With Singapore's elderly population on the increase and more of them living alone and socially isolated, there is a greater need for volunteers to befriend and look after them. The Central Singapore Community Development Council (CDC) has 2,000 "silver friends" and is looking to recruit 2,500 more.
They regularly visit elderly people on low incomes, check on their health and needs, remind them of medication and doctor appointments, and organise social activities. The additional 2,500 volunteers will help Central CDC to aid 5,000 more vulnerable elderly people. Last year, 4,200 received help.
"Central Singapore has the highest number of seniors - we have about 366,000," said Ms Denise Phua, Mayor of Central Singapore District. "Two-thirds of Singapore's rental flats are here and about 20,000 elderly are living in them. Many do not have family support and may be at risk of being socially isolated."
To bump up the number of volunteers, Central CDC intends to work with institutes of higher learning, schools, corporations, unions and grassroots organisations. But it is not just numbers that concern the Mayor. Ms Phua wants volunteers who can commit regularly and consistently. "We're encouraging corporate partners to partner the CDC on a regular basis, but to really adopt and befriend and look into the needs of these vulnerable groups," said Ms Phua.
Thoughts:
- Seniors for seniors - the benefit is instant rapport, language barrier broken, and common background to relate to.
Thoughts anyone?
Yours,
Something Small Thinking Big
No comments:
Post a Comment