NHG Polyclinics to expand frailty prevention programme to all centres by end of 2025.
In response to Singapore’s aging population, the National Healthcare Group (NHG) will extend its Frailty Programme to all polyclinics in the central region by the end of 2025. The initiative, which started as a pilot in 2022, aims to prevent frailty in seniors aged 65 and older, reverse its progression, and improve long-term health outcomes.
The programme, which focuses on frailty intervention, community exercise referrals, and medication adjustments, has already helped 3,600 seniors manage frailty. Using simple tests like hand grip strength to assess muscle function, NHG polyclinics have seen positive results, with many patients showing improvements in physical capabilities after receiving interventions.
Frailty is a condition characterized by reduced strength, mobility, and overall health, and is increasingly prevalent among Singapore’s elderly population. As the senior population grows, the need for such interventions will become even more urgent, with projections indicating that 27% of seniors will be frail by 2030.
Retired secretary Doris Yam, 75, is one of the success stories of the programme. After engaging in exercise through the Healthy 365 app and maintaining an active lifestyle, she managed to reverse her frailty score, highlighting the program’s positive impact on seniors’ health.
The Frailty Programme aims to address the growing concern of sarcopenia, the loss of muscle mass and strength, which significantly affects seniors’ ability to perform daily tasks. With this expansion, more seniors will have access to preventive care, improving their quality of life in their later years.
