“While conducting door-to-door visits to seniors to understand the needs of seniors and communicate community support schemes, I was pleasantly surprised by the energy and tech-savviness of the younger Merdeka Generation seniors, and the warmth and kindness of the older Pioneer Generation seniors.

Contrary to societal preconceptions, Singaporean seniors possess unique strengths that can contribute significantly to community development. Many seniors have passions for hobbies such as sewing, baking, and gardening, which could be leveraged to mobilise them as active contributors to their communities, such as conducting activity classes and events.

By shifting the societal narrative of seniors from passive recipients to active contributors, we can foster a more inclusive and vibrant community. This approach also aligns with the goal of healthy ageing in Singapore.

Thus, I would like to apply this lens in my future career as a social worker. We should dispel ageist notions, such as the “frailness” and “non-productivity” of seniors, and advocate for mobilising seniors as contributors in our national strategy to achieve healthy ageing.”