The National Library Board’s (NLB) signature Time of Your Life (TOYL) Celebration is back for its 13th edition (2023) with new resources and more than 80 programmes islandwide, including learning journeys, health and wellness workshops, and a talent showcase.
In line with the Ministry of Health’s strategies on preventive care and successful ageing, this year’s event celebrates seniors, and encourages active ageing and lifelong learning.
This year’s TOYL Celebration, themed “Ageless Creativity, Golden Opportunities”, will offer a mix of in-person, online and hybrid programmes to cater to more seniors.
NLB has organised the TOYL Celebration since 2011, with programmes and resources encouraging lifelong learning for everyone aged 50 and above.
This year’s edition marks the third time since 2020 that NLB and the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) have come together.
The Celebration has kicked off with a series of pre-events from 1 Oct 2023 leading up to the official launch today, with free programmes until 31 Oct 2023, and Minister for Health, Mr Ong Ye Kung, who graced the launch as Guest-of-Honour.
Earlier this month, seniors went on learning journeys within the community, where they got to visit organisations such as the Parkinson Society Singapore and SG Assist, a senior and caregiver Resource Centre, to meet professionals there to understand the work they do, and learn more about long-term care options.
Seniors and their caregivers can look forward to health and wellness programmes like yoga for caregivers, and masterclasses on those topics at Tan Tock Seng Hospital.
SUSS has been working with the National Archives of Singapore (NAS), which is part of NLB, on various projects to promote health and well-being among older adults, including Reminiscence in Dementia care, Reminiscence library and Reminiscence facilitation training. Studies have found that reminiscing about the past can significantly increase blood flow to the brain, potentially up to 80 times.
Reminiscence holds promise in easing symptoms of depression and slowing the progression of dementia and cognitive functioning.
NLB and SUSS also unveiled a new intergenerational reminiscence game, “Come! Let’s Chat” (CLC) today.
Developed using curated visuals of past and present-day Singapore, including archival content from NAS, the game leverages the power of reminiscence to promote psychological well-being, self-esteem and happiness for seniors.
SUSS, with support from The Ngee Ann Kongsi, is pleased to partner with the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) to offer the new online learning module, “An Introduction to Reminiscence Facilitation: Enhancing Wellbeing in Older Adults”, for Community Care staff. This module offered by SUSS will equip staff with reminiscence facilitation skills to serve the Community Care sector.
As part of the TOYL Celebration, the organisers are proud to invite Mr Tomohisa Komura, Chief Manager of Japanese Broadcasting Corporation, Nippon Hoso Kyokai (NHK) to speak about the NHK Reminiscence Library, a pioneer in Asia on the use of a reminiscence library as a form of therapy for Japanese seniors in eldercare homes.
Another guest speaker, Mrs Rebecca Choy Yung, Founder and Chair of Golden Age Foundation (GAF) in Hong Kong, will highlight GAF’s work on smart ageing and empowering people aged 45 and above to solve social problems.