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Drastic, positive plans needed to transform nursing homes

I share Dr Tan Chek Wee’s sentiments in the letter “Make nursing homes truly a home for residents” (Aug 14).

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Francis Valentine Tan

I share Dr Tan Chek Wee’s sentiments in the letter “Make nursing homes truly a home for residents” (Aug 14).

It is a great idea to run nursing homes in a more people-centric way and give residents the autonomy to make decisions on certain daily activities.

However, as a para-counsellor who has visited certain homes for the past two years, I realise that this might be a far-fetched dream.

I am often saddened that most of the elderly residents do not have a choice of food, with no way of satisfying their cravings for certain food on some days.

So, for them to have live-in animals, bar a guard dog, seems impossible.

There also seems to be a lack of suitable local candidates working in these homes. One often sees foreign workers filling the positions.

Like nurses serving in hospitals, working in a nursing home requires a calling, unlike other jobs.

It involves patience, mutual respect and, importantly, empathy with the residents.

It is common to hear from residents that staying in a nursing home comes with a loss of freedom and, sometimes, dignity. I believe this, given the shortage of eligible manpower in many of these homes.

Dr Tan’s hopes can only be realised if the Health Ministry and the Social and Family Development Ministry were to have drastic but positive plans to make nursing homes truly a home for residents.

The elderly who are sick should live with grace, which I guess is the wish of every resident in these homes. Through concerted efforts, I believe this is achievable in Singapore, a place we call home.

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