Engaging Seniors, Strengthening Communities
Mdm Wong used to visit Presbyterian Community Social Services (PCS) Evergreen Circle Active Ageing Centre (AAC) daily, enjoying activities with her close group of friends. Then, one day, she stopped coming entirely.
Her absence worried her friends, who couldn’t understand why she had cut off all contact.
It was during a rare outing for necessities that Mr. Andy Toh, PCS Assistant Senior Social Worker, encountered Mdm Wong and noticed she seemed frail and anxious. Sensing something was amiss, Andy reached out to learn more.
He discovered that Mdm Wong, who is widowed without children, had developed an intense fear of catching COVID-19 and being left without care. Her anxiety grew as she followed news reports, leaving her isolated and overwhelmed. Initially, she declined Andy’s offers to visit, fearing infection, but he continued to check in through phone calls.
A turning point came when Mdm Wong suffered a spinal injury after a fall, leaving her in pain and struggling to recover alone. Depressed and unable to manage, she eventually allowed Andy to visit and provide support.
Over two years of regular visits, Andy became a steady source of reassurance for Mdm Wong. He connected her to community services, including Advanced Care Planning, and linked her with trained counsellors. By sharing information, addressing her fears, and offering guidance, Andy helped Mdm Wong rebuild her confidence.
Today, Mdm Wong is thriving again. She participates regularly in activities at the centre and has found that simple exercises help her manage pain and stay active. While occasional anxiety persists, she now knows exactly where to turn for help.
Your support helps us reach and engage more seniors like Mdm Wong. In Singapore, the number of residents aged 65 and above living alone has grown from 58,000 in 2018 to 79,000 in 2022. Some seniors are hesitant to accept help initially, but through consistent trust-building and support, community partners can eventually guide them toward the care and services they need.
Join PCS in creating a community where every senior can lead healthy, interdependent, and purposeful lives.
由于生病、跌倒受伤及抑郁困扰，黄女士在长期独居的生活中逐渐从曾经积极参与活跃乐龄中心（AAC）的成员，变得越来越自我孤立。让我们一同了解长老会社区服务的社工和活跃乐龄中心的朋友如何携手合作，帮助她克服走出家门的恐惧。
黄女士曾是长老会社区服务（PCS）长青坊活跃乐龄站（AAC）的常客，每天都会前往中心与朋友们一同参与活动。然而，有一天，她突然不去了，令朋友们深感担忧，也不解为何她会突然与大家断了联系。
社工Andy在外出购物时偶遇黄女士，注意到她看起来既虚弱又焦虑，直觉告诉他事情不太对劲，于是他主动上前了解情况。
丧偶且没有子女的黄女士，在冠病疫情爆发后产生了强烈的恐惧感，担心自己一旦生病就无人照料。因为持续关注新闻报道，也加剧了她的焦虑情绪，导致她与外界逐渐隔离。黄女士最初拒绝了Andy上门探访的建议，担心会被感染，但安迪没有放弃，始终通过电话与她保持联系。
直到黄女士不慎摔倒导致脊椎受伤，痛苦难忍的她才意识到仅凭自己是无法顺利恢复健康的。加上抑郁和失去自理能力，她最终同意了Andy的探访与帮助。
在接下来的两年里，社工Andy的定期探访成了黄女士的“定心丸”。他引导她与社区服务对接，包括预先护理计划（Advance Care Planning），并推荐她接受专业辅导。
如今，黄女士已重新找回了活力。她定期参加活跃乐龄站的活动，并发现简单的运动有助于缓解疼痛和保持活跃。尽管偶尔仍会感到焦虑，但她现在已经知道该向谁寻求帮助。
加入长老会社区服务，共同打造一个让每位长者都能享有健康、互助与充实生活的社区。
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- 通过我们的捐赠页面: www.pcs.org.sg/donate
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