My Experience at an Active Ageing Centre: Rediscovering the Colours of Life
This is a translation of a Chinese writeup contributed by Mdm Quek Ee Tin (below in photo). Scroll down to the next section to read the original text.
New Possibilities Over Coffee: Discovering St Luke’s ElderCare (SLEC)
On an afternoon in Singapore, the sky looked as though it had been randomly brushed with strokes of watercolour, wavering between light and dark. After finishing my dancing, I wiped the perspiration from my forehead, looked at the darkening sky, and decided to take a break at a hawker centre. Just as I took a seat, I heard the sound of heavy rain pouring down, and the rain enveloped the entire hawker centre. At that moment, my good friend, Hui Qing, who had danced with me, also walked in, seeking shelter.
“One cup of coffee to warm me up!” Hui Qing said with a smile, while waving at the stall owner. The warm aroma of coffee felt especially comforting amidst the sound of the rain. Hui Qing’s eyes sparkled, and with childlike excitement, she began sharing her daily activities with me. “Besides dancing in the public square, I also take part in other activities at the Active Ageing Centre (Care)! The most interesting one is the Drum Fit class…” Her words piqued my curiosity, sparking a sense of anticipation in me, an ‘old granny’ in my 80s.
“Would you like to try it out with me?” Hui Qing invited enthusiastically. I looked at the rain that was starting to subside, smiled, and nodded. Perhaps it was this casual decision that unexpectedly added a touch of colour to my peaceful later years.
A Leap into New Experiences: Drumming Up Confidence and Friendships
On Thursday morning, the sun gently bathed the building of Ayer Rajah Community Club. With Hui Qing leading the way, we arrived at a classroom on the second floor of a building. As we opened the door, we were greeted by cheerful voices and laughter, like a spring breeze. A dozen seniors were sitting together, chatting and laughing. “This is an Active Ageing Centre (Care) by St Luke’s ElderCare,” Hui Qing introduced. I silently noted the name in my mind, though I still felt a little unsure.
As we approached the front desk, a young man in a neat uniform greeted me with a warm smile. “Hello, I’m Kwok Siang Kwang.” His gentle and polite voice instantly made me feel at ease. Under his patient guidance, I completed the registration process, and the uneasiness in my heart faded away.
When the drumming class began, the instructor, Gabriel Kho, immediately captured everyone’s attention. He was tall, carried himself with good posture, and always had a warm smile on his face. “Hello, aunties! Today, we’ll be learning the basic rhythms,” his voice was engaging, like a soft breeze, filling every corner of the classroom.
Mdm Quek and her Drum Fit class instructor, Gabriel Kho
Under Gabriel’s instruction, holding the drumsticks for the first time made me feel both nervous and excited. He patiently taught us how to grip the sticks and demonstrated the proper way to strike the drum. “Don’t be afraid,” he smiled, “Just follow the rhythm and imagine you’re having a conversation with the drum.” His encouraging guidance made me, a beginner, quickly fall in love with the feeling of drumming.
Living Life Fully: The Unexpected Joys of Senior Life
As the lessons progressed, our activity space shifted to Galilee Hall. At first, I thought this was a church activity, but by the third class, I realised that it was all part of the Ministry of Health’s “Active Ageing Centre” initiative. This discovery deepened my understanding of the initiative—it’s not just simple entertainment, but a well-designed programme aimed at helping us seniors maintain our physical and mental vitality.
Beyond drumming, another activity that left a deep impression on me was our visit to River Wonders. That day, Amy Lee, like a dedicated tour guide, led us in exploring this world of nature. Watching the adorable pandas frolicking in the bamboo, the graceful manatees swimming through the water, and the impressive giant catfish from the Mekong River, it felt as if we had returned to our childhood, our faces filled with innocent smiles.
