By 2030, nearly 1 in 4 adults will be over the age of 65 in Singapore's ageing population. In a world where the pursuit of longevity and well-being has become a global fascination, one place has stood out as a shining example of a community that thrives on healthy ageing and intergenerational connections - Kampung Admiralty. Recently introduced in the Netflix series “Live to 100, Secrets of the Blue Zone” and lauded in a Fortune article, Kampung Admiralty in Singapore has garnered international attention for its innovative approach to senior living and holistic well-being.
Blue Zones are geographic regions in the world where people live longer and healthier lives than average, and people have been looking to Kampung Admiralty to unearth the secrets behind healthy ageing. In this blog post, we’ll delve into Kampung Admiralty and explore how NTUC Health offers a holistic suite of active ageing programmes and activities to cater to different interests and needs, promotes intergenerational bonding and provides essential support for seniors and caregivers.
Welcome to the world of Kampung Admiralty, a welcoming and inclusive space that has a mix of public facilities, where longevity meets intergenerational living in Singapore.
Kampung Admiralty: A Blueprint for Healthy Ageing
Kampung Admiralty is Singapore's first integrated public development in Singapore, a testament to her commitment to sustainable design and to foster diversity. The building, which is designed as a one-stop integrated complex for senior living, received the prestigious 2018 World Building of the Year award at the World Architecture Festival, and stands proudly at 676 Woodlands Drive 71.
The unique development defies the traditional approach of each government agency carving out their own plot of land, resulting in various standalone buildings. Instead, this integrated site maximises land use by housing different facilities under one roof, not only accommodating Singapore's ageing population, but also functioning as a thriving community park. Kampung Admiralty is a perfect example of how the Housing & Development Board (HDB) and National Parks Board has collaborated to create a groundbreaking Active Ageing Centre (AAC) (previously known as active ageing hub) to bring diverse communities together to foster diversity.
Kampung Admiralty was designed using a 'vertical kampung (village)' approach with three tiers: a community plaza on the ground floor, a medical centre in the middle tier, and a community park with apartments for seniors in the upper floors. The community plaza is a pedestrianised central courtyard designed as a community living room dotted with activity generators, commercial, and public facilities. Within this open and inviting space, members of the public can participate in organised events, shop at NTUC FairPrice, or eat at the nearby hawker centre, which is managed by NTUC Foodfare. The building's design optimises natural daylight but is also sheltered by the upper floors, allowing activities to continue on-site regardless of rain or shine.
In the central tier is the medical centre, where residents can consult healthcare specialists or have simple day surgeries without having to travel all the way to the hospital. To promote wellness and healing, natural daylight fills the centre's consultation and waiting areas from perimeter windows and through the central courtyard. Those visiting the centre have views of the plaza below and the community park above, encouraging them to stay connected to people and nature.
In the community park above, the lush greenery not only provides a serene ambience but also serves as rain gardens, effectively managing the building’s stormwater runoff. A sky terrace and community farm provide a community space for residents to exercise, chat or tend to the farms to help the seniors feel connected to nature. Research has shown that gardening and engagement with nature can have positive effects on physical and mental health, decrease stress, improve blood pressure levels, and even help with concentration.
What makes the development even more unique is the co-location of NTUC Health’s Active Ageing Centre (Care) (AACC) next to NTUC First Campus’ My First Skool (MFS), which promotes intergenerational bonding by integrating elder care and MFS preschool facilities. The 11-storey complex houses 100 apartment flats in two residential blocks for the elderly, and grandparents who are residents can help to look after grandchildren while their parents are at work or running late for pick-up.
These connections also extend beyond convenience with cross programming of intergenerational activities such as gardening, and art and craft exchanges. These connections held strong even during COVID-19 where virtual drama productions kept the bonds between seniors and children, making Kampung Admiralty the living embodiment of how thoughtful design can create a thriving, interconnected community.
