An elderly woman living in a Toa Payoh rental flat was unable to enter her own bedroom for 15 years due to severe hoarding. MP for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC Cai Yinzhou and his dedicated outreach team intervened, clearing out decades of hazardous clutter to finally make the woman’s home safe and livable again.
Mr Cai told Petir that every Tuesday evening during his Meet-the-People session (MPS), a team of volunteers visits residents living in the rental units, especially those living alone in Toa Payoh Central. The volunteers get to know the residents personally, befriend them, and build trust over time.
He noted that residents living in rental flats often have low or no income and face multiple challenges. Some may be ill, care for young children or elderly family members, or are themselves elderly and frail.
“It can be challenging for people living in rental flats to seek help, let alone navigate support structures. When our branch volunteers—who are fellow residents—care for these residents, the residents know who they can turn to if they need help one day. They are also more inclined to receive that help” he explained. “We continue building this as an ecosystem of care.”
In early August, Daniel Yong Chin Han, Chairperson of the PAPSG team at PAP Toa Payoh Central division, led several volunteers to visit Madam J, who lives alone. After much persuasion, she reluctantly opened her door.
“When she opened the door, you see mountains of stuff with barely enough space for two people to stand. She had to crawl over clothes to reach her bed. It was a fire hazard with no escape route,” Mr Yong recalled. “We had to act. At the back of my mind, I knew if something happened to Aunty J, I wouldn’t be able to sleep at night.”
The team alerted Mr Cai to the case, and they sought to find a solution that prioritised Mdm J’s wishes and dignity. This was a unique challenge, as multiple community and religious groups had previously tried to declutter her home without success.
“I realised that it was not simply about clearing a home. We can rally many volunteers to help, but if Mdm J did not trust us or was not ready, nothing meaningful would change,” Mr Yong said.
Mr Yong and several volunteers visited Mdm J multiple times, reassuring her that they would not judge her or throw away her belongings. Through this patience, they gained her trust, and she finally agreed to let them declutter her home.
Over two Saturdays in August, Mr Cai and his branch volunteers worked from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM to help declutter Mdm J’s home.
To make Mdm J’s more livable, Mr Yong coordinated with key community partners, including the Housing & Development Board, the Agency for Integrated Care, and the Silver Generation Office. Beyond arranging critical repair works like repainting the interior, he also sourced a mix of pre-loved and brand-new household essentials to help her restart.
Mdm J told Petir that after her mother’s passing years ago, she kept things at home until they eventually occupied her entire house.
“I blocked up my [bedroom] door with my clothes. I hadn’t stepped inside for 15 years,” Mdm J shared. “When Mr Cai asked me what was inside all the boxes, I had to tell him I didn’t even know. A neighbour staying in the opposite block had even asked me why my room was always pitch black.”
Mdm J is deeply grateful to the team for their help. She admitted to being pleasantly surprised by Mr Cai’s hands-on approach, nothing that she never expected an MP to personally show up and help clean her home.
“I never clean my house. It is very dirty. I feel insecure at home. That’s why I step out of my home every day,” she shared.
Mr Cai shared that the team initially faced difficulties because Mdm J wanted to examine every single item before letting it go. However, he gradually convinced her to part with more belongings so the work could progress.
“We work as a team to ensure that Mdm J’s social and emotional well-being remained stable,” Mr Cai said. “Our team checked on her frequently after the cleanup to ensure she stayed positive. It is a true joy to see her committed to helping herself.”
For Mr Yong, leading these outreach efforts is deeply personal. Having lost his grandmother at a young age, every visit to an elderly resident in Toa Payoh feels like a conversation with her.
“They are the silent, vulnerable group left in the gaps, and there is so much more we can do for them,” he said. “When we knock on a door, we are telling them they aren’t alone and that help is available. Because we support MPS, we know exactly how to navigate the system to get these residents the help they need.”
The experience of clearing Mdm J’s home also struck a nostalgic chord. “Helping her reminded me of the Scout promise I made years ago: to do my best, serve others, and lend a helping hand to anyone in need.”
Xavier Toh Ee Yeow, the outreach team’s second-in-charge, shared how meaningful it has been to conduct weekly visits and directly support Mdm J.
“Before the cleaning, Mdm J was afraid of being home alone, worried that if an emergency struck, no one would find her,” Toh explained. “Now, she can move around her flat safely and finally feels comfortable in her own space.”
For student volunteer Kei Rui Min, it was her first time stepping into a resident’s home to declutter. She admitted feeling deep concern for Mdm J, especially after learning that the flat’s severe hoarding had previously caused electrical appliances to trip.
“It’s fulfilling. You see a different side of Singapore. When the media reports that Singapore has an ageing and loneliness problem, it doesn’t really hit you until you see it for yourself.”
Mr Cai wants to assure Toa Payoh residents who need help that he and his team are ready to assist.
“We will help you take the first step, which is sometimes the most challenging, and we will journey with you the rest of the way to make sure you are well taken care of. You may not have family, but you have neighbours, and that’s equally good, if not better. The community cares for you.”
