A Seniors-Only ‘Tech Cafe’ Opened in Bedok: Borrow free health tech gadgets from Heartbeat@Bedok

A new pilot initiative called the Care Tech Café has opened at Heartbeat @ Bedok. It acts as an interactive pop-up center where seniors and their caregivers can drop by to view, test out, and learn how to use modern health technology and eldercare gadgets.

• Location: Care Tech Café, located inside Heartbeat@Bedok (integrated with Kampong Chai Chee Community Club).
• Opening Hours: Every Monday and the third Sunday of every month, from 2 - 4pm.

Rather than expecting seniors to purchase expensive equipment blindly, the café allows residents living in Kampong Chai Chee to borrow these items to try out at home for free for up to one week.

Eldercare devices can range in price from $100 for basic medical grips to upwards of $10,000 for advanced companion robots. Many seniors are hesitant to adopt tech due to high upfront costs, lack of familiarity, or fear of buying inaccurate products. The free loan model eliminates financial risk, allowing seniors to build trust in the devices before deciding whether to invest.

Spearheaded by the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) under the SUSS-Nunchi Marine Age Well Programme, the project highlights how technology can lighten the burden on healthcare workers and family caregivers while maintaining a high quality of care.

Smart watches, rings

Some devices seniors can try include smartwatches and smart rings to monitor vital signs like blood pressure and guide daily physical exercise.

Medical handgrips, Virtual drumming apps

There are also medical hand grips and virtual drumming apps (a digital music therapy mobile app) for physical therapy, hand strength, and cognitive stimulation.

AI Companion Robots

Finally, explore AI robots such as LOVOT, Kebbi, and Hyodol, which provide companionship and social interaction.

The café is staffed by trained youth volunteers alongside senior volunteers from local Active Ageing Centres (AACs), creating a welcoming space for multi-generational interaction and digital skill-building.

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Bedok is an ‘Age Well’ neighbourhood

Singapore is rapidly transitioning into a super-aged society. Bedok was officially designated as an ‘Age Well Neighbourhood’, part of the nationwide effort to build infrastructure and community networks that support seniors so they can age in place independently, comfortably, and safely.

Am I eligible?

If you (or your senior parents) reside in or near Chai Chee, pay a visit to make use of this free loan scheme.

Plan a visit during their operating hours to walk through the showcase together. Because high-tech gadgets can feel intimidating, going along as a caregiver allows you to assist them while the youth and senior “baristas” demonstrate how each device operates.

Speak to the staff on-site to register for the one-week home loan service.

Use the trial week to observe whether the device fits smoothly into their daily routine - whether it is tracking their daily blood pressure accurately or providing useful health insights - before deciding if a permanent purchase makes sense.

Encourage them to participate in the café’s upcoming regular workshops, tech demonstrations, and digital literacy sessions aimed at building confidence with modern devices.

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