NTUC Health Active Ageing Centres (AAC)
NTUC Health’s Active Ageing Centres boast a community of AAC friends purposefully engaged in their golden years. Located in Kampung Admiralty and islandwide, these centres provide opportunities for seniors living nearby to interact with peers and provide mutual support.
The community-based activities provide opportunities for AAC friends to help others and give back with their time, experience, and skills. These activities and exchanges promote active ageing and make life more fulfilling for seniors. Our Active Ageing Centre (Care) (AACC) also offers a range of health and engagement programmes, information and referral points to the government or other services for seniors who need assistance.
Social activities
NTUC Health’s commitment to active ageing is exemplified through the holistic suite of programmes and activities offered at AACC to cater to various interests and needs. These community-based activities cover a diverse spectrum, such as intergenerational activities, healthy cooking demonstrations, interest group activities, classes and workshops (e.g., digital tools, language classes), advance care planning, and retirement planning.
Doris (pictured here with her husband), is a retiree who began her involvement at Kampung Admiralty’s community farm in 2017. She has since become an active presence at the AACC, visiting daily to take part in gardening and arts and craft activities. Her dedication extends to her role as a senior volunteer, where she guides fellow AAC friends in nurturing plants and maintaining the community garden for two hours a day. Her pride and joy is the bitter gourd plant which she harvests and shares with other AAC friends, particularly those with diabetes, who blend the gourd into juice, as it is believed to help with the condition.
On some weeks, Doris conducts composting talks for the children from My First Skool (MFS). The preschoolers will also often take walks in the garden she maintains in the mornings, led by their own teachers. Doris’ vision for the garden is to see more paintings and murals in the farm to inject even more life into the community space. Her commitment to the community extends beyond the garden as she takes the initiative to organise weekend outings for seniors in the neighbourhood on weekends the AACC is closed.
Another shining example of active ageing is Bernard Tay, 68, a resident AAC friend who embraced this lifestyle upon retiring five years ago. Bernard diligently visits the AACC three times a week where he immerses himself in different lessons and activities. He particularly enjoys Zentangle-doodle classes, finding solace in creating a variety of art pieces. His passion for music led him to ukulele classes at AACC, and he now enjoys playing with his fellow AAC friends to keep his passion alive and help maintain his memory.
Bernard recently took a coding and programming course, focusing on building and programming robots to dance with music and lights. With a commitment to lifelong learning, he diligently takes notes during lessons and graduated as part of the pioneer class. Most recently, Bernard began volunteering to teach coding and programming to fellow AAC friends at the AACC despite feeling a mixture of nervousness and excitement at the same time.
Doris and Bernard embody the essence of active ageing, demonstrating that age is no barrier to an enriching life and staying connected to the community.
Senior Gym
Keeping seniors active and healthy is at the basis of NTUC Health’s AAC mission. The senior gym offerings at Kampung Admiralty, and islandwide, is a display of this commitment. This specialised fitness experience is tailored to the unique needs of elderly residents, enhancing their physical well-being, mobility, and promoting a healthier lifestyle.
The senior gym provides a safe and supportive environment for seniors to engage in selection of strength focused programmes. What sets this facility apart is the emphasis on senior-friendly equipment and the presence of qualified trainers to ensure the safety and comfort of each senior. The senior gym is an important component of the comprehensive care offered at Kampung Admiralty, ensuring that each senior’s golden years are vibrant and active.
Conclusion
Kampung Admiralty’s ‘vertical kampung’ stands as a testament to the power of community, the principles of healthy ageing and the importance of intergenerational connections. This unique development exemplifies the essence of the Blue Zone philosophy with well-being and longevity at the forefront.
Within its premises, NTUC Health is committed to providing holistic care, innovative programmes and opportunities for seniors to give back to the community.
The active ageing facilities enrich the lives of Kampung Admiralty residents, both old and young, and are a haven for families and those seeking a fulfilling, vibrant retirement. It is a show of how communities can flourish when they embrace active engagement and social responsibility.
More Resources
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