World · Singapore Bureau
Singapore launches massive senior volunteer scheme with stipends
A new initiative aims to engage up to 700,000 older adults in Singapore as volunteers supporting their peers, addressing challenges posed by rapid population aging. The Age Well Kakis programme offers financial incentives to encourage seniors to provide mutual support within their communities.
LSN Singapore ·
Singapore is rolling out an ambitious volunteer programme designed to mobilise its growing elderly population to care for one another. The Age Well Kakis initiative, which translates to "growing old with friends" in Malay, offers stipends to incentivise seniors to take active roles in supporting their peers across the city-state.
The scheme represents a strategic response to Singapore's demographic shift towards a super-aged society, where an increasing proportion of the population is entering retirement years. Officials view the programme as a way to foster community bonds while addressing the practical support needs of older residents who may otherwise face isolation or inadequate care.
With capacity for up to 700,000 volunteering opportunities, the initiative underscores Singapore's effort to create sustainable models of elder care that leverage the skills and experience of seniors themselves. By providing financial compensation, the programme aims to make volunteering a viable contribution to participants' livelihoods while building a culture of mutual aid among older adults.
The launch reflects broader policy recognition that traditional care infrastructure alone may be insufficient to meet demand as the elderly population expands. By positioning seniors as active contributors rather than passive recipients of services, the scheme seeks to enhance both individual well-being and community resilience.