VERNICE LEE JIA LIN

Abstract

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 project

One of the main activities we were involved with was the free health screening that took place in Paya Lebar Kovan CC. Together with several doctors, we conducted the MoCA test on the elderly residents and scored them based on their answers, followed by redirecting them to the doctors if they show signs of dementia. Before this, we visited LundBeck to receive professional training on how to conduct this test, which we were able to apply into action during this screening. This was extremely meaningful as we were able to have first hand experience in dealing with the elderly in our community and we were able to witness their condition which would have a greater impact on our society as time passes due to the ageing population.

Other than that, we also managed to interview Ms Jina Williams, a patient of Dr Carol Tan, and we were extremely impressed by her achievements over the years of her life. Especially due to how accomplished she is, it was even more shocking to see that such a intelligent woman could also succumb to dementia. When we think of retirement, we think of it as a golden period where the seniors are able to let go of their hectic schedules and finally relax. What we fail to consider is that these seniors, that have been working their brains their whole life, suddenly lacked something to occupy their time with and no longer have something to use their brains on, causing the deterioration of mental health. After one's retirement, he or she has to completely change their lifestyle and it is extremely difficult to get back up and continue working especially if one has been looking forward to the opportunity to rest their whole life. It requires loads of discipline as well as a clear knowledge of what a lack of brain use would bring about to their health. In order to prevent such cases from happening, an increase in awareness of the importance of keeping one's mind active should take place and there should also be more community projects ready for the elderly to uptake and plan for.

Another activity we did was to prepare a 500 word research report on dementia for us to have some basic knowledge to fall back on and also to ensure that we were able to understand what was going on and why certain measures were taken to tackle this issue. For example, from this research we learnt that dementia is not a disease but rather a product of other diseases and represent a set of symptoms.

Lastly, we also filmed a video with our individual reflections from this attachment and what we have learnt, which would be played in the upcoming fundraising gala with Mr Heng Swee Keat attending and many other prominent figures.

Impact of work done

The screening that we participated in allowed us to assist and facilitate the process of bring healthcare closer and more accessible to the elderly.

The video that we filmed was largely based on the difficulties of dementia, LPA as well as the actions that we should taking moving forward, giving an informative deliverable to the public. This video would then be adopted by TGLC as well and would be shown to the public, raising awareness and providing crucial information.

Wow! Video (Final).mp4 (video filmed)

3 content/skills learnt

1. MoCA test

We learnt how to conduct the MoCA test which was a globally acknowledged indicator on whether one has succumbed to dementia or not. Especially in this line of work, it is a must-have skill for us to be able to screen the elderly accurately and lessen the chance of an inaccurate diagnosis

2. Video making skills

Through the production of our final deliverable, we learnt how to make use of various editing software to put the different videos together, adding in subtitles and transitions across the final video.

3. Communication skills

One of the main things that we learnt from interacting with various patients is that we have to be sensitive in the way we come across, so as to not scare them, to not treat them like they are patients and to not make them fearful of the diagnosis and treatment

2 interesting aspects

1. Opportunities are hard to come by

Due to Dr Carol Tan being a very influential member in this line of work, she was able to create many opportunities for us through her connections such as getting various leaders of their own sector to give us talks regarding the healthcare sector and their experiences in this line of work. Dr Carol Tan even gave us the opportunity to have a private interview with PAP member, Mr Alex Yeo, and also to visit one special and accomplished patient of hers.

2. Extremely heart warming experience

Our attachment also had many aspects of social work, which allowed us to connect to many patients and we were able to have first hand communication with them and through the small talks we have with the elderly, we were able to understand and empathise with how they feel regarding their body deteriorating and it really made an impact on us as while growing old is a process of life, it is still very saddening to see these elderly suffer from the side effects of ageing and having to come to terms with the fact that their mental health is no longer how what it used to be. Aside from connecting with the elderly, it was also heart wrenching for us to see the pain and disbelief flashing across the faces of their family members when they were not able to answer questions that seemed so simple as well as them forgetting what was told to them after less than a minute. This reminded us once again the importance of ageing well, keeping one’s mind engaged as well as how we should not take our health for granted.

1 takeaway for life

What we experienced throughout this attachment was what we have already learnt through our textbooks and were taught in school. But this attachment really brought what we learnt to life, and allowed us to understand the situation and condition of elderly in our society. What we cannot learn through books is the emotional and humanitarian touch to any situation and it is only through experiencing the same thing or even just observing a situation unfold that allows us to have a much stronger connection to what we are being taught about. This attachment really reminded us that there were many issues ongoing all around us and we should not remain living in the bubble that we are in but instead be proactive to step out and experience life differently and also play our part in society by contributing back to society. It was a good awakening for us teens and something that I think everyone should have an opportunity to experience.