HOME DELIVERIES AND SERVICES - A BOON TO THE HOUSE BOUND

At one time, the Milo van was the only mobile service we were familiar with. The green van still remains a ubiquitous sight at all sports functions, but the popularity of businesses on wheels has grown so much that if you name a mobile business today, chances are someone has already started it. If for some reason or other you are unable to go to the shops, the shops can come to you. From fast food delivery to home nursing care, practically anything you need is a mere phone call or a mouse click away.

Food Panda delivery is available in many countries, including Malaysia

Too lazy to cook or go out for some food? Or living alone? Check out food delivery services. If you prefer the traditional simple home-cooked meals, there are many neighborhood food catering businesses that will deliver meals directly to your house five days a week, excluding weekends.

Room Service is another option you could check out.

Too much of a hassle to go all the way to the supermarket, especially if you have to depend on public transport? Call TESCO home delivery.

Unable to go to the malls for your Christmas shopping? Try ordering from Lazada, arguably Malaysia's premier online shopping mall.

We had some groceries from TESCO delivered yesterday, and this morning my daughter received the first of several items from LAZADA. She had decided to do most of her Christmas shopping online this year. We have also ordered food from ROOM SERVICE when we didn't feel like going out to eat.

Delivered to our door step from Lazada (left) and from TESCO (right)

There are also mobile businesses that operate from vans equipped with the tools of the trade. Below are some that I have checked out personally.

Hello Handyman charges a little more for going to your house to do home repairs. I happened to catch their van in 2008 when it was making the rounds in the neighbourhood. The business is thriving as it fills a niche in the market for such services.

I thought this mobile car wash service was a great idea when I took the photos above in 2011. Unfortunately the business didn't last very long. Pity as I still think it is a viable business. Anyone would like to take it up? 

Other mobile businesses that I have spotted in the city:

This frozen yogurt van was spotted in the parking lot at Ampang Point.

Two enterprising young men, Jack and Keagen, started  this mobile fresh fruit juice business. I spoke with them in Mont Kiara some months ago. Their van is popular with those who enjoy health drinks. I can imagine brisk business at sports events and concert venues. Check out their Fruit Bank+ Facebook page to find out where they are parked daily. 

You can have your cake and eat it too on the van. This photo was taken outside KLCC in Jalan Ampang. The next time I saw it, it was in Bangsar. They should have added their URL so folks can find out more about their cakes and know where to buy them.

This van was parked opposite the Ampang LRT station. Overhead costs are very much lower if you operate your business from a van. Besides, you enjoy the flexibility of choosing your preferred locations.

If you require home nursing services, call Love on Wheels. They have been around for a few years, and have been mentioned in previous Seniorsaloud blog articles.

What mobile businesses would do well here in this region in case you are interested in starting one? I can immediately think of two.

Many senior citizens find that washing and grooming their dog can be very tiring work. They would welcome such a mobile service.

A mobile library in Singapore. Seniors love to read, and wouldn't mind paying to borrow books. Current mobile libraries should offer books that cater to all ages, and not only to children.

If this itinerant street cobbler had the capital to invest in a small van and offer shoe repair service, he would probably make more money than he does now. 

Mobile businesses have been around for decades, selling anything from food and drinks to groceries. However the new generation mobile businesses extend beyond selling food and drinks to personalized services like home manicure and massage, computer troubleshooting and cooking lessons, to name just a few. House-bound seniors are fortunate that they can now enjoy such services in the comfort and safety of their homes.

You can book for a cab via your smart phone. I have tried MyTeksi. For an extra RM2, you enjoy the security of knowing that all info is recorded. There is also Easy Teksi service.

If you are considering setting up a mobile business, or investing in one, just think of the kind of services you can offer that house bound residents and the elderly need. It is a niche market that is expanding rapidly as demographics change, with more older folks staying home because of illness, disability or just plain inconvenience.

WHY CAN'T MALLS MAKE SHOPPING AN ELDER-FRIENDLY EXPERIENCE?

The countdown to Christmas has started, and shopping for gifts is in full swing for those celebrating this festival. Mine began last Friday the 13th with a visit to the annual Big Bad Wolf (BBW) sale at The Mines Exhibition Centre. It's my third time visiting this mother of all book sales, and it gets better each time.

This year 3 million books are on sale at a fraction of their original prices. That's one book sale that's hard to beat. Of course don't expect to pick up the latest bestsellers. Still one can always find plenty of gems to cart away. I spent only RM252 for a total of 24 books. That works out to an average of RM10.50 per book.

My only complaint: there are no benches for older shoppers to sit down and rest their weary feet after hours of standing and browsing the books.

