SINGAPORE - Retired cleaner Wang Jee Kim lives alone in a two-room rental flat in Marine Parade. The 69-year-old bachelor spends his days watching television programmes, walking around the neighbourhood, and talking to his few friends at the void deck or community garden.
Living alone is a risk factor for social disconnection, according to a recent National University of Singapore study. “In addition, transitioning from employment to retirement could further curtail their social network and increase their social disconnection.” This could mean improving the quality of interactions with their family, and involving extended members of the community for regular social interactions.
Lions Befrienders regularly conducts outreach to seniors, inviting them to its active ageing centres to participate in a wide range of activities and expand their social network.