Introduction

SINGAPORE – Mondays and Tuesdays have become synonymous with Zumba, while Wednesdays and Thursdays mean Pilates and resistance training for Madam Koh Puay Choo, who is nearly 70 years old. For the last eight months, this energetic senior has been attending classes at the Lions Befrienders Active Ageing Centre in Queenstown, but recently, she discovered an even better way to stay active and connected.

Our Kampung App Launch

In November, 30 seniors, including Madam Koh, participated in a trial for a groundbreaking mobile application called Our Kampung. Officially launched by Lions Befrienders on December 12, the app allows seniors to sign up for various activities, including exercise classes, communal dining, gardening, and even music lessons—all from the comfort of their homes. "Now I don’t have to walk 20 minutes to the centre just to sign up for my exercises," Madam Koh expressed in Mandarin, highlighting the app's convenience.

User-Centric Features

But that’s not all—the app is loaded with features designed specifically for senior users. It allows them to keep track of their health, interact with a virtual pet avatar, and even register for volunteer opportunities. The user-friendly design—with intuitive touchscreen navigation, audio messaging, and large font sizes—caters to common challenges seniors face, such as visual impairments and limited motor coordination.

Importance of Social Engagement

At the launch event, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Social and Family Development, Eric Chua, emphasized the urgency of improving the healthspans of seniors in Singapore, where the average life expectancy exceeds 80 years but is accompanied by a significantly shorter period of good health. "The app provides an essential tool for seniors to remain socially engaged, which is crucial for maintaining good health," he stated.

Future Plans

Lions Befrienders, which currently serves over 13,000 seniors across 10 active ageing centres, plans to roll out the Our Kampung app to an additional 10,000 seniors over the next two to three years. The free app supports all four of Singapore's official languages, ensuring accessibility for diverse communities.

Collaborative Effort

The app is not only a product of technological innovation but also a collaborative effort facilitated by corporate sponsorships from Singapore Pools and PSA, alongside contributions from the Lions Befrienders’ tech team and WeesWares development studio, which offered its services at a reduced rate.

Engaging Features for Seniors

In addition to its health feature, the app has a fun element: a pet avatar game where users care for a virtual cat or dog. Madam Koh enjoys tending to her pet, stating, "It keeps my mind active. It’s better than staring at the four walls when I have nothing to do."

Microjobs for Seniors

Looking ahead, the next phase of development involves introducing "microjobs" within the app. Seniors can participate in various tasks such as event planning and selling handmade crafts on an upcoming e-shop for Lions Befrienders. This initiative breaks down tasks so that multiple seniors can collaborate, making the workload manageable while also providing them with a small allowance of $1 per completed task.

Conclusion

Mr. Chua highlighted that the app demonstrates a successful partnership between Lions Befrienders, corporate entities, and volunteers. "This collaborative effort is crucial for ensuring that Singapore can thrive and work for everyone, especially our seniors," he concluded.

The Our Kampung app represents a significant step forward in enhancing the lives of Singapore's senior citizens, equipping them with tools to engage more actively with their communities and stay healthy, both mentally and physically. As technology continues to evolve, initiatives like this pave the way for a brighter future for an aging population.