GERI at the Singapore Health and Biomedical Congress (SHBC) 2026

As healthcare systems grapple with ageing populations, the focus is shifting from how long people live to how well they live. The Singapore Health and Biomedical Congress 2026 (SHBC 2026) brought together healthcare professionals to examine how systems, technologies, and care models can be transformed to support this shift. GERI researchers contributed findings from two studies.

Tang Jia Ying, Research Officer, presented findings from GERI’s HELLO study, which explored the lived experiences of older adults with hearing loss in relation to social connection. Conducted with support from Lions Befrienders, The Singapore Association for the Deaf and Fei Yue Community Services, the study found that hearing loss was often identified by others, with external nudges playing a key role in help-seeking. Care journeys were frequently fragmented, underscoring the need for structured hearing care pathways, active follow-up, and greater awareness.

Dr Jonathan Gao, Research Fellow, presented on IMPACTFrail, a programme based on the World Health Organization's Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE) framework to detect and manage intrinsic capacity. Co-developed with five polyclinics across three Regional Health Systems, the study examined the programme’s implementation, delivery of core components and implementation strategies, experiences of healthcare workers and older adults, and resourcing. Insights will inform IMPACTFrail’s future scaling and continuation in Singapore’s primary care settings.

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