about
The story behind AgeingRay
I carefully chose the name for this website, blending two interpretations: “Age In Gray” (US English), symbolizing the stage of life when we turn gray, and “Ageing Ray” (UK English), representing a ray of hope in the ageing journey.
How it all began
My passion for eldercare traces back to my childhood. At 12, I spent much of my time with my grandmother, who lived nearby. Every day, I would hold her hand and walk her to our house for meals. Though she preferred her independence, she was an integral part of my life. Perhaps it was because she doted on me, or maybe because I simply enjoyed being around her.
Even as a child, I found myself dreaming—what if I could create my own eldercare home? A place filled with warmth, care, and vibrant activities: a library, a meditation room, a Chinese garden, a pebble path, a koi pond, a chess room, tai chi classes, calligraphy lessons, local tours, a mini farm, karaoke sessions, regular health checks, and health talks. My vision grew so big that I even imagined an orphanage next to it—where children could learn from the elderly, and the elderly could find joy in guiding the younger generation.
Chasing the dream
As life got busier, this dream was set aside, yet it never truly faded. My career path subtly aligned with it—I became an ageing research scientist, led patient education programs in hospitals, organized community health screenings, and eventually managed a nursing home. In my free time, I learned caregiving and befriended elderly individuals in my neighborhood.
Many assumed that working in a nursing home brought me closer to my dream. But something felt off. I often saw employees treating their roles as just a job, lacking genuine compassion for the elderly. It left me disheartened and searching for something more.
At one point, an investor approached me with an opportunity to set up a nursing home in one of her bungalow houses. She loved my vision, and I poured my heart into a comprehensive proposal. However, as discussions progressed, she insisted on full control, sidelining my ideas. The entire plan collapsed, and she walked away with my proposal.
At that moment, my heart sank. My childhood dream, so close yet unreachable, seemed to vanish. I asked myself—what had I done wrong? I felt lost and defeated.
A new perspective
Faced with the harsh realities of funding, sponsorship challenges, and misaligned values in existing eldercare institutions, I had to rethink my approach. Could nursing homes alone truly support the rapidly growing ageing population? Would ageing-in-place be sustainable? Could multi-generational living work? A hundred questions raced through my mind.
Then I realized: if I couldn’t create a nursing home in the “Red Ocean” of competition, why not explore my own “Blue Ocean”—one that focuses on preparing future generations to age well and reduce their reliance on institutional care?
The birth of this blog
Instead of only serving a small local population, I saw an opportunity to reach and educate a wider audience through this blog. My goal is to inspire and guide the young-old (those in their 40s-50s) and even younger generations, helping them prepare for a healthy and fulfilling life beyond 65. By sharing practical and insightful information, I hope to plant a seed—encouraging early preparation for good health, financial stability, meaningful relationships, and an active lifestyle, ultimately reducing the need for caregiving (except in unforeseen circumstances).
Here, I will explore a range of ageing-related topics, including health, finance, relationships, retirement, and lifestyle. Preparing for a fulfilling old age should start as early as 40 or 50—or even earlier. The sooner we begin, the greater the benefits we reap.
This blog is my way of keeping the dream alive, in a different but equally meaningful form. I hope it serves as a guide, a source of inspiration, and a reminder that ageing is not just about growing old safely, it’s about growing well.
“One door closes, another opens. Never give up on your dreams, it may just appear in another form”
aikkia