MHAPANKAR TANMAYEE NIKHIL
Executive summary/Abstract
For my WOW! attachment, my group was assigned to The Good Life Co-operative, where Dr Carol Tan was our mentor.
Dr. Carol Tan is a geriatrician who works at the Good Life Medical Center. Since she was our mentor, we were able to learn more about the elderly in Singapore, as well as the common illnesses and treatments related to the elderly.
Background information of the organization
The Good Life Co-operative (TGLC) is a non profit social enterprise that aims to reach out to seniors 50 years and above and their families. As Singapore grapples with issues such as ageing population and rising healthcare costs, the launch of TGLC in 2014 was deemed a timely move. The Good Life’s mission is mainly to provide quality healthcare to members so they are able to live long, well and carefree. They do so by working together with reputed medical professionals to create programmes that make healthy living desirable, attainable and fun. The approach TGLC takes is more preventive in nature so as not to be over-dependent on public resources. As such, they focus more on educating the public on healthcare. Through which, they hope that the public can take greater responsibility for their own health and age gracefully.
TGLC is also one of the registered cooperatives in Singapore under the Singapore National Co-operative Federation (SCNF). The SCNF was established in 1980 as Singapore’s collective representation of the co-operative movement. These co-ops have a common goal of achieving social and economic end to benefit the community at large.
Background information of the projects / tasks
MOCA test
We were involved in helping to conduct MOCA tests for the elderly at Paya Lebar Kovan CC on the 11th of January. This project aimed to help the residents of that community by providing them with free screenings for dementia. This project was a part of a bigger program that aimed to improve the overall quality of living of the residents in that community and reduce their unhealthy years, i.e. the number of years where they have a reduced quality of living due to illnesses.
To prepare for this, all of us first visited the Lundbeck office to receive proper training on how to conduct the MOCA test. We were taken through every question on the test and how to score each question. I learnt that speaking slower and more clearly when talking to the elderly was important so that they could thoroughly understand what I was saying. When appropriate, we were told to give them examples so that they could understand the questions and how to answer them better.
My job was to help direct the elderly towards the respective tables of the doctors after they had been evaluated. I had to double check their scores to ensure that they were at the queue for the right table and usher them. I noticed a lot of the elderly thought that they failed the test which was the reason they were being directed to the doctor. We had to explain to them that since their score fell within a certain range, they needed to meet the doctor just in case, regardless of whether they were in the top or bottom of the range.
@ Paya Lebar Kovan CC
Video
Another project we were involved in was making a video about our experience over the month. We had to write and reflect on 3 takeaways we had learnt so far and compile them into a video that was 5 to 10 minutes long.We were tasked to make the video in English as well as our respective mother tongues which included Mandarin, Malay and Hindi. I wrote my takeaways in English and then translated them to Hindi.
My script in Hindi
Firstly, I wrote about how I learnt about LPA and how it can help everyone regardless of their age. I talked about how the risk of mental illnesses increased as we grew older and why it was important to choose someone trustworthy to make decisions on our behalf.
I also talked about my visit to the hospice and how it really put many things into perspective for me. I wrote about the kinds of patients the hospice and the types of services they provided these patients. The hospice aimed to improve the quality of life of the patients and their families as much as possible.
Lastly, I wrote about dementia and it’s growing significance in Singapore’s ageing population. It is important for us to know about the causes and symptoms of dementia, how to reduce such risks as well as the importance of taking the MOCA test so as to be diagnosed.
We shot videos for everyone’s best point and edited the videos of different languages together. We then grouped the clips according to the main points they were trying to make regardless of language and lastly added English subtitles for the whole video.
One of the challenges I had while doing this task was that it was tough to translate my reflection as they were into another language. Hence, certain parts of my script had to be modified but the main ideas remained the same. This video was made to showcase what we had learnt as well as to share the important information we had learnt with others.
3 content knowledge / skills learnt
The significance of Dementia and the MOCA screening test
In an ageing population like Singapore's, mental illnesses like dementia are quite prevalent and we need to know how to prevent or reduce the risk for these illnesses. Hence, it is also important for us to be knowledgeable about the symptoms and causes of dementia.
Dementia is an illness which results in the loss of certain brain functions like memory, talking, behavior and thinking. It affects our daily lives and social abilities. Although the risk factor for dementia increases with age, it can also be caused by stroke, accidents and certain deficits in vitamins.
The MOCA test is a way to diagnose patients for dementia.The test allows us to be prepared to take further action to prevent or treat dementia. A healthy lifestyle and a balanced diet and visiting a doctor are effective in prevention and treatment respectively.
Community Network for Seniors (CNS)
Upon our visit to the SGO we had the opportunity to learn more about their community network for seniors (CNS) which is available for everyone in Singapore. In this, volunteers visit seniors above 60 to share the latest news, health concerns etc. They also help keep an eye out for vulnerable seniors who may be in need of assistance. There are 3 types or seniors they cater to.
Active Ageing
For the seniors who are in good health, they provide them with services like the medical bus and educate them on how to age well in terms of diet, exercise etc.
Befriending
For seniors who may be lonely, they aim to build a baseline support system for them. These seniors are also connected to a 24/7 tele-befriending care line.
Care & Support
For the seniors who are frail, they help to coordinate social and health related support.
@ SGO
Hence, the CNS helps seniors to age in place i.e. be able to stay healthy and stay in the same place/ community for as long as possible.
Hospices
Hospices are places that house patients with terminal illnesses. This includes patients with cancer, dementia, organ failure, HIV etc. They manage the symptoms of the patients to reduce their pain and make them comfortable in the last days/ months/ years. Hospices not only focus on that patient but their family as well.
Pallative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families. It is offered early during the course of the illness along with other treatment. It is delivered by a multi- professional team, is life affirming and allows patients and families to accept and cope with their conditions.
Physical Care
Doctors, nurses, physiotherapists
Spiritual care
Clinical Pastoral Care
Psychosocial care
Art, music, speech and oher therapy aids
2 interesting aspects of my learning
Mental Strength
At places like the hospice and hospital, the passing of patients was not uncommon. A lot of doctors and staff worked very hard to cure their patients or to ease their pain but they had to deal with not just one but numerous losses. After spending so much time with the patient, their loss was bound to affect the staff.
Although this may have taken a toll on them, they were professional and did not let it show. They continued to work and do their best for other patients. To help them move on some hospitals offer therapy for not only patients but staff as well as the mental state of the staff can also be easily affected.
Caring and understanding nature
The staff at the hospital and hospice were very caring and treated every patient with an equal amount of love and patience. The patients too, like everyone else had their good and bad days, some more than the others. Regardless of how the patients were feeling and how cooperative they were, the staff and carers selflessly helped them do what they needed to feel better or deal with their illness.
The carers were understanding and knew that every patient is different but still needs to treated properly and cared for.
1 takeaway for life
Good Health
When I was faced with and learnt about how age can affect our health negatively, I realized just how immensely important good health was and how large a role health played in reducing the risk factor for many illnesses. A healthy lifestyle is very helpful, especially in the long run. This includes a balanced diet, active lifestyle as well as a positive mindset.
Eating healthy and frequent exercise are well known ways to increase physical health but mental health plays an equally important part. Although stress is good in small amounts, it can take a toll on your mental and even physical health in the long run. Sudden or extreme emotions too aren’t good for our health. Talking to and confiding in loved ones or visiting the doctor can serve as a form of treatment for certain troubles regarding mental health. When our body is healthy and strong, the probability of contracting illnesses decreases.