The December emergency card event ended up being a really meaningful experience for me. While it took much longer than I expected, I still think it can be counted as successful in the end because everyone eventually completed their card. That said, the process showed me a lot of areas where I need to improve. Many seniors were confused about what the card was for, what steps they were supposed to follow, or what I was asking from them. Some even thought I was trying to sell them something or take their personal information, which caught me off guard at first. Thinking about it more, there is probably a reason they felt this way, whether from past experiences or general caution, especially when it comes to personal details.
As I went table by table, I also realized how many seniors don’t remember their home address or important phone numbers. Most of that information is stored in their phones, so they rely on WeChat and other apps where they can just tap a name and call. Because of this, I spent a lot of time helping people search through their phones to find the right contact information. This slowed the event down, but it also helped me understand how dependent many seniors are on technology for everyday tasks.
Another thing that stood out to me was how many seniors live alone without their children, which felt especially significant given Asian cultural expectations. It made the purpose of the emergency cards feel even more important and necessary. Overall, this event taught me a lot about communication, patience, and understanding the perspectives of the seniors I work with. For future events, I plan to explain things more clearly from the beginning, possibly using a short slideshow and repeating key points multiple times so the process feels smoother and less overwhelming for everyone involved.