A chance encounter with an elderly man turned into a lesson in empathy for one woman in Singapore.

Fion Phua shared the incident in a Facebook post on June 16, 2020.

Realised elderly man can't move right hand

Phua was driving along when she caught sight of an elderly man without a mask.

After making a u-turn, she parked by the side of the road, and realised that the man had only progressed about 10 steps.

Phua then asked her companion to hand the elderly man a mask.

When he continued to hold on to the mask and did not immediately put it on, Phua wondered if he simply did not wish to wear it.

However, she later realised that the elderly man could not move his right arm or hand, while his left hand was busy clutching his walking stick for support.

Phua concluded that "there was no way he can put on the mask by himself."

Her companion then helped the elderly man to put the mask on.

Not all elderly without masks are stubborn

Phua also points out that it's important to be gracious towards elderly folks who are not wearing masks outside, as it stubbornness may not be the only reason for their non-compliance.

She also encourages those who spot the elderly without masks to ask before being quick to judge, and to help in whatever way they can.

Fixed man's walking stick

The duo also fixed the elderly man's walking stick with a "rubber stopper LED light and bicycle bells," which they did in a hurry as they had parked their car by the side of the road.

Although Phua had wanted to give him a ride home, she had a duty that she could not be late for.

You can view the full post here:

Top photo via Fion Phua on Facebook