How younger social workers and social service entrepreneurs are exploring the use of music in the eldercare space. 

Synopsis: Every second Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at social issues of the day with guests.

In this special edition of In Your Opinion - filmed in front of a live audience at The Foundry - a social service entrepreneur and social worker share how music can transform the eldercare space.

Be it for their loved ones or as part of their advocacy, youths can now find more avenues to reach out to seniors, using the powerful tool in music. 

When it comes to engaging the elderly, music can reinvigorate and empower them - all while closing the gap between different generations. 

Studies have shown that music can amplify connections between the brain’s auditory and emotional regions, encouraging memory encoding and recall. 

In this episode, ST assistant podcast editor Lynda Hong and her co-host - STNow reporter Christie Chiu - speak with two guests who are harnessing the power of music to transform eldercare in Singapore. 

The two guests are: SanCare Asia founder Johnson Soh, who uses music-based technologies and services to help dementia patients; and Fei Yue Community Services programme executive Amanda Soon, who taps on music to get seniors more involved in their communities.

Having studied in the UK and worked in the film industry there before returning to Singapore, Amanda now uses her creative skills to empower seniors and youths. At Fei Yue, she uses music to pilot various programmes and workshops with youth volunteers, youths and seniors.

After working in the music industry for almost 30 years, Johnson founded SanCare Asia in 2016. The first elder-care service in Asia to offer person-centered reminiscence music programmes came about when Johnson's father developed dementia. 

"I actually used my dad as a guinea pig," he said, adding that he put together a playlist of songs which would resonate with him, songs which he grew up with during his formative years.

"And yeah, it worked wonders, you know, to see him light up, to see him in a different mood just gave me the impetus to start the company."

Over the years, Johnson has used reminiscence music to develop various programs as well. With his extensive research and deep music expertise, Johnson developed many programmes including Strike A Note©, a proprietary personalised music playlist programme for seniors. He also launched Return To The Tea Dance©, a silent disco-inspired music and movement programme, which became a  finalist at the 2020 Asia Pacific Eldercare Innovation Awards.

Highlights (click/tap above):

6:41 How Fei Yue creates community for seniors by reviving lost dreams

7:20 How Fei Yue youth volunteers bring energy and ideas to do community work with seniors

9:03 Bridging inter-generational gaps through SanCare Asia’s person-centred care, creating a personalised music playlist for each senior

12:06 When music can also elicit adverse reactions; a delicate task for youth volunteers with seniors

15:50 Return to the Tea Dance, a silent disco programme for dementia seniors

22:41 Youth volunteers, social services and social enterprises empowering each other

25:20 How the Crdl can help the less-functioning dementia seniors

Find out more about: 

SanCare Asia: https://str.sg/kEvE

Fei Yue Community Services: https://str.sg/sAxH

Listen to the other filmed live podcast at The Foundry:

Saving our old buildings from obscurity: What can young people do? - https://str.sg/FKRb

Read ST’s Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH

Read Christie Chiu’s articles: https://str.sg/3ESxU

Hosts: Lynda Hong ([email protected]) and Christie Chiu ([email protected])

Produced by: ST Podcast Team & ST Outreach & Engagement Team

Edited by: Hadyu Rahim

Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong

Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:

Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt

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Feedback to: [email protected]

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