Integrated eldercare centre opens in West Coast

SINGAPORE — A new eldercare centre offering a suite of services for the elderly like dementia care and community rehabilitation opened today (April 11) in West Coast.

Since the SASCO Integrated Eldercare Centre started taking in clients in January, it now cares for about 60 seniors.

Channel NewsAsia spoke to Mr Rakiban Idik, who suffered a spinal injury seven years ago and had to be on a wheelchair. Although he lives in the West, he spent much time travelling to Tembusu Home at Buangkok for rehab.

As such, the opening of this new centre, which is a stone’s throw from his home, had made it more convenient for him to receive care. He attends the sessions thrice a week.

“We have a lot of activities. One important thing is, in the morning, they will ask: ‘Have you passed motion? Have you taken your breakfast? Everything okay?’ And they will ask you to do exercise. So from what I see, it’s really good for us,” he said.

While the elderly are cared for in the day, they can return home to their loved ones in the evenings.

Said T Thilaga, Senior Centre Manager at SASCO Integrated Eldercare Centre: “The fact is they are going back to sleep in their own bed and their children are there so that creates the happiness. Moreover, when the elderly are admitted to hospital, we have a rehab centre where they come for two-hour rehab sessions. Our physiotherapist tailors it according to their ability.”

The suite of services include assistance with showering and eating as well as nursing care. Depending on their needs, the elderly clients will also have personalised care plans designed by the centre to improve their functional abilities.

For example, elderly clients who are more weak can be cared for under the Singapore Programme for Integrated Care for the Elderly (SPICE), where a multi-disciplinary team comprising medical, nursing and allied health professionals will see to their more complex care needs.

Said S Iswaran, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister for Home Affairs and Trade & Industry: “Having this range of services at the community level makes it more accessible because it means that for people with diverse needs, there’s a facility in the neighbourhood. At the same time for the families, it gives them peace of mind. Several family members mentioned to me that they feel so much more reassured that their elderly mother or father is here at this centre receiving very carefully delivered care.”

To help busy caregivers, the centre staff will also accompany the elderly who are staying nearby to the centre. The centre also provides specially-outfitted vans for those on a wheelchair. CHANNEL NEWSASIA