# Active Aging through rehabilitation: Lessons from Singapore and Finland > Active Aging and Rehabilitation: Insights from Singapore and Finland. ## Project Background This article is part of a blog series related to the Global and Sustainable Health (GOSH) project, funded by the Finnish National Agency for Education (TFK). The project has involved collaboration between four universities of applied sciences: * Turku UAS * JAMK * Singapore Institute of Technology: University of Applied Sciences * Savonia UAS Together, they have developed a 5-credit study module titled Global and Sustainable Health. The course explores its main themes from the perspective of rehabilitation. It included an intensive week, which in autumn 2025 was held in Singapore. The blog articles describe students’ learning experiences, perspectives, and reflections during the intensive week. ## Reflections on Active Aging This blog post was inspired by a visit to an elderly care centre in Singapore during the intensive week of the Global and Sustainable Health course. At Andrew’s Senior Care, we met older adults who participated in both structured rehabilitation and social day activities. The experience sparked reflections on how physiotherapy, rehabilitation and community engagement can promote active aging—a concept that lies at the heart of sustainable health and wellbeing in an aging world. ## Defining Active Aging and Rehabilitation Population aging is one of the most significant global transformations of our century. According to Kirkwood and Austad (2000), aging is “the progressive loss of function accompanied by decreasing fertility and increasing mortality with advancing age.” * **Active aging** is about participation, purpose and empowerment. It reflects the ability of older people to continue engaging physically, socially and mentally in ways that enhance wellbeing and independence. * **Rehabilitation**, as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO 2024), is “a set of interventions designed to optimize functioning and reduce disability in individuals with health conditions in interaction with their environment.” Physiotherapy plays a central role in supporting active aging through individualized exercise programs, balance and strength training, and health education. ## Observations from Singapore At Andrew’s Senior Care in Singapore, rehabilitation and social engagement were seamlessly combined. The centre was divided into two areas: one for physical rehabilitation and one focused on active aging activities. What stood out most was the strong presence of volunteers who were not necessarily trained health professionals. This community-driven model reflects a collective approach to care that values social inclusion and shared responsibility for wellbeing. In Finland, such volunteer-based activity would be more difficult to organize, as most day centres require licensed healthcare personnel. ## The Finnish Context: Challenges and Opportunities In Finland, national health and ageing policies emphasize "ageing in place"—the idea that older people should be able to live at home safely and independently for as long as possible. While the goal aligns with sustainability principles, there are clear challenges: * Fewer people receive regular home care. * Many caregivers are themselves over 65. * Digital services risk excluding older adults who are less technologically skilled. * Municipal funding for day centres and group activities has been repeatedly reduced. To move forward, Finland must invest more consistently in accessible, community-based rehabilitation and physical activity programs and perhaps take inspiration from the participatory and volunteer-oriented approach observed in Singapore. ## Sustainability and Future Outlook Sustainability in healthcare extends to the environment. Singapore’s elderly-friendly exercise parks are excellent examples of integrating human health with environmental health by promoting outdoor physical activity and designing accessible green spaces. Aging is inevitable, but decline is not. By promoting active lifestyles, community participation and lifelong rehabilitation, societies can empower older adults to live meaningful, independent and connected lives. ## Key Definitions * **Active aging:** The process of optimizing opportunities for health, participation, and security to enhance quality of life as people age. * **Rehabilitation:** Interventions that optimize functioning and reduce disability through interaction with one’s environment (WHO, 2024). * **Sustainable health:** Health promotion that meets current needs without compromising future generations’ wellbeing (Sustainable Development, 2024). * **Ageing in place:** The policy goal of enabling older adults to live at home safely and independently for as long as possible (Sainio et al., 2025). ## Authors * **Merja Seppänen:** Physiotherapist, Master of Rehabilitation (student), Finland * **Marja Äijö:** PT, PhD, Principal Lecturer of gerontology and rehabilitation, Savonia, University of Applied Sciences, Kuopio, Finland. ## References * Kirkwood, T. B. L., & Austad, S. N. (2000). Why do we age? Nature, 408: 233–238. Edunia-platform. 21.10.2025. * Padhy, G. K., & Raj, J. O. (2021). Environmental Physiotherapy and Global Issues. International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology, 6(10), 987–990. Edunia-platform. 21.10.2025. * Sainio, P., Holm, M., Hammar, T., Ilmarinen, K., Pennanen, M., A-M., Aalto, Sääksjärvi, K. & Koskinen, S. (2025). Iäkkäiden koettu toimintakyky ja avuntarve Suomessa – Terve Suomi -tutkimuksen tuloksia. Gerontologia 39(3), 2025. 159957-Artikkelin teksti-424686-1-10-20250925.pdf. 21.10.2025. * Seppänen, Merja 2025. The intensive week at the Singapore Institute of Technology provided a good opportunity to compare health strategies between countries. Picture. 17.10.2025. Singapore. * Sustainable Development. (2024). International Institute for Sustainable Development. Edunia-platform. 21.10.2025. * World Health Organization (WHO). (2024). Rehabilitation. Edunia-platform. 21.10.2025.