UM brings smiles and strength to senior citizen through WISeCare
Promoting healthy aging goes beyond clinical care. It requires meaningful engagement, practical education, and a touch of creativity. This vision came to life through WISeCare: A Wellness Integration for Seniors and Caregivers, an oral health programme carried out by a team of Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Malaya final year undergraduates and academician under the SULAM and UMCARES initiatives, designed to empower senior citizens and their caregivers with essential knowledge on oral health, mental and physical health.
The programme was conducted on 4, 7, and 15 April 2026 at the Kelana Jaya Multipurpose Hall and PJ Senior Care Centres, respectively. The events brought together students, caregivers and residents in a collaborative effort to promote holistic well-being among older adults.
At the heart of WISeCare was a simple goal which is to make health education accessible, interactive, and enjoyable. Hence, the programme adopted a multi-sensory, participatory approach in which denture hygiene steps were delivered using visually appealing cue cards that simplified key messages into easy-to-understand concepts. These tools helped participants recognise common issues faced by denture wearers, understand proper hygiene techniques and remember daily care routines.
To add a fun element, the programme incorporated singing as a learning tool. A catchy, easy-to-follow song was used to reinforce denture hygiene steps, making the experience both memorable and enjoyable. To reinforce learning, hands-on demonstrations were conducted, allowing seniors to practice toothbrushing techniques and denture care under guided supervision. This practical approach ensured that knowledge was not only communicated, but applied.
Beyond oral health, WISeCare emphasised the importance of physical activity in maintaining independence and overall well-being, which eventually improves oral health. Participants engaged in exergames which use cameras and motion sensors to track body movements, turning physical activity into in-game actions, simulating sports movements like tennis. This activity was designed to improve coordination, balance, and mobility in a fun and low-pressure environment. Despite being a new experience for many, the residents enjoyed it thoroughly, highlighting its potential as a feasible form of exercise.
In addition to physical and oral health, WISeCare also emphasised the importance of mental well-being, particularly among caregivers. In collaboration with London College of Clinical Hypnotherapy (Asia), the programme introduced a mental health component focusing on stress management and emotional resilience.
A session of self-hypnosis was conducted for the caregivers, equipping them with practical techniques to manage stress and enhance their overall well-being while caring for the elderly at PJ Senior Care. This initiative highlighted the importance of supporting caregivers alongside senior citizens as caregiving comes with psychological demands. Through this collaboration, WISeCare showed that mental health is a vital pillar of holistic care too, complementing physical and oral health.
In summary, WISeCare empowers senior citizens to improve their oral and overall well-being by incorporating these impactful activities into their daily lives.
Dr. Jessica Francis is a Dental lecturer & Clinical Specialist at the Department of Orthodontics, Paediatric & Special Care Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Malaya, and can be reached at jessicafrancis@um.edu.my