The sale ends today - Sunday 15 Dec at 9pm. Still time to catch it and get fantastic bargains!

I love books. I think they are great value for money. Not only do good books give me many hours of enjoyment, they educate and enlighten me. Best of all, books can be shared, given away or kept to be re-read at leisure. So this Christmas, books are at the top of my shopping list.

Kinokuniya understands how to keep customers coming back for more. That's building customer loyalty.

The next stop was Kinokuniya at KLCC. It's my all-time favourite bookstore in Kuala Lumpur. There is always a good crowd any time of the day at Kinonuniya. The reason - excellent customer service. The staff are well-trained to be courteous, helpful and knowledgeable about what's available and where the items are located. It helps too that the store carries a wide range of titles, many of which are not available at other major bookstores.

I have been to bookstores where the sales assistants have no clue what you are looking for. Some are just plain lazy. They point out the general direction where the item is located, and expect you to go there on your own and search for it.

Japan's nonpareil customer service makes shopping an enjoyable experience

At Kinokuniya, the sales assistants will walk you there and help you look for the particular item on the open shelves. At the BBW sale, the staff on duty even brought the book to me. I was told that the majority of the helpers were undergraduates part-timing at the sale during their semester break.

Some of the worst sales assistants I have encountered during my Christmas shopping trips were at Central Market (Pasar Seni). The typical response of untrained sales staff is a curt "Don't know", "Don't have", or "No stock". In one case, the counter assistant was so busy texting on her cell phone, she had the audacity to tell my friend to wait for a few minutes! Well-trained sales assistants will walk the extra mile. If their store doesn't carry an item you want, they will recommend a store which may have it. 

The gigantic table replete with Christmas fare of lobster, pudding and wine. Note the size of the man (arrow) in comparison.

During the past week I have been doing my Christmas shopping at the premier malls in the city: Central Market, KLCC, Pavilion, Sungei Wang, Lot 10, Bangsar Shopping Centre and MidValley Mall. My vote for the best Christmas decorations goes to Bangsar Shopping Centre. The concourse boasts a giant replica of a table filled with a Christmas spread of food and wine. Worth a visit just to see it. It's also the best mall in terms of quality and variety of Christmas fare - if price is not an issue.

The Christmas decorations at Pavilion, the city's award-winning shopping mall.

Apart from poor customer service at some of the retail outlets and department stores, the other issues for the mall management to tackle are the lack of benches and toilets for the elderly. At MidValley, for example, aside from some token benches on the concourse level, elderly shoppers will be hard put to find a place to sit down and rest their tired feet.

(Left) Time to take a rest for this gentleman while his wife is busy shopping. (Right) Grandparents minding the little ones need to sit down too. At KLCC.

(Left) Don't they know elderly shoppers can't squat?  There are also no grab bars
on the walls. (Right) What an idiotic design for a public toilet. How is anyone able to sit comfortably with that contraption in the way?

Some of you may find these photos of public toilets offensive. My apologies, but if no one highlights this problem on behalf of older shoppers, they will continue to suffer in silence. The toilets at a popular department store at MidValley are certainly not elder-friendly. There's no way elderly shoppers with knee problems can use the toilet on the left. As for the one on the right, only a contortionist can figure out a way to relieve himself comfortably. Enough said about our public toilets.

Elderly shoppers with poor vision have difficulty making out the small print on price tags. They also can't bend to select items on the bottom shelves or reach for heavy items on the top shelves. When there are long queues at the sales counter or at the ladies' washrooms, it makes sense to have a special queue for senior citizens, like is done at some banks. It doesn't cost extra to provide such conveniences for elderly customers.

This wheelchair lift at KLCC seems to be permanently under
repair which is unacceptable for a world-class shopping mall.

It is good to know that the better shopping malls have ramps for shoppers in wheelchairs, wheelchairs on loan to shoppers who require them, and toilets for the handicapped (should make these toilets available to the elderly too),

I always believe that when public places provide age-friendly or people-friendly facilities, everyone's needs are addressed, including those of the elderly. For young couples, taking their elderly parents or grandparents out on a shopping trip becomes an enjoyable family experience. There is more business for the stores, so it's a win-win situation for both customers and retailers.

Only one more comment to make. StarMetro has reported that there would be a shortage of turkeys for the traditional Christmas and New Year dinner this year. Reason - except for Brazil, all other countries, including the US and Australia, have failed to meet the stringent requirements for the import of non-halal frozen turkeys.

StarMetro's feature article on Friday 13 December, 2013. You won't find the link to it.

