Elderly. Everyone can see the elder around them, whether they are strangers, their grandparents or friends. However, how many of us will actually care for them? How many of us will go the extra mile of taking care of them even though our grandparents live with us?
According to the Department of Statistics Singapore, in 2018, there are a total of 5.6 million people in Singapore, of which, 13.7% of Singaporeans are aged 65 or older. This figure also highlighted that 8.7% of them are between 65 to 74 years old while 5% are aged 75 years and above. From a study led by the Institute of Mental Health, they found out that for every 10 people aged 60 and above, one may suffer from dementia. This means that there are nearly 82,000 people in 2018 who have suffered from dementia. This may affect the elderly abysmally as they might be abandoned by their children.
Health Issues
As everyone ages in the world, we will tend to suffer from a weaker immune system, causing us to be more prone to illnesses. The elderly tend to be at a higher risk for contracting illnesses such as diabetes, obesity, heart diseases and many more. Some of them may even have other health issues such as having difficulties walking, which was snowballed from their health issues. For example, some elderly have fallen and injured their hips or legs as a result of experiencing a heart attack, causing them to be unable to or have difficulty in walking.
Loneliness
Some elderly may be abandoned by their own children due to their health issues. Some of their children may find them “troublesome” to take care of, especially when they have dementia. They might either send their parents to old folk’s homes, Senior daycare centers or some might even totally abandon their parents. This causes the elderly to be lonely and may go to the street to sleep or spend their day alone. I saw many elderly in Chinatown and Bugis who are selling tissue papers just to earn a living. However, if given the choice, do the elderly really want to sell tissue papers for a living or how many of them really want to live in old folk’s homes?
Working
In order to earn a living, some choose to work for themselves or even for their family. Despite being old, some may not be able to retire as their children might have a more serious illness or they have to earn for themselves to survive. This causes them to work in a low wage job such as a cleaner, cans collector, cardboard box collector and many more.
However, not all elderly have to do all of these. Some are able to enjoy their retirement and do what they enjoy doing.
Exercise
To live a healthier lifestyle, some elderly will go to their neighbourhood to use the exercise equipment to exercise or do tai chi with their friends. This is good for them as they get to go out of their house to do something productive instead of staying at home doing nothing. In addition, this reduces the chances of them falling ill.
Chess
Similarly, some may go out to play chess with their friends, allowing them to “exercise” their minds. This will strengthen their logical reasoning and problem-solving which will then improve their quality of life.
Maid
Despite having a maid, which some may perceive as a bad thing for the elderly, it can be seen as a good thing too. Some families may not have the time to stay home 24/7, causing them to have to hire a maid to take care of their parents or grandparents. Maids can help the elderly by talking to them, playing board games and many more. It is better than having the elderly staying at home alone. When the elderly have health issues acting up, the maid will be there to support them and can inform the family immediately.
Family
Having family members with them will be best for them. They can interact with their grandchildren, talk to their children and many more. Most or not everyone does not wish to be abandoned by their children who they spent years to raise them up. By living with them or meeting them at least once every week can make them feel better. Bringing them out, not only during big events like New Year and more, can help them not feel lonely.
From this Service-learning Project, I’ve learnt to be grateful for both my grandparents and parents. As I was brought up by both generations, I would want to repay them back in the future and not abandon them when they are old. I also learnt that there are many elderly in nursing homes and I wish to help them as much as possible by visiting them during my free time. I learnt that I can do the smallest thing to make both my grandparents and parents happy too. Even though I may feel that is insignificant, however, some acts of service such as cooking for them may greatly impact them and put a smile on their faces.
