The National Library Board’s (NLB) signature Time of Your Life (TOYL) Celebration is back for its 13th edition with new resources and more than 80 programmes islandwide, including learning journeys, health and wellness workshops, and a talent showcase. In line with the Ministry of Health’s strategies on preventive care and successful ageing, this year’s event celebrates seniors, and encourages active ageing and lifelong learning. This year’s TOYL Celebration, themed “Ageless Creativity, Golden Opportunities”, will offer a mix of in-person, online and hybrid programmes to cater to more seniors.
NLB has organised the TOYL Celebration since 2011, with programmes and resources encouraging lifelong learning for everyone aged 50 and above. This year’s edition marks the third time since 2020 that NLB and the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) have come together. The Celebration has kicked off with a series of pre-events from 1 Oct 2023 leading up to the official launch today, with free programmes until 31 Oct 2023, and Minister for Health, Mr Ong Ye Kung, who graced the launch as Guest-of-Honour.
Earlier this month, seniors went on learning journeys within the community, where they got to visit organisations such as the Parkinson Society Singapore and SG Assist, a senior and caregiver Resource Centre, to meet professionals there to understand the work they do, and learn more about long-term care options. Seniors and their caregivers can look forward to health and wellness programmes like yoga for caregivers, and masterclasses on those topics at Tan Tock Seng Hospital.
SUSS has been working with the National Archives of Singapore (NAS), which is part of NLB, on various projects to promote health and well-being among older adults, including Reminiscence in Dementia care, Reminiscence library and Reminiscence facilitation training. Studies have found that reminiscing about the past can significantly increase blood flow to the brain, potentially up to 80 times. Reminiscence holds promise in easing symptoms of depression and slowing the progression of dementia and cognitive functioning.
NLB and SUSS also unveiled a new intergenerational reminiscence game, “Come! Let’s Chat” (CLC) today. Developed using curated visuals of past and present-day Singapore, including archival content from NAS, the game leverages the power of reminiscence to promote psychological well-being, self-esteem and happiness for seniors. SUSS, with support from The Ngee Ann Kongsi, is pleased to partner with the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) to offer the new online learning module, “An Introduction to Reminiscence Facilitation: Enhancing Wellbeing in Older Adults”, for Community Care staff. This module offered by SUSS will equip staff with reminiscence facilitation skills to serve the Community Care sector.
Everyone can also check out NLB’s digitised Memory Game cards, which can be downloaded for free via the NLB website (https://go.gov.sg/toyl-resources). These cards will provide more opportunities to engage seniors in conversations about their life journeys, or can be used too as a memory game by matching identical cards. Seniors can share their stories, and at the same time, develop a deeper appreciation and understanding of Singapore’s heritage and identity.
NLB’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Ng Cher Pong, said: “NLB has been running programmes and services at our libraries and archives, including many with our partners, to equip seniors with information to live and age well. We are happy to be able to continue collaborating with SUSS, to hold The Time of Your Life Celebration to offer more learning opportunities for seniors. We believe it is important for all of us, as we grow older, to gain a better understanding of the changes we are going through, and importantly to discover ways to continue to thrive.”
SUSS’ President, Professor Tan Tai Yong, said: “SUSS is proud to partner with NLB for the TOYL Celebration, honouring seniors and promoting lifelong learning — a core value at SUSS. Through our leading programmes, SUSS cultivates top-tier professionals in gerontology, fostering a skilled workforce that spans the healthcare, social services, and business sectors. Our longstanding seven-year collaboration with NLB has facilitated a consistent exchange of insights on eldercare and allowed us to co-create programmes focused on gerontology and the promotion of successful ageing. Together, we bridge gaps, uniting sectors in our commitment to empower and celebrate our golden years. We look forward to extending our partnership with NLB.”
As part of the TOYL Celebration, the organisers are proud to invite Mr Tomohisa Komura, Chief Manager of Japanese Broadcasting Corporation, Nippon Hoso Kyokai (NHK) to speak about the NHK Reminiscence Library, a pioneer in Asia on the use of a reminiscence library as a form of therapy for Japanese seniors in eldercare homes. Another guest speaker, Mrs Rebecca Choy Yung, Founder and Chair of Golden Age Foundation (GAF) in Hong Kong, will highlight GAF’s work on smart ageing and empowering people aged 45 and above to solve social problems.
For more active and healthy ageing tips, seniors can also check out NLB’s new resource guide produced in collaboration with MOH. The guide features books and video recommendations curated by NLB’s librarians to encourage seniors to take better care of their health and well-being. The guide can be downloaded at https://go.gov.sg/toyl2023-list.
Visit
https://go.gov.sg/toyl2023 for the full line-up of programmes and registration for the TOYL Celebration 2023.