Connected and Confident

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When Mdm Jackie Cheng, 65, first found a flyer tucked into her front gate two years ago, she didn’t think much of it. It advertised something called the IM-OK tablet, part of an eldercare technology initiative by Lions Befrienders. Curious, she decided to drop by their Active Ageing Centre. She didn’t expect it to change her lifestyle completely. Today, Jackie is a familiar face at Lions Befrienders. She happily points out the spaces that she frequents at the Bendemeer Active Ageing Centre: there, on Mondays, she does qigong. Tuesdays, resistance band training. Wednesdays, lion dance.
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“One of the reasons I’m here is because the staff pays such personal attention to every person,” she says.

“They know who likes what, and they invite us for things that suit us. There’s a beautiful personal touch. It makes you feel wanted.”
That same spirit drives TechCare, the innovation arm of Lions Befrienders. Launched in 2020, TechCare looks at how technology can support the wellbeing, independence, and dignity of older adults – from health-monitoring stations in community centres to the IM-OK home tablet that Jackie now uses. Designed to prompt seniors to check in daily, the
tablet alerts caregivers if something seems wrong.
“I have vertigo and you just don’t know when it will strike,” she explains. “Last year, it was really bad. I couldn’t get out of bed. The tablet notification went off, my nephew called me, and I managed to tell him I was feeling really, really bad. He came over to check on me.”
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Jackie is one such senior who isn’t afraid to speak up, and when she attends tech talks and workshops, Hazwan is grateful for her openness. “He encourages me to speak my mind,” she shares, “and they create a safe environment for all of us to do that.” “She’s brutally honest,” he says with a grin. “She gives a lot of feedback and ideas, she pushes and drives our creative juices,” he says. “She puts me on the edge of my seat and challenges me to be better.”
Jackie’s voice has become an invaluable part of the innovation loop. She’s also looking forward to the upcoming Tech Champions programme, where seniors help their peers learn about tech. “Tech is the way to go, but there are great challenges,” she admits. “Some of the seniors are fearful. It’s not easy to overcome.”
The tablet is part of a larger eco-system with a simple goal: to help seniors live safer and more connected lives at home. The process is anything but basic. “We identify gaps in eldercare, come up with solutions, and innovate technology to meet those needs,” says Hazwan, the Lead Innovation Catalyst for TechCare. People often assume seniors are resistant to technology, but that’s not Hazwan’s experience.

“Some are afraid of tech, yes,” he says. “But some also enjoy it — they just haven’t had the chance to learn.

What’s rewarding is seeing them grow confident enough to try new things, and they feel empowered to give feedback or even criticism.”
But she’s seen that change is possible. With time, encouragement, and the personal touch that defines Lions Befrienders, seniors gain confidence. For Hazwan, those moments of transformation are what fuel his work.
“It takes perseverance to overcome resistance,” he says. “My perseverance is fuelled by the results – seeing the skills being learned and used, and seeing the seniors smile. That’s what motivates me.” Jackie puts it simply: “I feel very blessed to be part of this cycle.” The heart of TechCare isn’t just a tablet or a data point: it’s conversation and connection. And every day, it’s helping seniors like Jackie live life more fully, more safely, and more joyfully.

“We identify gaps in eldercare, come up with solutions, and innovate technology to meet those needs.”

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