THE PERANAKANNyonya Karen Wee Siew Lin, CEO of Lions Befrienders Service Association,
shares her tips on caregiving for the modern baba and nyonya.
Our Heritage, Our Responsibility
In every nyonya’s kitchen and every baba’s story lies a reminder: we are a people who treasure our elders. Their wisdom, customs, and love have carried us through generations. Yet in today’s fast-paced, digital world, many seniors find themselves alone, isolated, or left behindโespecially those who are frail, living alone, or without family nearby.
5 Caring Tips for the Modern Baba/Nyonya Caregiver
Whether you are taking care of your parents, grandparents, or elderly neighbours, here are some practical and heart-led ways to support our seniors:
1. Rasa Sayang Starts with Listening
Just like we listen to panton or old songs, take time to listen to your senior’s stories. Ask them about their kampong days, their favourite dishes, or their courtship tales. This strengthens emotional bonds and preserves precious memories.
Lions Befrienders’ volunteers are trained to use reminiscence therapy techniques to engage seniors who may be lonely or withdrawn.
2. Nurture with Familiar Food
Food is medicine and memory. Prepare comfort dishes like ayam buah keluak or pongteh, which bring joy and appetite. Involve seniors in food prepโeven if it’s just washing vegetables. It gives them a sense of contribution.
Through nutrition programmes and social dining sessions, Lions Befrienders ensures frail seniors stay nourished and connected.
Image of courtesy of Colin Chee.
3. Embrace Digital Baba/Nyonya Ways
Many seniors feel left behind in a digital world. Help them use a smartphone to see their grandchildren or join a Zoom kueh-making class. Lions Befrienders runs digital literacy classes tailored to seniorsโeven those who never went to school. Our partnership with DBS Foundation and IMDA has helped thousands of seniors learn how to use technology safely and confidently.
4. Watch for Signals of Stress or Decline
Changes in sleeping, eating, or mood can be early signs of depression or dementia. Don’t wait for a crisis. Early action can prevent long-term decline. Lions Befrienders’ staff and partners provide assessments, home visits, and care referrals so seniors get help early.
5. Don’t Do It AloneโRely on the Kampong Spirit
Caregiving can be lonely. Reach out to Active Ageing Centres like those by Lions Befrienders. From caregiver talks to respite services, we’re here to support you. As the Peranakan saying goes, “Seโorang tidak boleh buat semua kerja.” (One person cannot do all the work.)
Stories from the Heart | Mdm Teow Swee Cheow
- A nonagenarian volunteer who began her journey with Lions Befrienders after losing her husband
- She famously said, “I don’t want to be a ‘senior’ (beneficiary); I want to be a volunteer.”โฏ
- Mdm Teow has cycled around her Tiong Bahru neighbourhood visiting seniors daily, embodying compassion and dedication for over 20 years.
“Sekarang, saya ada tujuan. Saya bukan tinggal seโorang saja.” (Now, I have purpose. I’m not living alone anymore.)
How You Can Help
- Volunteer to be a befriender for one hour a week or 10 mins a day for checking in by phone
- Sponsor a nutrition or digital skills session for low-income seniors
- Visit your local Lions Befrienders Active Ageing Centre and bring your senior loved one along
- Visit lionsbefrienders.org.sg for details.
As we honour our culture and values, let us continue to honour those who raised us. Caring for our seniors is not just a dutyโit is a joy and a continuation of the rich heritage that is our pride.
Lions Befrienders Service Association, a homegrown charity, has been serving Singapore’s seniors since 1995. With over 10 Active Ageing Centres, Home Personal Care, Community Case Management, Counselling, Mental Health, we help 13,000 seniors age well at their residences (sendiri punia rumah) with dignity, connection, and purpose. This is done with only 150 staff and 1,000 volunteers, of whom 400 are seniors who stepped up. By 2030, we will have 27,000 seniors under our care.
Lions Befrienders: Fulfilling Dreams, Igniting Community
All images courtesy of Lions Befrienders Singapore.
