The Intercontinental Alliance for Integrated Care (IAIC), hosted by the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS), launched its first-ever multi-region study on the perceptions of ageing and ageing well on 21 November 2025 in Singapore. The multi-region study — A Study on Perceptions of Ageing and Ageing Well: Exploring Older Adults’ Experiences and Coping Strategies Across Regions — was led by Singapore University of Social Science and co-developed with IAIC members.
The study, which was launched at the Alliance’s annual flagship event IAIC 2025 that brought together partners from across Asia, Europe, and North America, including new members from Estonia, India, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, and Chinese Taipei, to advance new knowledge, partnerships and innovations shaping the future of ageing and integrated care, draws insights from five regions such as Singapore, Canada, Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR and the United Kingdom. The study that places the lived experiences of older people at its core to advance support for them examines how they older adults across different societies understand ageing, navigate later-life transitions and define what it means to age well.
The multi-region study offers a clearer picture of what ageing well means to them and underscores the role of families, communities, and care systems in shaping those experiences. It provides a cross-cultural view of older adults’ aspirations and coping strategies, revealing how social, economic, and policy contexts influence their day-to-day realities. As per the reports of the study, the findings highlight a common theme across regions: ageing is shaped not only by biological changes, but also by social and cultural contexts. A recurring paradox emerges — despite physical decline, many older adults continue to experience purpose, connection, and well-being.
Within this broader landscape, the Singapore chapter adds depth to how these themes manifest locally, drawing on responses from about 1,000 survey respondents and 15 in-depth interviews. The multi-region study reveals several key insights that emerged on how older Singaporeans understand and experience ageing. For instance, women aged 75–84 placed a higher value on family and close relationships than men of the same age bracket, underscoring the central role of social bonds. Staying socially connected helps them remain emotionally engaged and supported by strong community ties. Men, by contrast, are more vulnerable to isolation after retirement, particularly when their identities were closely tied to work.
The study, which is rendered the first of its kind, further highlighted “mastery” — the belief that one can still influence the course of one’s life — as a strong predictor of successful ageing. Older adults with a strong sense of mastery tend to stay socially connected, feel more satisfied, and continue pursuing activities that bring purpose and joy. They remain active not simply because they are physically stronger, but because they believe their actions continue to matter.
Indicating the importance of the multi-region study especially for the Singaporeans, Associate Professor Justina Tan, the Vice President of Strategic Partnership and Engagement at the Singapore University of Social Science and the Principal Investigator for the multi-region study, shared, “As Singapore becomes ‘super-aged’ next year, the multi-region study aims to provide us with invaluable insights to guide more targeted policies and interventions…”.
Mentioning the importance of the research findings for older adults, Associate Professor Justina Tan further says, “…By understanding the unique needs and aspirations of our older adults, we can design programmes that not only preserve autonomy and foster meaningful conversations but also ensure that support is tailored to help every senior thrive in their own way.”
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