This exploratory applied case study focused on an emergent conceptual framework for the practice of sustainable gerontology in a Singapore healthcare group. It explored how older adults could contribute to environmentally sustainable practices through mirroring familiar hospital routines like infection control, and the possibility of integration with other activities for inter-generational engagements. Singapore Health Services (SingHealth) piloted the eco-checker initiative in 2024 at SingHealth Community Hospitals (Outram and Sengkang) and spread to its 12 healthcare institutions (hospitals, national speciality centres and polyclinics) through 18 checks in two years. More than 60 staff including aged 50 years and above or 'young seniors' in Singapore following the definition in 'Majulah package' introduced by the Singapore government in 2024, participated and highlighted common findings relating to energy and waste management in different workspaces. For familiarity, this eco-checker was intentional designed as a mirror of the ubiquitous cross-institutional infection control audits; and for programme sustainability, this activity aimed to enable more intergenerational and cross-sectional community engagements between healthcare workers, union, and university students as next steps. There are practice implications to sustainable gerontology through such ground-up culture building habit-forming environmental sustainability initiative with intergenerational engagements. This case study thus presented a new perspective relating to the practice of sustainable gerontology, through inter-generational active aging activity for the environment and community.

Authors:
Tai Kiat Tan, SingHealth (Singapore Health Services), Singapore

About the Presenter(s)
Dr Tan Tai Kiat is also SingHealth Faculty with Singapore Management University and Duke-NUS (National University of Singapore). His research interests are in caregiving, environmental sustainability, and sustainable gerontology.

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tantaikiat

See this presentation on the full schedule – Wednesday Schedule

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