Encouraged by the centre, I even performed twice on stage! I remember the first time I stepped onto the stage, my palms were sweaty, and I was scared of missing the rhythm. But when the music began, I found myself able to naturally follow the beat, as if a long-dormant sense of rhythm had been awakened within me. Every drumbeat made me feel the pulse of life; every note told the story of the joy of our age.
Gabriel, Siang Kwang, and Amy are like three warm rays of sunshine at the Active Ageing Centre (Care). Gabriel is not only a professional instructor but also our source of joy. He always knows how to make us laugh with his playful words and offers just the right encouragement when we’re lacking confidence. Siang Kwang’s attentiveness and patience make every senior who visits the centre feel truly cared for. Amy is like a thoughtful daughter, always looking out for our needs with quiet dedication.
Recently, I heard that Gabriel had received the Core Values Award from SLEC for his compassion, teamwork, and holistic excellence—the best recognition of his selfless dedication. Amy also won a Silver Award at the Singapore Health Quality Service Awards 2025, which fills us seniors with pride. Their achievements are not only personal honours but also a recognition of the spirit of service at the centre.
Now, every time I step into the Active Ageing Centre (Care), I feel a special warmth. It’s not just an activity space; it’s a harbour where we can reignite our passion for life. Here, I have learned to stay curious in my later years and embrace new experiences with courage. Every drumbeat reminds me that the symphony of life never stops because of age. As long as we are willing, we can create our own beautiful melody.
At this centre, I have rediscovered the colours of life, met kindred spirits, and rediscovered myself—turns out, at over eighty, I can still live such a vibrant and fulfilling life. Many thanks to the staff at the centre, for bringing unexpected joy to my golden years.
Mdm Quek (left) and her friend, Hui Qing (right), who introduced her to St Luke’s ElderCare Active Ageing Centre (Care) @ Ayer Rajah
About the Contributor:
