Seniors donating provisions to seniors in need. |
Instead of waiting for the government to launch initiatives, these senior activists are taking the lead in offering assistance to other seniors. It makes sense, for who would understand the problems of senior citizens better than their own kind? Who would communicate better with the elderly than members of their peer group?
message to a punter at a betting centre. Photo: Straits Times |
In Singapore, community activism among seniors is blossoming. Senior citizens are signing up for programmes that train them to help other seniors. One example is the Problem Gambling Prevention Programme run by the Young-at-Heart! Community College. Senior volunteers who sign up are trained as gambling prevention ambassadors. They visit betting centres and gambling joints to spread the message about the pitfalls of gambling, and also counsel gambling addicts.
in his two-room rental flat. Photo: Straits Times |
The programmes have received positive feedback, with many of the elderly expressing a preference for peer group assistance. As they speak the same language, there is no communication barrier.
Photo: Straits Times |
Elsewhere, senior citizens are doing their bit on their own, volunteering their services at daycare centres for the elderly, and community centres for seniors. Click here to read the Straits Times report.
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