To provide social mobility and help to the elderly residents of Singapore, active seniors have been roped under the Soar (Silver Outreach Action for the Residents) programme, started by Member of Parliament of Singapore Joan Pereira.
There are about 60 volunteers in this programme who are mostly aged 50 and above. They visit the elderly residents of their area and regularly interact with them. There are also excursions to tourist places including zoo and the Singapore flyover.
Joan Pereira said, “Active agers have more time and don’t have a language barrier. The younger ones have love, passion and all that, but sometimes, it’s a little bit hard to communicate. Being an active ager, you’re able to understand the elderly more.”
Speaking about the purpose of opening Soar, she said, “The aim is to bring companionship to socially isolated residents with mobility or mental challenges. Many of them are in wheelchairs, and their family members would prefer them to stay at home so they would not fall or get lost.”
“ These are the ones who don’t come out. They might not even open their doors. We ask their neighbours to help bring them out,” she said.