East students in harmony with local care

STORIES UWCSEA

In harmony fostering intergenerational understanding

APEX Harmony Lodge in Pasir Ris has been a home away from home for persons with dementia since 1999, and is Singapore’s first and only purpose built dementia care facility. Since 2011, UWCSEA has supported APEX Harmony in their journey to building inclusive and empowering spaces for persons with dementia. East Campus students provide residents with positive experiences to stimulate their memories through music.

A recent study of the impact of music therapy at the Lodge showed positive results of the service. Through the ‘Music with Reminiscence’ programme, students were trained in the Observed Emotions Rating Scale (OERS) and Personal Enhancers (PEs) and between 2016 and 2018, 33 students applied these skills in their work with 61 residents. The results indicated statistically significant increases in scores of positive emotions for residents. There was also a significant increase in student understanding of people living with dementia and the positive impact of music and personal interactions on elderly people. APEX Harmony Lodge is helming a compassionate, one-of-a-kind dementia care model for their residents, day-care elders and those living with dementia in the community, and UWCSEA is proud to have been part of their growth. We were thrilled that UWCSEA was honoured as an ‘Outstanding Synergistic Partner’ of APEX Harmony Lodge, as they celebrated 20 years of operations in 2019.

In an award ceremony on 21 September, Eivind Lodemel (Head of High School Music, East), who has been leading the music therapy facilitation project, and Rick Hannah (Chair of Service and Sustainable Development) accepted the award on behalf of the College. The award ceremony was graced by President of the Republic of Singapore Madam Halimah Yacob as the Guest-of-Honour.

The service project at APEX Harmony Lodge, is just one example of how our student volunteers are building intergenerational understanding and social relationships in their communities, volunteering their time to create a thriving and inclusive social environment. Read about UWCSEA’s long standing commitment to Service in Singapore