I REFER to last Saturday's article, 'Perception gaps in views on elderly'.

We are entering an era of ageing population. And it is alarming to know (from the Council for Third Age survey) that seniors (aged 65 and older) are not positive about relying on their family, and the young (aged 16 to 24) are least willing to play a part in caring for seniors.

We see family outings where the old folk, together with a maid, wait at the corner of some eatery to be picked up only after the rest of the family have enjoyed their outing and decided to head home.

While there are many initiatives one can think of to engage a family, I would like to focus on the basics - educating the younger generation. We would be naive if we choose to abandon our parents and expect our younger ones to look after us when we grow old. Remember the phrase: 'Children see, children follow'.

I appeal to the authorities to look at the survey findings and come up with appropriate programmes to address these issues. I have total confidence they will be able to do so.

At the citizen level, I have set up Holdinghands (www.holdinghands.sg) to promote filial piety in a personal capacity. I do not have the power to change society overnight, but I just want to remind the population that we too will grow old one day and I hope we will hold our parents' hands and walk with them as they walked us when we were toddlers.

Tan Chin Hock

This article was first published in The Straits Times.