LIM XIN YI

The project which we were involved in focuses mainly on understanding and putting ourselves into the eldercare industry, specifically to help the elderly prevent common illnesses such as dementia and depression. The Good Life Co-operative, partnered with Paya Lebar Kovan CC, has had this project running since November 2019.

The task that we were engaged in for this project was screening the seniors of Paya Lebar Kovan with the MOCA test which tests for any cognitive impairment such that the seniors can be diagnosed earlier and seek treatment if necessary. We were also assigned to attend tours and briefings regarding some eldercare facilities and programmes as well as conduct interviews with the various stakeholders of the project.

This is a very valuable and relevant project with Singapore's rapidly ageing population increasingly facing more problems with ageing and unhealthy years, awareness regarding common illnesses should be raised and brought to attention, encouraging an active lifestyle to prevent falling ill.

Clinical Pastorial Care is a journey of spiritual healing with patients and loved ones, encouraging them to share their story and from there providing them with support in whatever way that is meaningful at the point of time. This can be from helping patients take control of their situation to praying with or for the patients when the need to arises.

Pastoral Care is about the presence and the relationship a counsellor has committed with the patient. They are there to provide a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on. Which is why it is important that the counsellors are strong emotionally such that they are able to provide support for patients going through their various problems, without they themselves being affected. Counsellors also has to be non-judgemental, never condemning, condoning and conquering the issues raised by the patients.

One of the most important traits of a Pastoral Care counsellor is empathy. Being able to put oneself in the shoes of others and understand the patients. More often than not, it is easy to feel but hard to express. Hence Ms Rose Goh explained that at the end of the day despite being empathetic, we often are not able to understand the full depth of what someone is going through. We have to remind ourselves that everyone is different, and that despite having similar circumstances, there will be drastically different responses from different people, which is why we should learn to listen. Listening is Empowering. Sometimes all someone needs is for others to be there to talk to and by listening we can also better comprehend one's situation.

The LPA is a legal document which allows a person who is at least 21 years of age ('donor'), to voluntarily appoint one or more persons ('donee(s)') to make decisions and act on his/her behalf should he/she lose mental capacity one day. A donee can be appointed to act in the two broad areas of personal welfare and property & affairs matters.

• Early preparations to protect your interests should one become vulnerable one day.
• Enables you to make a personal, considered choice of a trusted proxy decision maker, who is reliable and competent to act in his or her best interests.
• Alleviates the stress and difficulties faced by loved ones who need to apply for a Deputyship order, if you lose mental capacity without an LPA in place.

The LPA is not the same as a will. LPA is only activated when one loses their mental capacity while a will is activated only after one has passed on.

Assisi Hospice focuses on Palliative Care which is an approach that aims to improve the quality of life of patients and families facing problems associated with life threatening illnesses such as cancer, dementia, HIV et cetera. To ensure comfort and dignity towards their last days, Assisi Hospice aids in symptom and pain management whilst respecting the choices of patients by providing autonomy with a strict no restraint policy.

The care is delivered by multi-proffesional team with an interdisciplinary workstyle, with people such as but not limited to --- specialised doctors, nurses, physiotherapist, therapists, pharmacists, volunteers, clinical pastoral care counsellors.

The three main services aimed to cater to different patients according to their needs are home care, day care and inpatient care, however all of which requires a referral from doctors.

Established in 2016 to help evolve the landscape of facilitating ageing in place, the main objectives of the SGO is to synergise with SGO systematic outreach, provide last-mile coordination and build Infrastructure for community care.

The SGO acts as a ‘front’ office that conducts systematic outreach by SG Ambassadors while the Community Network for Seniors (CNS) acts as ‘middle’ office, a community intergrator though building of strong partnerships across health-social agencies and tightening care coordination to ensure last mile delivery.