A month-long celebration focusing on communicating effectively with seniors.

 

Ever wondered how you can communicate more effectively with the seniors in your family?

This year, Singapore will be celebrating the International Day of Older Persons (IDOP) for the first time. The special day, which falls on October 1, recognises the contributions of older persons and examines issues that affect their lives including senescence (to grow old) and elder abuse.

The Singapore IDOP month-long celebration will kick-off on September 28 with Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong as the guest-of-honour. Organised by National Council of Social Service (NCSS), WeCare@MarineParade, YAH!, GoodLife! and supported by Singapore Memory Project and ground-up initiatives Face Up (an initiative by Ageless Online) and Beyond60, and NTUC FairPrice Foundation, this year’s theme is effective communication, as it is the key to understanding one another and the basis of any meaningful relationship.

From now till end October, postcards will be given out to the public to express their appreciation to the seniors in their families or share their thoughts with the younger family members. Student or public volunteers will also be visiting senior centres to record interesting life stories from the seniors. These stories will be made available online on the sites of Singapore Memory Project, Face Up and Beyond60. Tips on effective communication with the seniors will also be made available throughout the campaign.

If you would like to receive the IDOP postcards or volunteer your time in capturing the life stories of seniors, contact Li Fui at siau_li_fui@ncss.gov.sg or Terence at terence_sia@ncss.gov.sg.

 

Here are three tips to communicate better (from the IDOP postcard): 1) Give full attention to the person. 2) Maintain eye contact. 3) Ask questions respectfully to understand better.

 

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