Lien Foundation rolls out new Finland-inspired exercise programme for seniors

SINGAPORE — Taking a leaf from Finland’s book in eldercare, the Lien Foundation is rolling out a new health programme for 2,000 senior citizens in Singapore, which focuses on exercise as a means to improve emotional, physical and mental health.

Working with local aged-care IT & technology company Pulsesync, and experts and equipment from Finland, where the exercise-as-medicine approach has proven effective, Lien Foundation is introducing state of the art exercise machines that can customise strength training for the user at six nursing homes and six eldercare centres.

Called  Project Gym Tonic, the programme is aimed at senior citizens in frail health who are vulnerable to falls.  A participant is first assessed to develop a baseline. A physiotherapist then helps develop individual training plans tailored to help the participant improve their fitness. There will also be rehabilitative exercises to help the elderly deal with acute events such as falls and strokes, or low muscle strength.

A trial of a programme with 15 senior citizens , all with mild to moderate dementia, was held at Salvation Army Peacehaven Nursing Home from end-Nov 2013 to Feb last year. The 15 residents underwent the programme, and was assessed regularly and statistics were collated on their moods and physical abilities, together with a control group of 11 residents who did not undergo the programme. While the sample size was small, the trial found positive effects for the participants who underwent the programme. They displayed a reduction in mood symptoms, increase in muscle strength, reduced blood pressure and improved cognitive functionality and sociability.  

Said Mr Lee Poh Wah, chief executive officer of Lien Foundation, at the launch of the programme today (April 16): “Exercises by strength training are key in the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation strategies of care for our frail elderly. There is a need to mainstream ‘exercise as medicine’ and to widen its beneficial reach through healthcare policy, practice and training.”