Our team had a fulfilling Sunday at the East Coast GRC Community Resilience Day at Bayshore, alongside grassroots advisers, DPM Heng Swee Keat, SMS Tan Kiat How, Ms Jessica Tan Soon Neo and Ms Cheryl Chan Wei Ling.

We gave participants a first-hand experience of the challenges seniors face daily—building knowledge and empathy for caregiving. Through hands-on activities, they gained new perspectives on ageing and learned practical skills to support seniors in their communities.

Through the Aging Suit Experience, participants literally “stepped into the shoes” of the elderly. By donning a suit meant to mimic the challenges that the elderly face, they experienced first-hand how ageing affects mobility, vision, and coordination. Goggles blurred their vision, weighted gear restricted movement, and even simple tasks—like walking or using chopsticks—became unexpectedly difficult. This immersive experience helped them understand the daily struggles seniors face and develop empathy towards the limitations they face.

Through these interactive activities, we hope to challenge mindsets about ageing and equip our community with the skills to provide better care for seniors. A compassionate society starts with understanding, and we hope to foster greater empathy towards seniors.