Under the Blue Helmet project, we discussed opportunities for SilverHairs to remain active, make use of their skills and experience, stay in contact with the world and be able to be compensated for the part-time work. To be honest, we have not been successful, due to companies not accepting over 45s in their payroll.
Eldersitters was identified as one area to go into, whereby fit and healthy seniors offer companionship services to elderlies in their homes. We have since identified a pool of eldersitters, and will be starting our advertising programs soon.
At yesterday’s SHC monthly gathering, a couple of ladies discussed the possibility of offering nanny services or confinement care ladies during the weeks before and the one/two months after delivery to young couples who need help during an important time of their lives. I thought this is a wonderful suggestion, and would like to pick this idea up. However, I am not a woman, so I dont know what is involved and required. My wife had the help of her sister, but what about the many young families who may be searching around for a confinement lady.
I am sure many SilverHairs ladies retired have experience in this area of birth and looking after newly born babies. Please share your thoughts on this project. If it makes sense, we can offer this as a service to young families in Singapore.
And, if you like to be a confinement lady or nanny, please contact terences@SilverHairsClub.com. If you can state some of your experiences, this would be great.
On the same note, if you are looking for a confinement lady or nanny for your married children, please do contact me too at the same email.
Under this project, if we go ahead, this will be paid services. If you like to manage this service, do let me know. This project will be directed to SilverHairs Enterprise PL.
Terence Seah
Hi Terence
Sorry for borrowing this thread to give some comments on your new shc forum page.
I’m trying to get used to this new format. If you don’t mind, my sincere comments. I find it a bit difficult to read as the words are rather small and the background is too dark (bright red). Maybe, I’m finding it difficult to move out of my ‘comfort zone’, being so used to the previous format or getting older by the day and thus having poorer eyesight. Hee2
Best regards,
Gabriella
Hi Gabriella,
I think my guys turn it on to test our eye-sight. These young people think that 9 point fontsize is readable. They cannot understand why we have difficulty. Even 12 points is a difficulty for me.
At least, we know you are online. Haha. I believe it is back to normal, as they think nobody is online in the day time.
Terence Seah
Hi Terence #2
I glad it’s back to normal. I view the forum page a few times a day as I find it rather interesting! Past-time2… I’ll check my emails, facebook and the shc forum page a few times a day as I move in and out of my house. Ha3
Wow Terence,
Was browsing through the ST papers this morning and saw the ELDERSITTERS Advert……with:
Online bookings at SilverHairs-Enterprise.org
Wow….hope this project will take off well and succeed.
Hi Ivan #4,
Got to say you are pretty observant. At least, you are one of those guys who read newspapers. I have been in the newspaper industry for the last 35 years, and I am concerned this is fast becoming a lovely sunset industry.
I have placed a number of advertisements for Eldersitters services in the Straits Times and Today for the next one month. The response is good, and I am testing which days of the week to continue advertising. Obviously, they are not cheap, but this is one of the ways to find out the public’s interests in Eldersitter services.
The targets are young working families of Elderly parents. These working adults may be busy, or just got a short transfer out to another country, or just need a night out with friends. We target a segment of Singapore society who may find Eldersitter services viable.
Over the coming months, we would also target to provide nanny services, confinement ladies, running errands and other services which fit and healthy seniors can provide.
This project costs quite a sum to get started; so any help you can give, I would appreciate it.
Terence Seah
Hi Terence,
As you have mentioned above that this project costs quite a sum of money and you are right.
Adverts are costly. Do you intend to collect back some commission to cover this ad costs?
Also in this day and age, the service providers need to be covered by Insurance- sitters or confinement nannies.Best if these Ladies are trained to give the right Support to new Mums.
Just sharing info only. I certainly believe that you already are aware of these pointers.
Happy recruiting for the Nannies. There is a market for Trained personnel in this field.
Geok Suan.
Hi Geok Suan,
We definitely have to cover the costs of admin, sales and marketing. But, we will try to reduce the admin with self-help from participants.
For the beginning, the plan is to offer services from members who have had the experience only.
Terence Seah