When siblings Samuel and Abigail Lim followed their mother’s footsteps and began volunteering as Silver Generation Ambassadors (SGAs) last year, they discovered that their journey was more than just a way to give back; it was a profound lesson in empathy and understanding. “The seniors we meet have already lived most of their lives and made countless decisions regarding their careers and partners,” said Mr Lim, 24. “What I’ve come to realise [through my interactions with them] is that while people perceive and process the world differently, we have more in common with one another than we think.”

The SGA programme is an initiative by the Silver Generation Office (SGO), which is the outreach arm of the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC). By engaging seniors at community spaces and through home visits, SGAs encourage them to stay healthy and active, share information about government initiatives and connect them to care and support schemes that address their needs.

For the 3,000 or so SGAs in Singapore, volunteering is not a one-way street. In the case of Ms Lim, 21, who is studying to become a nurse, being an SGA has helped her develop better rapport with the elderly. Prior to becoming an SGA, she found it challenging to initiate conversations with senior patients, a skill that now comes naturally to her. “Being an SGA has allowed me to gain insights into their various needs and better communicate with them,” she said.

SILVER GENERATION AMBASSADORS

BEARING WITNESS TO SENIORS’ LIFE STORIES

Mr Lim takes turns with his sister to volunteer as an SGA, with their mother serving as their partner. During volunteer sessions, the more experienced SGA guides the newer one in interacting with seniors and enquiring about their health and well-being. After the visits, SGO staff follow up by linking seniors to relevant government schemes and providing any additional support needed.

A leather craftsman by trade, Mr Lim appreciates the flexibility to choose the days and hours he spends volunteering. He volunteers between one and three days a week, and aims to cover at least 10 senior households during each session. In a good month, Mr Lim connects with as many as 80 seniors. While some seniors prefer a quick doorstep chat, others welcome the company. Mr Lim has sometimes stayed for hours, helping with chores and chatting with them to boost their spirits.

Beyond offering lonely elderly individuals a listening ear, SGAs can make a practical difference in their lives. One senior Mr Lim encountered was a cleaner working to support his son who had a severe form of cerebral palsy and required assistance with daily tasks like showering and eating. “He was happy when he realised that he qualified for the financial aid schemes we had told him about after he turned 61,” recalled Mr Lim.

Mr Lim explained that while it can sometimes be challenging to get the elderly to open up, being heard can be cathartic for them. “A lot of them had burdens and responsibilities placed upon them in their youth, such as having to support their families,” he said. “They are now at the age where they find themselves reflecting on the lives they’ve lived and sometimes, their unfulfilled needs. Listening to their stories has been deeply rewarding.”

HONING SKILLS FOR HER FUTURE CAREER

For Ms Lim, embarking on her nursing internships helped her come to the realisation that many seniors grapple with loneliness. “A lot of them did not get visitors in the hospital, and they wanted to chat with the nurses because they were lonely,” she explained. “They craved companionship.”

In addition to impacting mental well-being, loneliness among seniors has consequences for their physical health. A study in Singapore found that self-acknowledged lonely people aged between 60 and 69 years old can expect to have their lifespans reduced by three to five years, compared to peers who do not perceive themselves as lonely.

One key skill that Ms Lim has acquired is the ability to navigate difficult topics of conversation – such as health or finances – while still obtaining the necessary information from seniors.

What keeps Ms Lim going are the heartwarming encounters, such as with a fast-food restaurant employee in her 70s whose children had already passed away. Despite her limited means, she was eager to play the consummate host to the SGAs. “She went to great lengths to ensure that we were comfortable,” recounted Ms Lim. “Meeting people like her keeps me going.”

She encourages other youths to sign up to be an SGA, which she and her brother call “a hidden gem of an opportunity”. Concluded Ms Lim: “Gaining a better understanding of the hardships elderly people go through has helped me appreciate what I have and shaped my values.”

DEVELOPING CONFIDENCE THROUGH CARING

When he was younger, Mr Roy Koh learnt about the SGA programme from his father, who works in social services. Still considering his future career path at the time, he realised that becoming an SGA could serve as a good introduction to the field of social work, which he was interested in.

Now 19, Mr Koh has been an SGA since he turned 18 last year and qualified to join the volunteering programme. He is currently a first-year Social Work student at a local polytechnic. “I’ve always wanted to be in a career where I can talk to people,” he explained. “In addition, I get along well with senior folks like my grandparents, whom I visit every week.”

Mr Koh, who volunteers on weekends during the school term, tries to meet at least 10 seniors during each full-day session from 9am to around 4pm. He is paired up with a fellow SGA who happens to be a friend of his father.

While he was initially content to let his partner take the lead, Mr Koh gradually gained confidence, asking seniors questions and adeptly conversing in both Mandarin and English. “My Mandarin wasn’t very fluent,” he confessed. “But I learnt from listening to my partner and I'm now able to say things like ‘health screening’ or ‘lasting power of attorney’. I was so happy when I was able to explain the different active ageing programmes available for seniors in Mandarin!”

Looking back on his first year as an SGA, Mr Koh said that in addition to his newfound confidence, his life is now imbued with a deeper sense of purpose and direction.

“I am now better able to explain things to others, and I try to convince the people around me to volunteer during the school holidays,” he said. "Each time a senior cracks open the door a little wider after our initial contact, it’s a heartwarming moment because it shows that we’ve earned their trust. To me, it’s akin to witnessing a small miracle.”