Tsao Foundation

23/08/2025

Are we truly ready to be a super-aged society?

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's National Day Rally speech highlighted the government's efforts to ensure that Singaporeans age-in-place. Find out what Dr Ron Ng, Geriatrician and Physician at Tsao Foundation, thinks of how we are doing and what more needs to be done.

Listen to his interview in this CNA938 Rewind podcast episode to gain insights on how we can be better prepared.

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/listen/cna938-rewind/ndr-2025-singapore-truly-ready-be-super-aged-society-5301591

In his National Day Rally speech, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong pledged enhancements to the way Singaporeans age in place. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman speak with Dr Ron Ng, Geriatrician, Tsao Foundation, to assess the real needs of seniors that go beyond having the right infrastructure – our se...

22/08/2025

"Being ready to try new things, even if we stumble or fall... is the only way to rise higher". This is what Prime Minister Lawrence Wong shared at his National Day Rally 2025 speech on 17 Aug.

Weeks prior to him giving this speech, around 300 visitors at the SkillsFuture Festival Care Economy Jobs and Skills Fair in Toa Payoh were already embodying such an adventurous spirit, many of whom are in their 50s and 60s who are keen to explore second careers in care or ways to contribute.

Our Clinical and Training Academy teams spent three fruitful days at the Fair from 25 to 27 July, with two workshops held at the HDB Hub Atrium as the highlight of our engagement with enthusiastic booth visitors.

On the first day, Sr Fong Yoke Hiong (Assistant Director of Nursing, Hua Mei Centre for Successful Ageing, Tsao Foundation), and Lim Lu Lu (Alumna, Hua Mei Training Academy [HMTA], Tsao Foundation), moderated by Vincent Goh (Assistant Director, Marketing & Operations, HMTA), spoke openly about the realities of eldercare work, drawing thoughtful questions from the crowd. On the second day, Tony Kee (Adjunct Adult Educator, HMTA) presented “The Journey of Dementia”, using stories and quizzes to pull people in.

Beyond the workshops, booth conversations also drew interest in Learning Room courses—especially dementia care for caregivers and seniors using SkillsFuture Credit to upskill.

Our hearts were touched when a woman in her 60s who is interested in working in the healthcare industry came to our booth to inquire about our Advanced Certificate in Basic Community Care Management. By day’s end, she was offered a position with NTUC Health—and still planned to enrol in our course to grow her skills.

We are grateful to the Employment & Employability Institute, e2i, Learning SG, and SkillsFuture SG for the opportunity to share about our training courses as well as showcasing Tsao Foundation’s integrated approach to eldercare.

Find out more about our caregiving courses at https://bit.ly/carecrs. For professionals, mid-careers switchers, or anyone looking to land their next role in care management, check out the relevant courses we have at HMTA here: bit.ly/hmtacourses

20/08/2025

Tsao Foundation is proud to be a partner of Singapore Council of Women's Organisations (SCWO)'s Summit for Action on Gender Equality (SAGE) 2025, a summit that sets out with a clear goal: Changing Mindsets in a Changing World.

As our social, technological, and cultural landscapes evolve, so must our strategies for achieving gender equality. SAGE 2025 focuses on shifting perspectives and sparking progress across three critical topics:

Male Allyship & Positive Masculinity
What does it mean to be a male ally today? How can we redefine masculinity in inclusive and supportive ways?

Mid-life Health & Wellbeing
From career transitions to menopause, how can workplaces and policies better support women in mid-life?

Technology & AI
Technology is shaping our future, but who is shaping the technology? How can we ensure tech bridges, not widens, the gender gap?

As a SAGE Partner, you will be able to purchase passes at an exclusive rate of $200 per pass. Use the code SCWOPARTNER when registering at www.scwo.org.sg/sage .

We are honoured to support this important platform for asking bold questions, sharing real solutions, and driving collective change.

15/08/2025

Our team of care managers and programme assistants had a fun and meaningful National Day celebration with about 950 residents of Jalan Bukit Merah on Saturday, 9 August! 🇸🇬

At the event organised by our partner Thong Kheng Active Ageing Centre, our Community for Successful Ageing (ComSa) team engaged seniors and their caregivers/family members with cognitive simulation games, including one that requires players to strategically move a red cap on a 3x3 grid to a specific location, one adjacent square at a time. Activities such as these help improve physical fitness, reduce risk of cognitive decline, and strengthen social bonds—mirroring the Foundation's holistic, community-based approach to successful ageing that emphasizes health, well-being, and social connectedness across the life course.

Thong Kheng AAC is supported by the Ministry of Health, Singapore and Agency for Integrated Care - AIC Singapore. We would like to thank Thong Kheng AAC for the opportunity to collaborate with them and to connect with residents in the community! 🏘

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18/07/2025

Dr Mary Ann Tsao, Chairperson & Interim CEO of Tsao Foundation, and Dr Kalyani Mehta, Head of the Gerontology Programme at the National University of Social Sciences (SUSS), were guests on CNA 93.8 Susan Ng’s radio interview about caregiving on Sunday, 13 Jul 2025.

The programme took a closer look at the future of caregiving in Singapore. With more families juggling complex care needs, it’s time to rethink caregiving as a community-wide effort. From policy shifts to support networks, the programme explored how caregiving can be redefined to better serve both seniors and those who care for them.

Co-living and assisted care-living were discussed, as well as the importance of developing quality intergenerational relationships throughout the life course. Experiences of spousal caregiving and transnational caregiving were shared by Dr Mehta, opening our eyes, ears, and hearts to the complexities of the caregiving landscape.

