Game On

A New Chapter

Mdm Gwen, 85, never grew up with the internet or mobile devices, let alone online gaming. Decades later, she's playing for the first time — but this time for her health. For years, the narrative has been consistent: gaming is indulgent at best, harmful at worst. So why is SingHealth getting seniors to play? As part of a six-month programme, Mdm Gwen joins other seniors in tapping, swiping and matching colours on a tablet-based game called SilverPad. Each round tracks her focus and memory — turning play into prevention.

“I look forward to the sessions. They help me stay active… and I enjoy how the activities encourage active thinking and spark my creativity.”

Done right, gaming isn’t an escape, but an intervention — not a distraction, but a defence against cognitive decline. Like muscles, the brain needs regular exercise. Simple, repeated mental challenges can help maintain function and slow deterioration.

Why Early Intervention Matters Now

1 in 0

People aged 60+ may have dementia in Singapore

0 by 2030

Projected number of people living with dementia

Quick Challenge

Can you remember what you just saw?

Match pairs of cards by remembering their locations.

How the Games Train the Brain

Different games target different cognitive skills - from memory to decision-making.

Memory & Recall

Strengthens short-term memory and the ability to remember and retrieve information.

Real-life benefit:

Supports remembering names, daily tasks and grocery items.

Attention & Focus

Trains concentration and filters distractions.

Real-life benefit:

Improves focus in stimulating environments.

Speed & Reaction

Improves processing speed and reaction time through timed challenges.

Real-life benefit:

Supports faster responses in day-to-day situations.

Planning & Reasoning

Builds problem-solving, decision-making and logical thinking skills.

Real-life benefit:

Helps with budgeting, planning routes and everyday decisions.

From Concept to Clinic

In response, SingHealth is turning research into real-world action.

Early Detection>

SingHealth Polyclinics has adopted Virtual Reality (VR) to detect pre-dementia using gamified, realistic scenarios. As shown in the video below, the programme is set in familiar environments such as a HDB flat and a supermarket. Seniors wear a VR headset and complete 13 everyday tasks — from buttering bread to calculating fruit prices and selecting banknotes — designed to test memory, attention, decision-making and processing speed. These immersive scenarios help clinicians pinpoint early cognitive concerns more accurately and intervene sooner.

Built Around Real Needs>

Over the past decade, SingHealth has explored how games — when carefully designed and clinically structured — can support cognitive health. At Redhill Active Ageing Centre, a group of 60 seniors gather weekly to play on specially designed, elder-friendly tablets. For example, games like Match It are tweaked such that the time given to remember 10 pairs of pictures is extended from 5 seconds to 20 seconds. For Whack A Frog, the levels of difficulty increase gradually with additional rounds. These subtle refinements are intentionally designed for seniors who may be put off by keyboards and tiny screens. With large buttons, clear instructions, multiple language options (English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil), and ad-free games grounded in local contexts, they become more appealing to the seniors. Technology here is not flashy; it is human-centred and carefully calibrated for ageing minds.

Prevention & Strengthening

About 800 seniors with mild or no cognitive impairment and their caregivers are expected to benefit from a dementia prevention community programme that will be rolled out to 14 Active Ageing Centres (AACs) by 2029. These selected seniors will receive personalised health coaching to manage dementia risk factors like diet, exercise, stress management and sleep, and have structured physical and cognitive activity sessions at AACs.

The first 24-week pilot at NTUC Health Active Ageing Centre @Redhill recently concluded in February 2026, facilitated by CREST from NTUC Health, with approximately 470 seniors expected to participate by September 2028. Youth volunteers from Youth Corps Singapore were brought in to guide seniors through the games. Through this, social interaction became another unexpected central pillar, bridging generational divides.

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GAME ON

A New Chapter

A New Chapter

Why Early Intervention Matters Now

Can you remember what you just saw?

How the Games Train the Brain

From Concept to Clinic

In response, SingHealth is turning research into real-world action.

Prevention & Strengthening

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