It's strange that the article can't be found online. StarMetro must have pulled it from its online edition. A result perhaps of the unhappiness expressed by many Malaysians over the stringent halal regulations? The question that has been circulating on social media is "Since when have turkeys to be certified halal???" 

Related article:

Making shopping pleasant for older adults

LEARNING TO ACCEPT AGEING GRACEFULLY

Botox jab to remove lines for a more youthful look.

I was recently asked if I would like to volunteer for a non-invasive anti-ageing procedure. Some doctors were doing a short training course in this field and needed volunteers to practice on. The idea of looking years younger than my chronological age was tempting, especially as it wouldn't cost me a cent.

But I declined. I was nursing a bad cough at the time. That was the excuse I gave, but the real reason was my aversion to anything that is labeled 'anti-ageing', whether it's anti-ageing procedures, supplements or cosmetics.

My grey hair then was mainly stress-related.

The only exception for me is getting my hair colored black. It had turned almost all grey within a short span of six months, brought on mainly by the stress of caring for my mom after her hip surgery in March 2011. She was also diagnosed with dementia at the same time. I was her sole caregiver.

I would have happily left my hair that shade of grey had it not been for well-meaning young people offering me their seats on trains, or helping me with my bags. It made me feel frail, tired and decrepit when the reality was I probably had more energy than those nice young people.

Anyway, I have vowed that once I reach my 70s, that's it. No more coloring my hair black. Maybe brown or silver or blonde!

I mean why go against nature? Physical ageing is inevitable, although some are born blessed with great genes that slow down the ageing process. They look terrific for their age, whatever it is. We have all met such blessed individuals and secretly admire or envy them.

Less is more when it comes to make-up. Besides, think of the money you will save. Your skin needs to breathe.

Less is always more when it comes to make-up for older women. Unless you know how to apply make-up to look younger and more natural, you will end up looking like a painted Chinese opera performer. Branded cosmetics are expensive. And wearing make-up is addictive. Once you are used to having your face all made up whenever you go out, or when you have company, you will feel naked to be seen sans make-up.

Confident older women are not afraid to be seen in public with minimal make-up or without make-up.

Confident women don't mind being seen in public without a trace of make-up on their face. They know outer beauty is only skin-deep. It is what's inside that makes them glow - inner strength of character and a positive attitude towards life.

Confident older men are comfortable with their balding patch or with going completely bald

Men are lucky - they don't need make-up to cover the wrinkles or color their hair to pass off as younger than they are. However, a word of advice - if you are balding on top, please don't drag some strands of hair to cover up the shiny pate. It's a huge turn-off for the ladies. Better to go a la Sean Connery, or go completely bald a la Bruce Willis or Yul Brynner. Some women do find bald men sexy!

Source: Daily Mail

From face lifts to breast implants, tummy tucks and more, older women are resorting to whatever means they can afford to reverse the ageing process. More men are now chasing that elixir of youth too, as evident from the rising demand for anti-ageing products for men in the market.

Alicia Douvall is the world's most surgically enhanced woman. At only 33, she already has 71 operations and 260 cosmetic procedures, with her first one done when she was only 17. At this rate, by the time she turns 50, her entire body would have been re-molded. She readily admits to being an enhancement addict. Surely this can't be considered effectively turning back the clock?

If going under the knife to look good makes you feel confident about yourself, or if you are doing it for functional reasons rather than aesthetic like dental implants, for instance, by all means go for it. Just don't over do it or you might end up looking really plastic with all that plastic surgery. Make sure you get an experienced doctor. And if you are prepared to spend on costly anti-ageing products, make sure you do the research and find out if the products are genuine and effective.

With the world's population ageing at an alarming rate, the anti-ageing industry can only go from strength to strength in terms of revenue generated. Cosmetic surgeons will likely be the most sought after of all medical professionals, as there will always be men and women who refuse to grow old gracefully.

For the rest of us who prefer to let nature take its course, just remember that growing older isn't all that dreadful if we still enjoy good health, have plenty of good friends and a family that loves us and cares about us. Think of wrinkles as lines that reflect our wealth of life experiences.

Baby boomers all. With my cousin Henry (centre) and Antares after a dip in the river at Kampung Pertak. Staying forever young-at-heart and only slightly older in other places :-)

A LITTLE HELP THAT CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE

Yesterday, 5 December was International Volunteers Day (IVD), a day set aside each year by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) since 1985 to celebrate the contributions made by volunteers, non-profit organizations and community groups to promote global peace and improve the quality of life.

Volunteerism is something that was instilled in us back in school. We joined various uniformed groups of our choice and learned about helping the needy and the less fortunate. As a girl guide and later a member of the school's Interact Club, I found community service to be rewarding in terms of the joy and personal satisfaction I derived from knowing that I had contributed in a small way to helping others.

