Thursday
10th May 2012
Helping the lonely and depressed seniors to lead more meaningful lives:
An open proposal
In the Sunday Times report- “Lonely and depressed elderly cause for
worry” (ST May 6, 2012), the National University Health System which carried
out a study on the elderly revealed that although many elderly folks are living
longer, the older ones – those in their 80s are feeling lonely and depressed.
It gives causes for concern as Singapore’s elderly population is set to
grow rapidly.
Many of these elderly citizens feel worthless as, regrettably when they
are old and grey, our seniors are dumped aside like used furniture - forgotten.
My wife, Doris Lau and I are in this
predicament. Getting support for my wife is a relentless pursuit to source for
help. It’s tiring! It’s wearing me thin!
Fortunately, I’m educated and have the courage and conviction to speak
out. This morning as I was helping Doris to change her clothes, she cried and
told me that she does not know what will happen to her if I should pass on
before her. My Catholic faith tells me to trust in God, my conscience tells me
that she will be left to die all alone in our flat because this is the real
world. A society in which the mentally ill are the most neglected and shunned
in our materialistic world.
The Government, the community and the church has a moral obligation to
help our seniors in their twilight years.
One
person, a writer overseas, wrote: “I will never forget the time that I walked
into a hospital and heard the unhappy cry of an old man, "Nurse, I'm
lonely." Over and over again he expressed his need in heart-rending sobs
that touched my soul in an unforgettable way. I asked the nurse on duty,
"What's wrong with the old man?" She replied, "He has outlived
all his relatives and no one comes to see him anymore; and I can't spend all
day holding his hand."
We
can’t afford to let this happen in Singapore; although it is already happening.
Especially so when our leaders keep
saying that they want to build an inclusive society. I’ve heard DPM Tharman say
this, and I’ve heard PM Lee say this – repeatedly.
There are many ways we can help to uplift the broken spirit and I hope
that the Singapore Government and its partners will do its part to help our
silver-haired population, many of whom have been very much a part of Singapore economic
success.
Keep busy and involve yourself
The Buddhist Tzi Chi Foundation which has her headquarters in Taiwan has
thousands of volunteers all over the world. They undertake excellent community
work. Their doctors give free medical treatment to the sick all over the world.
These doctors do so because they are driven by compassion, not by making money.
And they plunge into doing charity work because
the Tzi Chi Master inculcates a sense of caring for the community.
When the Philippines experienced heavy downpours and landslides, Tzi Chi
Foundation stepped in almost immediately and helped rebuild their homes. They
worked closely with the citizens and because of their commitment; many Filipinos
are Tzi Chi volunteers; even until this very day. Tzi Chi was instrumental in
developing the community spirit in the Philippines. They have also helped out
in rescue missions in Indonesia and in Africa, feeding the poor and lifting the
human spirit with just one goal in mind- love and compassion for another human
being.
Tz Chi Foundation also reaches out to the mentally ill here in
Singapore. Its volunteers visit IMH once a month, bring food to the patients
and spend time talking to these “forgotten citizens”.
I urge the NEA & the Singapore Government to help our lonely and
depressed citizens by:
(a) Setting up recycling centres island-wide with the help of Tzi Chi Foundation
and our grassroots leaders, youths and students so that our lonely elderly
citizens can be encouraged to work at these centres and help out with recycling
efforts.
(i) At these proposed centres, they are encouraged to sort the discarded
items into different categories such as clothing; newspapers; carton
boxes/colour paper; black and white paper; electrical appliances; plastics;
metal, and glass. By sorting the items themselves, the elderly folks and our
youths/students will appreciate more about the need to recycle and also to keep
their recyclables clean.
(ii) Pay the elderly folks involved an allowance and then give them a
decent meal. Once a month have a social outing for them where singing and games
can be organized with some sponsored prizes and door gifts as a crowd puller.
(b) Next up, the church has to do more. CLARITY should get involved.
What and who is CLARITY?
Clarity
Singapore Limited is a charity organization endorsed by the Catholic
Archdiocese of Singapore, a member organisation of Caritas Singapore (CSCC) and National Council of Social Service (NCSS) that
seeks to respond to the mental health needs in Singapore through
community-based mental health care services and social programmes. Known by the
Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) as a new and rising service
provider of community-based mental health, Clarity works in collaboration with
AIC's efforts to establish an integrated Community Mental Health Support
Network in Singapore.
Everyone experiences
seasons of isolation for one reason or another. Usually we overcome loneliness
by meeting new friends, entering new social circles, or taking some other
action that reengages us with people.
Currently, CLARITY is only providing counselling services and organises talks
once in a “blue moon.” This is not good
enough, given the rising number of people developing mental illness and for
reasons outlined above.
Recreation needs are so important to those who experience isolation. I suggest that CLARITY, working with Residents
Committees and grassroots leaders, organize social outings for their clients,
including the elderly lonely.
We should not just have organisations for name’s sake. Helping our marginalised
citizens’ lead meaningful lives is the responsibility of every citizen, every organization
of this land. More so, when the Prime Minister wants to make Singapore the best
home to live in. Thank you.
This proposal goes up on my blog.
Sincerely,
Raymond Anthony Fernando
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