Dr Tsao spoke about the social compact and how it takes a village to sustain such demands on care. Her allegory of the “club sandwich” gave us food for thought (pun intended!)—do listen to find out more!

https://www.melisten.sg/podcast/playlist/Our-Town-2529511/Redefining-caregiving-in-an-ageing-Singapore--Dr-Mary-Ann-Tsao--Chairwoman--Tsao-Foundation-%26-Dr-Kalyani-Mehta--Chairperson--Silver-Caregivers-Co-operative--2988511

08/07/2025

🌏 Advancing Intergenerational Solidarity in a Rapidly Ageing Asia-Pacific

On 3 Jul 2025, Tsao Foundation hosted the “Longevity Discourse on Intergenerational Relationships 2025” in Singapore, in partnership with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP). The Symposium spotlighted the vital role of intergenerational relationships in building resilient, inclusive communities. Bringing together an international panel of speakers and academics in dialogue with industry experts, community leaders, and researchers across different age groups, it marked a significant milestone in our efforts to catalyse whole-of-society engagement on ageing issues.

🏛️At the Symposium, we were proud to also formalise a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with UNESCAP, through Tsao Foundation Chairperson and Interim CEO Dr Mary Ann Tsao, and Dr Srinivas Tata, Director of the Social Development Division, UNESCAP. The MoA paves the way for collaborative work on population ageing, intergenerational solidarity, and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted by UN members.

By 2050, one in four people in Asia and the Pacific will be aged 60 or older. As demographic shifts continue to reshape our societies, the inclusion and empowerment of older persons have become essential.

The keynote address was delivered by Dr Tata, who expounded on the Symposium's aim to address the challenges and trends in population ageing and intergenerational relationships, and bringing these issues into policymaking consideration, in today's landscape of an increased number of intergenerational households and diverse age groups co-existing within communities across Asia Pacific.

08/04/2025

Look for us at the Tsao Foundation exhibition booth at this year's World Ageing Festival, April 8-9 at Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre (Hall A), showcasing global elder-focused care innovations, forums and discussions on longevity issues, with more than 6,000 participants and 100 speakers across 40-over countries.

In partnership with festival organiser Ageing Asia, our Foundation's Chairperson and Interim CEO, Dr Mary Ann Tsao, launched the "Women In Longevity" Forum at the opening of the festival this morning, underscoring our commitment to advocating the empowerment of women with the opportunities, knowledge, and resources necessary for their financial security and well-being in their later years.

Visit our booth tomorrow in between attending the continuing seminars, talks and demonstrations, to learn about Tsao Foundation's history and programmes, explore work, volunteering and collaborative opportunities for seniors, and meet our friendly senior-volunteers from the Community for Successful Ageing (ComSA) as well as our colleagues from the training and clinical services.

21/02/2025

Our staff and volunteers spent last Saturday morning (15th February) participating in the annual Projek Kurma and helping to distribute goodie bags to the residents of Whampoa. Coordinated this year by Masjid Hajjah Rahimabi, we are privileged to be part of the community engagement efforts in Whampoa.

Graced by Guest of Honour, Senior Minister of State for Defence and MP for the Jalan Besar GRC, Mr Heng Chee How, this initiative embodies the spirit of Ramadan, and is a collective effort by community partners in Whampoa to provide support to families in need, while strengthening the bonds within the community.

28/01/2025

May this Lunar New Year light your path with good heath, wisdom and success!

20/01/2025

Endowus Gives Back (EGB) returns for its 4th year, continuing its mission to encourage meaningful change! This year, EGB is supporting 20 incredible charities, each advocating for a unique and impactful cause. This year, Tsao Foundation is among these charities.

Your donation to Tsao Foundation can make all the difference, bringing hope and support to our elders and their caregivers. All eligible donations will qualify for 250% tax deduction, amplifying your contribution.

To Donate: https://www.giving.sg/donate/campaign/endowus-gives-back-to-tsao-foundation-2024

About Endowus:
Endowus Gives Back is an initiative that encourages Singaporeans to help others chase and realise their dreams by getting people to give back to good causes. Each year, Endowus works with different charity organisations to reach out to and support diverse groups across Singapore.

Find out more about the Endowus Giving Machines here: https://endowus.com/givingmachine

15/01/2025

On 14 Jan 2025, Tsao Foundation welcomed a delegation from Hong Kong's Baptist Oi Kwan Social Service (BOKSS), in Singapore for an exploratory visit to our ComSA (Community for Successful Ageing) centre in Whampoa. Excitement buzzed in the room as we exchanged stories of innovation, collaboration, and commitment to enhancing the lives of older persons and enabling them to age well—a shared goal that transcends borders.

BOKSS expressed their admiration for ComSA’s integrated care system as we took them on a journey through our programmes, emphasising the importance of integration, community engagement, and proactive care. They were particularly eager to understand how our model—rooted in holistic, person-centred care—has not only improved the lives of older adults in Whampoa but also influenced healthcare policy in Singapore and practices across the region.

BOKSS’ desire to explore deeper connections sparked off synergistic ideas and a sense of shared purpose, leading to discussions with us on potential collaborations, including training initiatives with our Hua Mei Training Academy, to empower their teams with the requisite tools and insights to replicate successful community-based care models in Hong Kong.

This visit signalled the beginning of a potential partnership with the power to create ripples of positive change across borders, and reminded us of why we do what we do, and how much more we can achieve together. The delegation left inspired, expressing gratitude for the openness with which we shared our work and journey towards an inclusive society that embraces longevity.

Tsao Foundation continues to lead the way in ageing and community care in the region, reinforcing our role as a Thought and Practice Leader in the sector. This visit reaffirmed our commitment to the Foundation’s legacy we uphold and our shared purpose in making successful ageing a reality for all.