"Left Behind, Not Forgotten:

When Mary Lim lost her husband of 45 years to cancer in 2010, her world went quiet. Her life that was once filled with laughter and shared routines suddenly came to a stop. “The initial grief was painful,” said the 85-year-old. “I felt lonely…Just me only.” After moving in with her daughter, Mary slowly began adjusting to her new life without her partner. However, Mary is not alone in facing this challenge.

According to a dataset provided by Singstat, the number of widowed seniors aged 70 and above has been on the rise over the past four decades. In 2024, this figure reached a record high of approximately 132,500 individuals, both men and women. This marks a significant increase from just below 40,000 in 1980. As Singapore's population continues to age, this trend is expected to continue.

As reported by The Straits Times, recent announcements under Budget 2025 have introduced enhanced support for seniors in Singapore. Initiatives such as expanded caregiving subsidies reflect growing attention to the aging population. However, caregivers like Minerva Alba, a nursing aide at Methodist Nursing Home for the past 10 years, note that such measures often focus on physical and financial aid, while widowed seniors, particularly those struggling with grief and loneliness, require more targeted emotional and mental health support.

Minerva shares from her years of experience that widowed seniors often face emotional struggles that are overlooked. “Many of them are left to grieve on their own, especially if they don’t have family nearby or if their families are busy working,” she explains. She observes that widowed women tend to express their feelings openly, which helps them process grief, while men often bottle up their emotions and struggle with denial. Minerva also notes that widowhood deeply affects seniors’ daily lives, sometimes causing depressive episodes or irritation, making emotional care just as vital as physical support.

Mary recalls the early days of grief as painfully quiet. “Very quiet, (I’m) not used to it,” she admits that the emotional adjustment was difficult, and explained that Singapore had support for the elderly, but it didn't specifically address the needs of widows back in 2005.

Since then, Singapore has acknowledged that eldercare must go beyond just physical or financial support. To address seniors’ emotional needs, Singapore has introduced targeted mental health initiatives. The programme Wishine, established in 2018, offers grief support for widows through counselling and peer groups, helping them feel less alone in their loss. Meanwhile, Care Corner announced in 2023 that it offers free counselling for seniors coping with loss, even providing home visits in selected areas such as Toa Payoh, Marsiling, and Woodlands.

As Singapore’s population continues to age, the realities of widowhood are becoming more apparent. Beyond the rising numbers are quiet stories of strength, like Mary Lim’s, of adapting and healing. “Live one day at a time,” she advises. “Not only just for yourself, but for others around you.”