Concept Notes
Stories of the old
Written by the young
Thoughts about keeping the memories of the ordinary elderlies alive
Anecdotes and life stories of the above-65, written by the under-18s around the world
Aman Baig
Singapore American School, Grade Six
Go to your grandparents or a neighbourhood elderly person. Get their consent, listen to their story, take a selfie, and then upload!
Welcome to Stories of the Old, Written by the Young. This website will give you all the tools you need to engage with the elderly, listen to their stories with empathy, and upload nuggets of their lives on a website that will last forever.
Singapore is an aging society
According to Singapore Department of Statistics, Singapore’s population over 65 has risen from 11.7% of the population in 2013 to 19.1% in 2023. That means almost 1 in 5 Singaporeans happen to be considered elderly today.
The Department predicts by 2030, this figure will be almost 1 in 4!
Many old people are lonely
Studies show that grandparents with interactions with grandchildren have better mental and physical health. I think this is true for all elderly, even for those without grandkids, that if you interact with young people, you feel energised and relevant.
I also think that this can be good for young people. Let’s explore further.
In Singapore, some schools arrange for students to meet with the elderly. In my school, SAS, when I was in kindergarten, I went with my class to an old folks’ home. We spent some time with them, and played scrabble. It was a rare occasion. We only did it once that year. But I remember that activity well.
I know I got a lot from it.
I loved seeing the smile on the elderlies’ faces. Maybe, they saw their younger selves in us. I think they enjoyed having company!
My two surviving grandparents live overseas. I love seeing them during visits and hearing their stories. I wonder if I can hear the stories of the elderly from Singapore and also get some joy.
I think this can be a two-way street. I am thinking about a project in which both the elderly and the kids can gain some lasting meaning or memories.
Famous people have wikipedia entries. How about making a website with the life stories of the regular elderly? Should the stories be written down by the kids or should they be recorded by the voice of the elderly?
According to ChatGPT, interactions between the elderly and the young can be beneficial for both groups.
- Mental Stimulation: Interacting with young people can provide mental stimulation for the elderly, keeping their minds active and engaged. Whether it’s playing games, telling stories, or engaging in conversations, these interactions can keep cognitive functions sharp.
- Emotional well-being: Spending time with children can bring joy and a sense of purpose to the lives of the elderly. It can combat feelings of loneliness or isolation that may arise in old age.
- Sense of fulfillment: Sharing wisdom, experiences, knowledge with the younger generation can give the elderly a sense of fulfilment and satisfaction.
- Physical Activity: Activities with young people, such as outdoor games or taking
walks can encourage physical activity and mobility, promoting better health and well
being. - Social interaction: Interactions with the young fosters social connections, helps prevent social isolation
- Learning and adaptation: Being around young people can expose the elderly to new ideas, technologies, and perspectives.
I would like to focus on number 3, sense of fulfillment.