Octogenarian Kwan Ah San, 81, couldn't wait to try on his new glasses yesterday. This will help me to better read my letters and watch television," he said.

He was among 40 elderly residents to receive free spectacles presented to them by MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC Indranee Rajah at a Christmas celebration lunch at Jalan Bukit Merah yesterday.

They also received wheelchairs and walking sticks, provided under the Seniors' Mobility And Enabling Fund, rolled out by the Agency for Integrated Care. The fund aims to provide comprehensive support for elderly residents to remain mobile and live independently in the community.

Yesterday's event was the culmination of a three-month outreach effort by grassroots bodies.

Volunteers visited more than 900 households in five rental blocks in the Tanjong Pagar and Tiong Bahru areas to inform residents of the subsidies that they can receive for assistive devices under the fund.

The Thye Hua Kwan Senior Activity Centre and students from Nanyang and Ngee Ann polytechnics had helped to arrange eye and mobility screenings for the seniors in September. Another 50 residents will be undergoing screening soon.

Madam Amina Abdullah, 75, who has cataracts, said her condition is not serious enough to be operated on. However, her new spectacles will help alleviate her poor vision so she can cope with her daily chores. "I'm grateful for the support given to me and my family," she said.

PEARL LEE