NUR WARDAH ATHIRA BTE AHMAD

Activities Done

Pre and Early Attachment

Before the attachment began, we watched informational videos on dementia and depression made by Lundbeck. Using the information given, we individually wrote a reflection on the topic and in groups, did a research on either dementia or depression.

Visits & Tours

We visited places to learn more about what is being done for the elderly. For example, we visited Mt Alvernia Hospital, where Dr Alice introduced us to TGLC and Ms Rose Goh taught us about Clinical Pastoral Care, Assisi Hospice to experience the living conditions and activities that are provided for patients that live or spend time there. Lundbeck Office to learn more about its role in the community. We also sat in Mr Alex Yeo's session about the LPA at Paya Lebar Kovan CC (PLKCC). We also spent time at the Silver Generation’s Office (SGO) to know more about the current situation of the elderly in Singapore and what we can do as a member of the community.

Interviews

Apart from tours and visits, we also went to conduct interviews. First with Mr Alex Yeo, to go in-depth about the grassroots programme that he leads, the importance of the LPA and also we touched briefly on what the youth can do for the foreseeable future. We also carried out a second interview with one of Dr Carol Tan’s patients, Mrs Jina Williams who shared about her life. From being actively involved in work at the Singapore Kennel Club to living a quiet life now, we have learnt how it has impacted her mental health.

Screening

Additionally, on 11th of January, we also helped screened elderly of the Paya Lebar community at Paya Lebar Kovan CC for dementia and depression using the MOCA test.

Impact of Work Done

Aside assisting in conducting the MoCA screening that only affected elderly of PLKCC, we decided that our final deliverable would be a video. We filmed all 10 of us sharing our reflections on the attachment and edited them into a short video. In the video, we touched on topics such as the importance of the LPA and how it should be used more widely in the country, what we have learnt about the ageing population from the attachment, how illnesses such as dementia and depression will impact us. We also talked about how we were able to delve deeper into what goes on in such a project. Finally, we also highlighted the aspect of living life to the fullest and cherishing our time and also loved ones before we pass on.

(Video is on TGLC section of website)

3 Skills I've learnt

1. Through the training conducted by Dr Keira, I learned how to properly screen someone for the MOCA test. Not only was it something I knew nothing of prior to the attachment, but I also learnt how to be patient with the elderly. It is very crucial to phrase our sentences politely but also with words that they can understand. It was a very new experience that I cherished as I feel that it was a very good opportunity in learning how to socialise with the elderly.
2. In preparation for our interviews, we had to carefully craft our interview questions. Initially, we had a different list of questions. Only upon further discussion among the group, we had to filter and only choose only certain questions. For example, as we realised that we want more information on LPA, we made our interview questions for Mr Alex Yeo focus on LPA. As a result, I learnt an important skill that is to choose the best and relevant questions that will give the best and wanted answers. It is important that we craft our questions with relevance to ensure that the interview will be productive and add to our project.
3. At the start of the attachment, Dr Carol Tan shared with us videos on dementia and depression. Alongside, Dr Alice (working in TGLC) gave us brochures on Alzheimer’s Diseases (AD) and depression. From these materials, I have learnt how AD relates to dementia; dementia is a group of illnesses that includes AD. I also learnt the causes of dementia which is the damage of brain cells that leads to a decrease in capability. Furthermore, I also learned about the medication one can take for treatment, such as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and NMDA receptor antagonists that respectively raise levels of a chemical in the brain and protect the brain from over-stimulation by a chemical that can damage and eventually kill brain cells.

2 Interesting Aspects

1. Prior to the attachment with TGLC, my knowledge of the health sector for the elderly was very narrow, mainly focusing on doctors, general practitioners and subsidized clinics that are located in several neighbourhoods. Having only spent collectively a few days visiting different organisations and meeting with different key figures in the project, I have learnt how expansive the network is. I know that what I have seen is barely the tip of the iceberg, it was overwhelming to see the efforts of different parties involved. To think that it would not stop at medical centres such as TGLC, Assisi Hospice, it extends to volunteer groups such as SGO and extends further to Mr Alex Yeo, who oversees PAP branch in Aljunied GRC, lawyer and a grassroots leader is truly commendable. It was truly insightful to see the amount of work and people in this project working together to tackle the issue with the same end goal in mind.
2. It was very eye-opening to see that not only Dr Carol Tan but also others around her have multiple roles in managing these projects. Next to being a geriatrician, Dr Tan was a policymaker with the Ministry of Health, Singapore and held concurrent appointments in the Epidemiology and Disease Control, Integrated Health Services and Health Finance Divisions. She served as Deputy Director (Elderly and Disability Policy), Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports and worked on the Prime Minister Office (Ageing) portfolio. She developed the Wellness Programme to promote Active Ageing. She was part of the government-led Ministerial Committee for Ageing team adopting Whole of government approach to ageing. She was also involved in the setting up of the Office of Public Guardian working with many stakeholders to protect vulnerable seniors across the health-social-legal continuum. Her involvement as a policymaker included policy planning, service development, financing and licensing, regulation. Adding on, Mr Alex Yeo who not fulfils his job in overseeing the PAP branch in Aljunied GRC, he goes beyond his job scope and provides residents with his pro-bono services. These examples show that our impact on the community can only be defined by ourselves. No matter what we work as we can always do more to provide for the community as long as we are willing to do it