Aging
This has always been a favourite subject of mine, in photographic projects. I did a photo story on a home for the elderly for my Photojournalism module in NTU, and I like talking to old folks, not those grumpy ones of course.
3 incidents, 2 of which happened in a day set me thinking about what I will be doing 20 years later.
I covered the story of a job fair for the elderly on a Saturday afternoon. It was organized for those above 50 years old. The turnout of over 500 in 4 hours was more than expected. I was among the aunties and uncles as they looked through the list of jobs on the board and enquired about the qualifications required. Types of jobs offered are mostly cleaning, security, fastfood outlets, hotel chambermaids. Not much of prestige, but Im glad there are such jobs left for our elderly.
20 years on, a job as a security guard might not seem as bad as it is now. I can see how expectations and one's arrogance can change with age. But that was not the case for a few. I overheard a man in his 50s saying to a staff who tried to help him on his job search, "I was a supervisor, do yo have any supervisory job?" The staff was patient and asked what type of job does he do as a supervisor?
I respect those who came and tried to find a job. I hope to be able to do that when my time comes.
The 2nd and 3rd incidents were more heart-wrenching. I just finished a job at Chinatown and was walking to the carpark when I saw that an old man has defecated in his pants. He was holding onto a piece of newspaper and trying to clean the floor and himself as he walked away. I watched him from a distance, and he seemed to be senile but knows what he should be doing. The packet of tissue in my pocket won't help much. He walked away along the backlane, trying to find a washing spot. All I could do was to try observe from a distance so that he would not feel embarrassed. I guess he must be feeling unwell.
The last incident happened about an hour later. I was buying food at a foodcourt when the cashier suddenly looked behind me in shock. I turned around to see an elderly man lying on the floor. He passed out for a moment and by the time a few of us around helped him to his seat, he had regained consciousness. The security was quick to take over the situation and called for medical help. The old man seems ok, he was alone this time, but I hope there will be others around should it happen again.
I thought about all 3 incidents together and how they are linked.
3 incidents, 2 of which happened in a day set me thinking about what I will be doing 20 years later.
I covered the story of a job fair for the elderly on a Saturday afternoon. It was organized for those above 50 years old. The turnout of over 500 in 4 hours was more than expected. I was among the aunties and uncles as they looked through the list of jobs on the board and enquired about the qualifications required. Types of jobs offered are mostly cleaning, security, fastfood outlets, hotel chambermaids. Not much of prestige, but Im glad there are such jobs left for our elderly.
20 years on, a job as a security guard might not seem as bad as it is now. I can see how expectations and one's arrogance can change with age. But that was not the case for a few. I overheard a man in his 50s saying to a staff who tried to help him on his job search, "I was a supervisor, do yo have any supervisory job?" The staff was patient and asked what type of job does he do as a supervisor?
I respect those who came and tried to find a job. I hope to be able to do that when my time comes.
The 2nd and 3rd incidents were more heart-wrenching. I just finished a job at Chinatown and was walking to the carpark when I saw that an old man has defecated in his pants. He was holding onto a piece of newspaper and trying to clean the floor and himself as he walked away. I watched him from a distance, and he seemed to be senile but knows what he should be doing. The packet of tissue in my pocket won't help much. He walked away along the backlane, trying to find a washing spot. All I could do was to try observe from a distance so that he would not feel embarrassed. I guess he must be feeling unwell.
The last incident happened about an hour later. I was buying food at a foodcourt when the cashier suddenly looked behind me in shock. I turned around to see an elderly man lying on the floor. He passed out for a moment and by the time a few of us around helped him to his seat, he had regained consciousness. The security was quick to take over the situation and called for medical help. The old man seems ok, he was alone this time, but I hope there will be others around should it happen again.
I thought about all 3 incidents together and how they are linked.
posted by Kwang Peng at 8:34 AM
1 Comments:
What you have witnessed is sad indeed... well... its also a sign of you aging too...(thinking now like an old man) :P Stay young at heart! liqing
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