Singapore’s Pioneer Batch of WHO ICOPE Assessors

^{Certificate presentation day.}

We’re proud to certify Singapore’s pioneer batch of WHO Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE) assessors at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University on 11 February 2023. SUSS partnered WHO Collaborating Centre for Community Health Services to initiate this programme under the Ngee Ann Kongsi Social Impact Hub. Over two months, these assessors completed an intensive three-day training workshop with examinations and on-site community screening practice.

^{Three-day WHO ICOPE training workshop.}

WHO ICOPE is a person-centred screening assessment for the loss of six domains of intrinsic capacity (cognitive decline, limited mobility, malnutrition, visual impairment, hearing loss and depressive symptoms). Assessors also work with these seniors aged 60 and above to develop and empower them with a personalised care plan as part of their preventive health management. Assessors found that ICOPE is easy to administer and could help family members better determine their needs for health checks and areas that need more specific focus.

Greg, an employee in the eldercare sector, recounted: “The ICOPE workshop training course is a powerful forum where diverse minds come together to ignite new ideas, collaborate on solutions, and drive meaningful change for a common cause. It is a great opportunity for those passionate about improving the caregiving journey for seniors to come together and make a positive impact.”

Through this pilot, we have ascertained that ICOPE Step 1 is feasible at the community level and aligned to HealthierSG’s preventive approach to help our seniors age-in-place. Adrian, another employee in the eldercare sector, said, “The ICOPE initiative presents a chance for older people to take charge of their own health with the support of their loved ones and community - giving us hope that Singaporeans can age longer and healthily in time to come.”

The next ICOPE workshop training course will be in August 2023.