For Mdm Quek Ee Tin, 82, writing started as a way to earn some extra income. Now, she writes simply because she loves to. “Sometimes, my hands just get ‘itchy’ to write,” she says.
Having spent years working as a kindergarten teacher, then working at a community centre, she enjoys being part of an active community. Since 2024, she has been a familiar face at SLEC Active Ageing Centre (Care) @ Ayer Rajah.
Original writeup by Mdm Quek Ee Tin
重遇生命的色彩：我的乐龄中心故事
探讨新机遇：发现圣路加乐龄关怀 (SLEC)
新加坡的午后，天空像是被人随意涂抹了几笔水彩，忽明忽暗。那天跳完广场舞，我擦着额头的汗珠，望着渐沉的天色，决定去小贩中心歇歇脚。刚坐定，就听见哗啦啦的雨声倾泻而下，雨帘将整个小贩中心笼罩其中。此时，和我一起跳舞的忘年好友惠卿也寻着遮蔽走了进来。
“来杯咖啡暖暖身子吧！”惠卿笑着说，一边招呼档主。热腾腾的咖啡香气在雨声中格外温馨。惠卿的眼睛闪着光，像个孩子般兴奋地跟我分享她每天的活动安排。”除了跳广场舞，我还参加活跃乐龄护理中心的其他活动呢！最有意思的是打鼓课…”她的话勾起了我的好奇心，让我这个八十多岁的”老奶奶”心中突然涌起一股期待。
“要不要一起来试试看？”惠卿热情地邀约。我望着窗外渐歇的雨，笑着点头答应。或许正是这个不经意的决定，为我平静的晚年生活注入了一抹意想不到的色彩。
跃入新体验：敲响自信与友谊的节拍
星期四的早晨，阳光温柔地洒在Ayer Rajah CC的建筑上。在惠卿的带领下，我们来到二楼的课室。推开门的一刹那，欢声笑语如春风拂面。十几位白发苍苍的老人家正围坐在一起，有说有笑。”这里是圣路加关怀活跃乐龄护理中心，”惠卿介绍道。我心里默默记下这个名字，却对它的性质还有些疑惑。
走到前台时，一位身着整洁制服的年轻人用温暖的笑容迎接了我。”您好，我是郭祥光。”他的声音温和有礼，让人瞬间感到亲切。在他耐心的指引下，我完成了登记手续，心中的不安也随之消散。
打鼓课开始时，指导员许志辉的出场立刻吸引了所有人的目光。他身材挺拔，脸上始终挂着温和的微笑。”各位阿姨好！今天我们要学习的是最基本的节奏型。”他的声音充满感染力，像一缕春风，轻轻拂过教室的每个角落。
在志辉的指导下，我第一次握住鼓棒的感觉既紧张又兴奋。他耐心地教我们调整握棒的姿势，示范如何用正确的力度敲击鼓面。”别害怕，”他微笑着说，”跟着音乐的节奏来，想象自己在跟鼓说话。”这种贴心的引导，让我这个初学者很快就爱上了打鼓的感觉。
充实人生：老年生活中的意外喜悦
随着课程的深入，我们的活动场地转移到了加利利堂。起初我以为这是教堂的活动，直到第三堂课才恍然大悟：原来这一切都是卫生部”活跃乐龄中心”计划的一部分。这个发现让我对这个项目有了更深的认识——它不仅仅是简单的娱乐活动，更是一个精心设计的计划，旨在帮助我们这些年长者保持身心活力。
特别让我印象深刻的是那次河川生态园之旅。那天，Amy美燕像个尽职的导游，带领我们探索这片神奇的自然天地。看着憨态可掬的大熊猫在竹林间嬉戏，优雅的海牛在水中悠游，还有那些体型惊人的湄公河大鲶鱼，我们仿佛回到了童年时代，脸上洋溢着纯真的笑容。
在中心的鼓励下，我居然还两次登台表演！还记得第一次上台时，我的手心全是汗，生怕记错节奏。但当音乐响起，我发现自己竟然能够自然地跟上节拍，仿佛身体里有一个沉睡已久的节奏感被唤醒了。每一次击鼓，都让我感受到生命的律动；每一个音符，都在诉说着属于我们这个年纪的欢乐。
志辉、祥光和Amy美燕就像这个中心的三束温暖阳光。志辉不仅是一位专业的指导员，更像是我们的开心果。他总能用俏皮的话语逗我们开心，在我们信心不足时送上恰到好处的鼓励。祥光的细心和耐心，让每一位来到中心的老人都倍感温暖。而美燕则像个贴心的女儿，总是默默关注着我们的需要。
最近听说志辉因其恻隐之心、团队合作和全面卓越，获得了SLEC的奖项。这些奖项是对他无私奉献的最好认可。而美燕也在”新保集团医疗服务奖2025″中荣获银奖，这让我们这些老人家与有荣焉。他们的成就不仅是个人的荣誉，更是对整个中心服务精神的褒奖。
现在的我，每次走进活跃乐龄护理中心，都会感受到一种特别的温暖。这里不只是一个活动场所，更是一个让我们重拾生活热情的港湾。在这里，我学会了在人生的晚年依然保持好奇心，勇于尝试新事物。每一次击鼓的节奏，都在提醒我：生命的乐章永远不会因为年龄而停止，只要我们愿意，就能谱写出属于自己的美妙旋律。
在这里，我找到了生命新的色彩，遇见了一群温暖的灵魂，也重新认识了自己——原来八十多岁的我，依然可以活出如此丰富多彩的人生。感谢活跃乐龄护理中心，让我的晚年生活绽放出意想不到的精彩。
关于作者:
对于82岁的郭圆珍女士来说，写作最初是一种赚取额外收入的方式。如今，她写作纯粹是出于热爱。她笑着说 “有时候，我的手就是‘痒’得想写。” 她曾多年担任幼儿园教师，随后在社区中心工作，一直喜欢融入活跃的社群。自2024年以来，她已成为亚逸拉惹活跃乐龄护理中心的熟悉面孔。
