APEX Harmony Lodge in Pasir Ris has been a home away from home for persons with dementia since
1999, and is Singapore’s first and only purpose built dementia care facility. Since 2011, UWCSEA has
supported APEX Harmony in their journey to building inclusive and empowering spaces for persons with
dementia. East Campus students provide residents with positive experiences to stimulate their memories
through music.
A recent study of the impact of music therapy at the Lodge showed positive results of the service.
Through the ‘Music with Reminiscence’ programme, students were trained in the Observed Emotions
Rating Scale (OERS) and Personal Enhancers (PEs) and between 2016 and 2018, 33 students applied
these skills in their work with 61 residents. The results indicated statistically significant increases in
scores of positive emotions for residents. There was also a significant increase in student understanding
of people living with dementia and the positive impact of music and personal interactions on
elderly people.
APEX Harmony Lodge is helming a compassionate, one-of-a-kind dementia care model for their
residents, day-care elders and those living with dementia in the community, and UWCSEA is proud to
have been part of their growth.
We were thrilled that UWCSEA was honoured as an ‘Outstanding Synergistic Partner’ of APEX Harmony
Lodge, as they celebrated 20 years of operations in 2019.
In an award ceremony on 21 September, Eivind Lodemel (Head of High School Music, East), who has
been leading the music therapy facilitation project, and Rick Hannah (Chair of Service and Sustainable
Development) accepted the award on behalf of the College. The award ceremony was graced by
President of the Republic of Singapore Madam Halimah Yacob as the Guest-of-Honour.
The service project at APEX Harmony Lodge, is just one
example of how our student volunteers are building
intergenerational understanding and social relationships
in their communities, volunteering their time to create a
thriving and inclusive social environment.
Read about UWCSEA’s long
standing commitment to
Service in Singapore
In harmony
fostering intergenerational
understanding
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