Lifestyle

There’s an IPPT for Seniors & It’s For a Good Reason

2017-09-05 , 3:25 pm

Are you a senior that’s fit as a fiddle?

Ever seen them young uns go through the IPPT, smirk and go “Hmph, I can do way better than them?”

Well you can now! There’s an IPPT exclusively for seniors and there’s even a Bronze, Silver or Gold award depending on your performance!

What is it?

Dubbed the IPPT for Seniors, or IPPT-S, it’s a “comprehensive community frailty screening programme” that was devised by a multi-disciplinary team from SGH and SKH.

Its primary aim is for senior citizens to be able to check on their frailty and possible health risks.

According to Associate Professor Ng Yee Sien, a senior consultant from the department of rehabilitation medicine at SGH and SKH, it aims to “identify the robust, pre-frail and frail in the elderly so that targeted interventions can happen“.

If found early, frailty can be reversed with the correct methods, so the programme serves to locate potential parasites and weed them out.

The nine-course test features exercises such as back reach, sit-and-reach, box and block, grip strength and a 10-metre walk.

Challenging his grip strength. Analysis reports show that it’s over 9000.

Reaching for that 50-cent coin on the floor. Can’t waste it when there’s free kopi.

Playing Box and Block.

An estimated 30-40 minutes is required to finish the test.

Once seniors complete the test, they will receive a health booklet with their results (reminds me of Primary School) and a pass, silver or gold award depending on their performance.

Unfortunately, no cash prizes are available, at least to our understanding.

And finally, they have to finish a questionnaire to access their nutritional status, medical conditions and capability of undergoing daily activities.

Where and how can you take it?

I know you young at heart seniors are all set and ready to go, but hold your horses, you got to first know the details.

According to CNA, the programme is designated to be conducted in conjunction with community partners such as senior activity centres (SAC) in residential estates.

SAC staff members and volunteers will help out with the screening and follow up with participants.

A pilot of the programme has already launched, over eight days in June to July this year, at Ang Mo Kio Family Service Centre Rivervale and Rivervale Community Centre.

Findings have revealed that out of all the participants that have attended, a third were at risk of being frail, about 2 percent were frail and 22 percent were at risk of malnutrition.

The test will be made available to those who are aged 55 and above, can walk on their own, and pass a separate pre-screening assessment.

Thoughts

I think it’s a pretty cool test for seniors to try out!

Sure, it doesn’t have the money incentives, but its primary purposes—to check for frailty and potential injuries—seem really useful.

Granted, you’re the master of your own body, but you never know when it might start playing tricks while you’re unaware.

Why not go for it? There’s no harm done, and you get to conquer your body (and get some exercise at the same time).

So maybe it’s time to start working out? Can’t miss out on that gold, just like your glory days back in camp!

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