3 Oct 2015 - Tablets and senior-friendly applications will soon benefit 25 senior activity centres across the island - such as through stimulating mental and physical exercise, as well as memory boosting activities. This was announced by Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for Communications and Information at the opening of the Silver IT Fest.
Singapore, 3 October 2015 | For Immediate Release
Tablets and senior-friendly applications will soon benefit 25 senior activity centres across the island - such as through stimulating mental and physical exercise, as well as memory boosting activities. This was announced by Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for Communications and Information at the opening of the Silver IT Fest.
At the event, Minister Yaacob also revealed about the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Smart Eldercare by IDA, A*STAR, NTUC Health and St Luke’s Eldercare that is to be signed this month. The various parties have agreed to work together to identify challenges faced by seniors and carry out technical trials at identified eldercare facilities.
More than 800 patients have also benefited as a result of the remote patient monitoring trial conducted National University Hospital (NUH) and supported by IDA and Ministry of Health (MOH), over the past year. Patients with health conditions such as hypertension or diabetes are able to check their vital signs in the comfort of their homes. These readings are then transmitted wirelessly to healthcare providers to ensure timely assessment by the hospitals.
Finding out about medical information online is also something that beneficiaries of the Home Access programme can do. So far more than 900 households have benefited from the programme launched last year, and have also been able to make digital calls or surf the Internet.
Minister Yaacob also awarded 20 IT-savvy seniors with the Silver Infocomm Ambassadors Awards for being exemplars of active ageing and their contribution to helping other seniors learn infocomm, especially as Singapore gears up towards becoming the world’s first Smart Nation.
Organised by the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA), in collaboration with Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) as well as industry and community partners, the Silver IT Fest aims to promote IT literacy and enhance the lives of seniors while learning infocomm skills. The IT festival which constitutes seminars, hands-on workshops and exhibitions, includes a wide range of technologies such as augmented reality and 3D printing, smartphone applications and games that promote healthy living.
The week-long event, expected to attract over 8,000 participants, saw intergenerational bonding within families over IT.
To get more information on the various initiatives under the Digital Inclusion programme, please visit www.ida.gov.sg/Individuals-and-Community/Community-Development/
ISSUED BY INFOCOMM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE
Related Resources
- Annex 1: Factsheet for Overview of Digital Inclusion Programme (121.25KB)
- Annex 2: Factsheet for Home Access (163.33KB)
- Annex 3: Factsheet for Silver Infocomm Initiative (285.04KB)
- Annex 4: Factsheet for NEU PC Plus Programme (184.60KB)
- Annex 5: Factsheet for Silver Infocomm Wellness Ambassador 2015 – Wellness Programme (97.12KB)
About Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
The mission of the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) is to develop information technology and telecommunications within Singapore with a view to serve citizens of all ages and companies of all sizes. IDA does this by actively supporting the growth of innovative technology companies and start-ups in Singapore, working with leading global IT companies as well as developing excellent information technology and telecommunications infrastructure, policies and capabilities for Singapore. For more news and information, visit www.ida.gov.sg or follow us on Twitter @IDA_SINGAPORE.
For media clarifications, please contact:
Mehul SHAH (Mr)
Assistant Manager, Corporate & Marketing Communication
Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
Tel: +65 6211 1557
Email: mehul_shah@imda.gov.sg
Malini NATHAN (Ms)
Assistant Director, Corporate & Marketing Communication
Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
Tel: +65 6211 0660
Email: malini_nathan@imda.gov.sg
.webp)