Aging isn’t Fading
At 81, Madam Lee Siew Eng is proof that ageing alone doesn’t mean ageing lonely. With the right mindset and community, home can be a place of strength. By Chen Sihan.
The 81-year-old has lived in her flat since the 1990s with her family. Over the years, her sons got married and moved out, leaving just her and her husband. After he passed away, she spent a few years rotating between her sons’ homes, renting out her flat in the meantime. Eventually, she chose to return. “My sons have all grown and are living their own lives… I have my own life to resume back at home.” She says.
Like 82.8 percent of seniors in a 2024 SMU study, Madam Lee prefers to age in place, supported by nearby amenities and a strong sense of community. When asked what makes her neighbourhood feel like home, she points to her long-time neighbours.
“We have small chats every now and then. They used to bring their children over to play with my sons,” she shares. “Now it’s just us. The same people but with hearing aids and walking sticks…and maybe more peace now without the kids screaming.”
Despite her age, Madam Lee still cooks, cleans, and manages her routines independently. She credits her active lifestyle for her graceful ageing.
"Health is a mindset,” she says. “Some people grow old and stop caring for themselves. But I keep moving and never got lazy.” Despite a recent knee injury, she enjoys light exercises at the fitness corner down her block.
She’s not alone in her approach. Mr Chen Kee Leong, a volunteer at an elderly care centre, shares her outlook. He affirms that living in harmony and staying positive are key to ageing well in an ever-changing world.
With eight years in eldercare, Mr Chen believes Singapore is well-placed for seniors to age in place. “Our country ranks among the top in the world in terms of healthcare, living conditions, and safety. If I can’t age in place here, where else can I go?” He says. “In a high-cost society, retirement isn’t free. In a cheap care home, I’d be old, lonely and my old age would be a tragic one.”
To truly support seniors, Mr Chen believes empathy is important.
Madam Lee is part of a growing demographic. According to the Singapore Department of Statistics, the number of elderly persons aged 80–84 living alone rose from 6,600 in 2021 to 9,000 in 2024. When asked if it ever gets isolating living alone, she says, “Generally yes. But over time, you get used to it.” Lately, she’s filled her time with singing classes. “I’m not very good at it,” she laughs, “but it makes me happy.”
Madam Lee’s youthful spirit reminds us that age is just number. Her story encourages us to see ageing not as a limitation, but as a chapter filled with new joys.
“There’s comfort in familiarity… it preserves my memories,” she says.”