It is sad to visit a nursing home and see frail elderly residents, bed-ridden, moaning in pain and waiting for their final days to come quickly.

Now as a retiree, I am happy to say that the spirit of volunteerism is still alive and thriving in me. And that is what led me to start Seniorsaloud - the realization that my friends and I, all newly retired, were now in a position to give back to society. We had the time, the energy and some money to do so. Since the majority of NGOs and volunteer groups preferred to support children and animal rights, and environmental causes, and hardly any NGO was interested in working with senior citizens' groups, Seniorsaloud would take up the challenge. It would be Seniorsaloud's raison d'etre to promote active ageing and lifelong learning for senior citizens. This would be the starting point towards preparing baby boomers like us for the retirement years.

Not an uncommon sight
- an elderly begging for alms in the city streets 

It is really not surprising that few NGOs and companies are interested in improving the welfare of the less fortunate elderly. Old folks are remembered only during the festive season, when companies pay visits as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme. Usually these are one-off visits, and the old folks are forgotten for the rest of the calendar year.

I may sound cynical, but this is the sad truth. Children and animals are far cuter and more cuddly than old wrinkled people, hands down. And there is a world of difference between changing the soiled diaper of an infant and that of a frail elderly person. There are two Children's Make A Wish Foundation in Malaysia, but no Elderly Persons' Make A Wish Foundation. Companies sponsor computer classes for children, but none even think of doing the same for senior citizens who are IT-illiterate.

Most old folks homes do not accept the elderly who have children, as their children are supposed to take care of their parents. The homes give priority to single and widowed elderly, and rightly so. But filial piety is in short supply these days, hence the growing problem of the homeless elderly.

Seniorsaloud is fortunate to have a small team of dedicated seniors who volunteer their time, energy and money to help organize events and activities for the seniors community. Whatever small amount we raise from these events is channeled towards helping less fortunate elderly.

For instance, last year Seniorsaloud was able to make two donations in kind, thanks to proceeds raised from our events. We bought provisions for the Tong Sim Old Folks Home in Old Airport Road. A big thank you to all the participants who made the donations possible.

Some of the provisions donated to Tong Sim Old Folks Home purchased with money raised from Seniorsaloud events.

Tong Sim Old Folks Home occupies the floor above a funeral parlour. The owner, Mr Cheong, is generous in offering shelter to the elderly who have been abandoned by their families. The more able among them look after the less able as there is no paid staff, only volunteers.

Seniorsaloud will continue to work towards raising money through our activities, and contributing our services and support to other charitable organizations who share the same mission and goals. We believe in encouraging seniors to keep themselves physically fit, financially secure and mentally sharp through living an active lifestyle and developing the right attitude towards life and all its challenges. In turn, they will be in a better position to help less fortunate seniors. Of course, we welcome any assistance across the board from any corporations and NGOs.

Seniorsaloud has volunteered at the NGOs listed below, and supported them either through promoting their activities and causes, or participating in their events. We encourage you to volunteer your services too.

• AUTORR Foundation
• Tong Sim Old Folks Home
• ADFM National Alzheimer's Caregivers Network Malaysia
• Kechara Soup Kitchen

(Top) Volunteers at Kechara Soup Kitchen in Imbi Road helping to dish out free lunch to the elderly and the needy.(Above) Packing food, raincoats and blankets to distribute to the homeless in the city.

(Left) Donations to help the elderly; (Right) Some members of Seniorsaloud team who volunteered at the official opening of the AUTORR Centre in Ampang.

If you are already an active volunteer with an NGO, but would like some help with recruiting more volunteers, do check out Do Good Volunteer (DGV). According to the website, DGV is a 'social initiative set up by The Star and Leaderonomics to serve as a meeting point for volunteers and organisations to find their match in the pursuit of doing good. On 1 August this year, the Do Good Academy was launched with the aim of helping NGOs run their organisation more effectively with a series of workshops conducted by experts on topics ranging from how to write effective proposals for grants to how to PR your organization. SeniorsAloud members have participated in and gained much from the workshops.

Do register for the above event if you would like to network with other NGOs and benefit from the workshops conducted specially to help NGOs function more effectively and sustainably. To register, click here.

Related articles:

The kitchen that feeds all who come (KECHARA SOUP KITCHEN)

A rest and recreation centre for our aged parents (AUTORR FOUNDATION)

A daycare centre that's like a second home (ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE FOUNDATION MALAYSIA)

Old and abandoned by their children (TONG SIM OLD FOLKS HOME)