Behaviour change programmes needed to promote healthy ageing

THE 2025 National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) reported that 85.3% of our elderly citizens are not ageing healthily. Out of the 7,528 senior citizens (aged 60 and above) surveyed, only 14.7% said they were enjoying their golden years in accordance with the established criteria of “healthy ageing” (“Ageing, but not well”; The Star, April 21).

Healthy ageing is defined as elderly citizens having strong social support, do not suffer from chronic non-communicable diseases and cognitive impairment such as dementia or stroke, and are able to perform their daily activities independently.