In less than two weeks it is time to travel to Singapore for the annual World Ageing Festival by Ageing Asia. This year’s theme “Age of Longevity: Living Healthier Living Happier” is almost like our own motto, “Stronger, Healthier, Happier”, and we could not be more excited to be part of this wonderful conference again!
The 16th Ageing Asia Innovation Forum (AAIF) is held on 8 – 9 April 2025 at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore. The event is a combination of multiple events; in conjunction with the main conference is the 13th Asia Pacific Eldercare Innovation Awards and the Ageing Asia Innovation Exhibition, as well as a policy roundtable and care leadership training.
This year’s conference will focus on the global health longevity trend, a topic that we have been discussing in our blogs for quite some time. When we think about care and ageing well, we are shifting from care delivery to improving quality of life for older people. With the increase in longevity, we are understanding the importance of health – rather than discussing lifespan, we are discussing healthspan, maximising the years we can live free of illnesses.
This year the World Ageing Festival addresses the evolving mindset of older generations who seek health, independence, and purpose, encouraging the global knowledge exchange, cross-industry collaborations, and sector partnerships to accelerate new projects and innovation.
The main program includes presentations and panel discussions that cover a wide range of topics, covering knowledge, trends, policies and visions for the future, all focusing around better ageing for all. I am very happy to be part of a panel discussing rehabilitation for health longevity. This panel will be held on day two in the Begonia room.
One of the highlights of the program is a key note talk by Dr Wendy Suzuki, a world-renowned neuroscientist, a celebrated international authority on neuroplasticity. Here is a link to her Ted Talk on the benefits of exercise to brain health.
The innovation exhibition also offers a wide range of topics running over the two days. The Ageing Asia Eldercare Operations Seminar will discuss the changing landscape of eldercare operations discussing best practice principles, innovations and strategies among others, to future-proof eldercare services while maintaining quality, sustainability, and financial efficiency.
The Active Ageing Seminar wants to empower older persons to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives through holistic approaches to active ageing, by discussing movement and exercise as medicine to practical insights on managing chronic health conditions. The Career Showcase aims to drive conversations on lifelong employability, mid-career reskilling, and intergenerational workforce integration.
On the demo stage businesses and innovators will share their knowledge. I will have my talk titled “The impact of resistance training on Multidimensional health – The HUR effect on Healthspan” on the first day at 2 pm, covering the research update on the benefits of strength training, the concept of Healthspan, and the HUR effect.
We are also very proud to be finalists in this year’s innovation awards. Over the years many Australian companies have been finalists in this competition, with many winners including our clients, especially in the active ageing categories. We want to already congratulate every finalist for their innovations that aim to provide better care for all. You can find the conference home page via this link.
If you are in Singapore, please come and visit us at booth AA15 to meet the global HUR team with our members from Finland, Singapore, Malaysia and Australia.
I hope to see you in Singapore!
Best wishes,
Dr Tuire Karaharju-Huisman
Physiotherapist, Accredited Exercise Physiologist (ESSAM), PhD (Biomechanics)
Research Lead, Area Account Manager (Vic, Tas, SA, NT)
