Creates engaging, inclusive and effective learning experiences for seniors and fosters lifelong learning and volunteerism.

 

The Council for Third Age (C3A), the agency that promotes active ageing through lifelong learning, senior volunteerism and positive ageing, has launched a new Singapore Standard 693 geragogy guidelines on training senior learners (SS 693). This sets a benchmark for trainers and industry partners, empowering them to create engaging, inclusive and effective learning experiences for seniors, while fostering lifelong learning and volunteerism.

This follows its development of the geragogy guidelines in 2021, which empower stakeholders, including trainers and industry partners, with the right skills, resources and mindsets to make learning interesting, engaging and inclusive for seniors.

SS 693 encompasses best practices and strategies that address senior learners’ unique challenges and characteristics in physical and online learning environments. Key features include strategies for understanding and overcoming senior learners’ challenges, techniques for adapting to their specific learning characteristics, and guidelines for effective online engagements. The standard also includes an informative infographic summary of the geragogy guidelines.

During the launch event, Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung attended to witness the Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) partnerships between C3A and seven organisations, aimed at co-driving the advancement of geragogy. The seven organisations include: Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital, Loving Heart Multi-service Centre, RSVP Singapore, Fei Yue Community Services, Gardens by the Bay, the Agency for Integrated Care and Montfort Care.

By incorporating the recommendations outlined in SS 693, these industries can enhance interactions with seniors, fostering a positive and inclusive environment. The partnerships will focus on elevating senior engagement and learning standards through joint planning and organising the ‘Introduction to Geragogy Guidelines’ workshops. Based on the train-the-trainer model, these workshops will involve trainers from partner organisations, including employees, volunteers and staff, equipping them with the necessary knowledge and skills to integrate learning and volunteerism seamlessly.

By implementing this approach, the aim is to empower seniors to become volunteer trainers themselves, fostering a sustainable ecosystem of knowledge-sharing among seniors. This interconnectedness between learning and volunteerism will enable seniors to not only enhance their own learning but also contribute as valuable mentors and facilitators in their communities.

The MoUs are expected to facilitate over 8,500 committed placements within the next three years.