23-year-old Darren Lim grew up as an introverted and reserved individual who shied away from speaking in front of large crowds. 

Before becoming a Christian in secondary school, Darren would never have imagined himself hosting group activities for the elderly, let alone pursuing a career in eldercare. 

“Before I started attending church, I would have just chosen a job that didn’t involve interacting with big groups of people,” Darren shared.

“Learning about God’s compassion for us allowed me to love others with a deeper purpose. Though I still feel slightly nervous speaking in front of larger crowds, I have grown to be more confident in myself.” 

For the past year, Darren has been working at St Luke’s ElderCare (SLEC) as a Community Care Associate (CCA) and is glad to have found his calling in caring for the elderly. 

Discovering a passion to serve

Fresh out of National Service in early 2023, Darren felt confused and lost. While he held an ITE certificate in fitness training, he wasn’t sure if he wanted to pursue a career in the field. 

“I didn’t know what to do,” recalled Darren. “I wasn’t sure if I should find a part-time job, do something related to my industry, or further my studies.” 

In September of that same year, Darren came across the SLEC website and found himself drawn to the idea of working in the eldercare sector, particularly with it being a Christian organisation.

With no prior experience, Darren was initially nervous about venturing into uncharted waters but soon decided to step out of his comfort zone and give it a shot. 

Darren, who works at SLEC Senior Care Centre @ Jurong East, initially started by helping with Maintenance Day Care, where he engaged elders with exercises and handicrafts and also accompanied them on outings.

This programme, which aims at stimulating physical, psychological and social well-being, brought him great joy through his interactions with the elderly.

“I enjoy hearing their stories, learning about how they grew up and what life was like in their younger days,” he shared. Soon, Darren even found himself going the extra mile to learn basic Hokkien and Cantonese phrases to build greater rapport with the elderly. 

He also mentioned that a recent highlight was an intergenerational lantern-making session with children from the local community. “The elderly were so happy,” he said with a smile. “It brought a special light to their faces.”

Moments like these, seeing the elderly enjoying themselves through wholesome activities, are what keep Darren motivated. “It’s heart-warming to see them having fun. It reminds me why I’m here!”

Growing patience and humility 

While working with the elderly has been a fulfilling experience for Darren, it does not come without its fair share of challenges. 

After a few months of helping with maintenance day care, he was then tasked to support elders with dementia. Dementia day care aims to slow down the deterioration of physical and mental functions of elders with dementia through cognitively stimulating activities. 

Darren vividly remembers his first major test of patience was when he worked with a 98-year-old woman with dementia who would ask to use the toilet every 15 minutes. 

“We had to divert her attention by encouraging her to talk to different clients or engage in other activities, but it was really difficult,” said Darren. 

However, what made this experience a turning point for Darren was when the old lady, despite her dementia, started apologising for her actions. 

“She started saying sorry and lamented about how she felt bad about being a ‘burden’ to the staff members,” he explained. 

He also recalled that the old lady’s son would profusely apologise on his mother’s behalf every time he came to pick her up. 

“I felt very humbled by their actions and realised that I should start becoming more patient. God was teaching me something new.” 

He began viewing each of these situations not as a challenging task to complete, but as an opportunity to show grace and compassion. 

“It’s not about going through the motions,” Darren affirmed. “It’s about showing them grace, even when times are tough.”

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9) 

Whatever he faces in life, Darren leans on Joshua 1:9, trusting that God is always working through him. 

This verse serves to remind Darren that just as God was with Joshua when he led the Israelites into the Promised Land, God is also supporting him every step of the way, empowering him to love the elderly wholeheartedly. 

What can you do?

Many young people often express difficulties in relating to the elderly around them due to what they perceive to be a generational gap. 

But Darren believes it’s not about how well you can relate to the elderly: “It’s about your heart in wanting to get to know them and sometimes, it’s just about being present and offering a listening ear.” 

“After working in the eldercare sector, I’ve gotten much closer to my own grandmother. I now see her in a different light, not just as an old person but as a wise friend.” 

Today is the International Day of Older Persons, and Darren’s testimony reminds us of the importance of extending care and love to our seniors.

As Singapore’s ageing population continues to expand, with projections indicating that approximately 25% of our residents will be aged 65 and above by 2030, eldercare is an increasingly important area of service. 

We can start responding to this growing need by taking small, intentional steps in our own lives. This may be as simple as putting our phones away during a visit to our grandparents’ or offering assistance to elderly individuals we encounter on the street.

Additionally, we can also consider volunteering at local eldercare centres or helping out in community programmes that support our seniors. 

So, let us not allow things like an age gap to hinder our ability to show the elderly love, care and concern.

Often, all we need to truly make a difference in their day, is a genuine heart in forming a meaningful connection. 

Let us strive to honour and care for our older friends, knowing that God’s heart for us is to honour the elderly.

Inspired by Darren’s journey? If you’re interested in exploring a career in eldercare, click here. Or if you’d like to volunteer and make an older person’s day, check out this link here.