other Eldercare Services @ Filos
- THESS (TeleHEalth Service for Seniors) @ Filos provides telemedicine service for seniors in Kembangan-Chai Chee to consult their doctors at Bedok Polyclinic from the Filos Active Ageing Centre, located near their home. They are able to consult the doctor and the pharmacist in a conducive environment, with reduced waiting times and in less crowded conditions. This service is run in collaboration with Singhealth Polyclinic – Bedok.
- SingHealth Community Nursing Program (East) We provide Community Nurse consultation services in collaboration with Changi General Hospital. Consultations take place at Filos Active Ageing Centre. The services include but are not limited to health and geriatric assessment, health coaching for disease prevention, and education on self-care, medication and chronic disease management.
HAPPY Story
Mdm Chua moved into a Kembangan-Chai Chee rental flat in her 80s to support a daughter with some personal issues. She is a positive and resilent elderly who quickly became an active participant at Filos' active ageing programmes. She is grateful that Filos' HAPPY Programme has strengthened her body and made her better able to perform her daily tasks. She did not have the privilege to attend school and thus appreciates Filos' health talks where she can learn to manage her chronic conditions. Filos's Step Out programme, as it is where she can learn useful knowledge to manage her diabetes. She also has fun making useful crafts and most of all forging friendships with others in the community.
Friendships in the Community
Mdm Kam is in her 80s and lives alone in a rental flat. As age caught up, she developed chronic illnesses and a stroke changed her life significantly. Mdm Kam grew frail and became homebound over time.
She is enrolled in Filos’ befriending programme where a dedicated volunteer befriender, April, keeps in touch to support her as she self-manages her chronic conditions. Mdm Kam speaks of April fondly and appreciates April’s care and concern for her well-being.
Towards Physical and Mental Wellness
Mdm Hia, aged 80, suffered a stroke in May 2022, which weakened her right-sided limbs. Introduced to Filos through an outreach event, she joined the HAPPY programme conveniently located near her home. Actively participating in weekly sessions, she noticed improvements in her physical strength, balance, and confidence. “The happiest thing is making new friends and exercising together,” says Mdm Hia.