Students from 5 polytechnics to help seniors under pact with care agency

Students from five polytechnics are set to get more hands-on experience in helping seniors age better in the community after their schools signed agreements with the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC).

- Lee Li Ying

Nanyang Polytechnic, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Republic Polytechnic, Singapore Polytechnic and Temasek Polytechnic signed memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with AIC on Nov 27.

The event was held at eldercare centre Tzu Chi Seniors Engagement and Enabling Node (Nanyang) in Jurong West.

Under the MOUs, AIC will make volunteering opportunities in community care settings available to students across different specialisations and years of study.

The students will be able to get experience at active ageing centres and participate in the Silver Generation Ambassador (SGA) programme, where they will visit seniors in their homes.

Mr Sng Hock Lin, chief of the Silver Generation Office, which oversees the SGA programme, said AIC worked with the five tertiary institutions to integrate the volunteering opportunities for students in different formats and settings.

A six-month pilot began in July and involved 60 students from the five schools.