Visit to SG Assist’s Age+ Living Lab: A Caregiver’s Treasure Trove in the Heart of Yishun
From Left: SG Assist Co-founder Adrian Tan and Truehugz team, Aidi, Mag and KY.
On a sunny Friday morning, the TrueHugz team had the privilege of visiting the SG Assist Age+ Living Lab, a quiet yet empowering space tucked beneath a HDB void deck in Yishun. What started as a casual tour quickly unfolded into an inspiring and eye-opening journey, one that reshaped our perspective on caregiving in Singapore and the future of aging well in the community.
Jointly developed by SG Assist and the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS), the Age+ Living Lab is an experiential learning hub designed to empower caregivers, seniors, and persons with disabilities.
Its goal is simple yet powerful: to help families imagine, understand, and experience safe, practical, and tech-enabled living environments that support ageing in place with dignity.
More than just a model home, the lab serves as a hands-on training ground to test real-life care scenarios and identify solutions that make day-to-day caregiving more effective and less overwhelming.
SG Assist is a homegrown social enterprise, founded by caregivers who understand firsthand the gaps and emotional weight of caregiving. Today, it offers a digital-first care concierge platform, matches families with trained Caregivers-on-Demand, and mobilises Caregiver Volunteers and Geron Tech Ambassadors to bridge care and community.
Grounded in the World Health Organisation, WHO ICOPE framework (Integrated Care for Older People), SG Assist focuses on enabling healthy ageing, equipping caregivers, and creating community-based care solutions that are both empathetic and evidence-based.
Walking Through Real-Life Caregiving Scenarios
Starting from Top Left: Gerontech Ambassador and Adrian showing us the different types of walking aids. aid to assist in applying eye drops, different assistive devices on display for daily living, lock that safekeep your house key in case you forget, assistive handle to support elderly in getting out of chair, walking stick holder, and us trying out adaptive cutlery.
Our 90-minute tour of the mock-up flat, led by passionate GeronTech Ambassadors, was insightful and educational. Each room, from the dining area to the living room, bedroom, and study, was intentionally designed to simulate a senior-friendly home. The space showcased assistive technology, home modifications, and adaptive tools that promote safety, independence, and ease of caregiving.
We saw motion sensors, fall detection systems, adaptive utensils, walking aids, and thoughtfully designed furnitures. One particularly impactful demonstration showed how bed-bound individuals who are usually incontinent, could be safely repositioned for their diaper change, using simple but effective tools, reducing physical strain and injury risk for caregivers.
However, the highlight wasn’t just the tech, it was the chance to try the equipment ourselves. This hands-on, immersive approach gave us a newfound appreciation for how even small changes can dramatically improve quality of life and caregiver wellbeing. The ambassadors also openly shared personal stories, giving context and humanity to every feature. It was indeed both educational and deeply moving.
A Community Built on Shared Knowledge
Mockup Dining room setting in SG Assist Age+ Living Lab Experiential Tour
What made the experience truly powerful was the kampung spirit of community that emerged during the session. Fellow participants, also freely exchanged practical tips, stories, and insights.
One participant, for example, spoke about how using a real-time blood glucose monitoring patch helped her better manage her own health and dietary decisions with data-driven awareness. Her patch is a newer model compare to what the centre has, demonstrating the constant evolution and innovative nature of GeronTech.
These conversations highlighted how technology is becoming more prevalent and accessible, helping caregivers deliver more effective and confident care at home. It also reminded us that caregiving doesn’t have to be an isolating experience, there is strength in shared learning and peer support.
A Conversation with the Heart Behind SG Assist
As part of the tour, we had the pleasure of meeting both Greg Tan and Adrian Tan, the founders of SG Assist. Adrian generously shared his reflections from the seven years of growing their organisation, from humble beginnings rooted in personal caregiving struggles to a robust community platform that now supports thousands.
His message was clear: caregiving in Singapore is evolving, and with the right tools, stories, and partnerships, we can build a more inclusive and resilient care ecosystem. His blend of humility, insight, and purpose left a lasting impression on us.
Why the Age+ Living Lab Visit Matters to TrueHugz
At TrueHugz, our commitment extends beyond high-quality adult diapers. We believe in supporting the caregiving ecosystem through education, community engagement, and accessible care innovations. Our visit to the SG Assist Age+ Living Lab reaffirmed the importance of holistic care where products, environments, and emotional support work hand in hand.
We’re deeply grateful to SG Assist for opening their doors and their hearts to us. Their work is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when lived experience, thoughtful design, and social purpose come together to uplift Singapore’s ageing population. Thank You to the team at SG Assist!
References
• SG Assist and all their CareResources, SG Assist
• Schedule a Visit to Tour Age+ Living Lab