Tianjin Visit: A chapter on technology that supports ageing
Shin Min Daily News, 天津之旅：科技助老篇
(Translation)
As I left the wellness and eldercare community in Tianjin, the melody played by a senior on an electronic keyboard still echoed in my ears. He had just tried the AI cognitive game we designed; his face lit with a confident and satisfied smile. It also led me to reflect on a deeper question: why did this place feel so special? And could such a model of eldercare work in Singapore?
I have visited many eldercare institutions in the past. Some were well equipped, but the atmosphere felt subdued. The seniors there appeared to be “taken care of,” yet lacked vitality. In contrast, the seniors in this wellness community were clearly full of life. Calligraphy and Chinese ink paintings created by residents lined the corridors; in the activity rooms, people sang, played chess, and chatted. Care staff greeted a senior warmly: “Aunty Wang, did you sleep well last night?” This was not a perfunctory exchange, but genuine concern.
Quality eldercare is not just about providing medical support. It also addresses a person’s dignity, emotional well-being, and social needs. Care here was meticulous: the environment was clean, meals were healthy, and assistance with daily activities respected each senior’s pace—no rushing, no intrusion, but companionship and understanding. As a result, seniors felt safe and dignified. Research shows that social engagement helps slow cognitive decline and reduce the risk of depression.
One elderly gentleman proudly showed us the Heart Sutra he had written in gold ink and even played the keyboard for us. He said, “This cultivates the mind as well as the body.” Here, hobbies were not mere pastimes; they were part of one’s identity.
That said, even with strong overall care, I noticed one area that could be strengthened: the systematic delivery of cognitive intervention. While activities were plentiful, the community lacked structured, scientifically designed cognitive programmes, as well as consistent tracking and evaluation of outcomes, making their effectiveness hard to measure.
This is where the AI system we piloted in Tianjin—comprising memory games, chatbots, and interactive tracking—proved valuable. It bridges this gap by combining cognitive science with game-based design. Through interactive games and guided conversations, it stimulates mental processes such as working memory, verbal fluency, and attention. The system also records participation and performance, enabling caregivers to monitor changes and provide more personalised support. What it offers is not just companionship, but genuine cognitive training.
In the Tianjin pilot, this AI system was warmly received. Seniors described it as being like a curious child—chatting with them while encouraging them to think. AI did not replace caregivers; instead, it helped them work more effectively, freeing up time for meaningful human interaction. AI cannot hug or comfort someone, but it can create space for truly human-centred care. Rather than replacing people, AI became part of the care team, strengthening rather than diminishing human connection.
As Singapore moves towards a “super-ageing” society, future eldercare must remain people-centred while making thoughtful use of technology. Thinking back to my earlier account of Mr and Mrs Tian making tea, playing music, and laughing over AI games, they were not merely “being cared for”—they were continuing to live their lives. May such later years not be the exception, but the norm; and may longevity be accompanied by richness and meaning in life.
