New active ageing centre in Jurong West welcomes those in their 40s

Goal is to urge these 'younger seniors' to eat healthy and stay active to avoid getting frail

- Zhaki Abdullah Correspondent

Health Minister Ong Ye Kung (centre), accompanied by (from left) MP for West Coast-Jurong West GRC (Nanyang) Ang Wei Neng and Tzu-Chi Foundation (Singapore) CEO Low Swee Seh, visiting the cafe and food lab at the new Glow active ageing centre, during its opening at 706 Jurong West Street 71 on Nov 15.

(ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM)

While active ageing centres typically cater to seniors aged 60 and above, a new centre in Jurong West aims to flip the script by opening some programmes to people in their 40s to introduce them early to the concept of active ageing.

At the new Glow (Nanyang), operated by Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu-Chi Foundation (Singapore), the Longevity Courtyard - a wellness studio created together with fitness equipment provider Hur Solutions - features not just senior-friendly gym equipment, but also battle ropes and a boxing machine for younger users.

About 30 per cent of the studio's capacity is also set aside for those in their 40s to train and bond with their parents, said Mr Lee Weng Foo, acting community care manager at Tzu-Chi.

People in this age group often first step into such centres for the first time when accompanying their elderly parents, he noted, describing this as the perfect opportunity to introduce them to the concept of active ageing early.