Speech by Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Health at the launch of HPB's "You Can Get Moving" Exercise Campaign

Ms Teoh Zsin Woon, Deputy Secretary of MOH,

Mr Zee Yoong Kang, Chief Executive of the Health Promotion Board,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning to all!

大家早上好！非常高兴可以出席由保健促进局举办的开幕典礼。

为了要鼓励乐龄人士保持活跃，保健促进局推出了第二系列的乐龄健身操运动“7项椅上健身操”。

这项健身操能帮助乐龄人士，包括行动不便的年长者，增强体力、平衡能力和灵活度。

乐龄人士和家人可以一起观看视频、一起做运动，保持活跃的生活。

        A very good morning to everyone. I am very happy to be here today at the launch of the “You Can Get Moving” Exercise Campaign launched by the Health Promotion Board (HPB).

ACTION PLAN FOR SUCCESSFUL AGEING

2       Singapore’s population is ageing rapidly. By 2030, one in four Singaporeans will be 65 years or older compared to about one in seven today. 

3       Under the Action Plan for Successful Ageing, a key thrust is to promote health and wellness among the elderly so that they can enjoy longer quality lives – so you can live longer and age well by keeping in good health. There are a few key ways that we are promoting health and wellness under the Action Plan. First of all we are integrating care within the community through “Active Ageing Hubs”. These are one-stop day centres for seniors for both active and frail seniors – from active ageing services for ambulant seniors, to day care, rehabilitation and assisted living services for frailer seniors.  The first Active Ageing Hub will be opening at Kallang Whampoa, operated by Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital. 

4       Secondly, we are bringing preventive health services to the community, to make it easier for the elderly to stay physically active and healthy. We promote exercise, social interaction and health screening for the elderly. HPB is working with People’s Association, VWOs, and community organisations to bring these services to the elderly such as in the community centres and other social community spaces which are easily accessible by seniors. Seniors can get their health screened and also make new friends.

5       We are actively promoting health literacy to get seniors to understand better how to keep healthy. Last year, we launched campaigns to teach seniors good nutrition, how to prevent falls through exercises and making sure that you wear proper footwear, and educate the public on how to recognise a stroke to ensure timely treatment.  

 “YOU CAN GET MOVING” EXERCISE CAMPAIGN

6       Today, we are launching our second Exercise Campaign, “You Can Get Moving”.  The campaign aims to bring across the message that exercise is for everyone – that all seniors, even those with limited mobility, on wheelchair or more frail, can still do some exercise.  Everyone can and should exercise.

7       As part of the campaign, we are introducing a special set of 7 Sit-Down Exercises which focus on building the upper body strength in our arms, shoulders, chest and back. 

8           We are going to publicise this in the community – in the Community Centres, Residents’ Corners and Senior Activity Centres. We also have a video for you to download and watch. The video contains instructions on how each of the 7 Sit-Down Exercises should be done. Seniors and their family members can watch and participate in the exercises together.

CONCLUSION

9           We hope that you remember that health is wealth. Try out these exercises and take small steps towards keeping active and healthy to live a healthy life even as you age. And to make full use of the many opportunities that we provide to lead a healthy and active life. We wish you a happy and healthy Sunday!  

10         Thank you.