APPLICATIONS TO INCREASE BUS, MRT FARES: Spare a thought for our elderly citizens

My letter to The New Paper  on the above matter is published today, page 20 , Sat 16 July 2011.


I cannot understand why our two transport operators (SBS Transit and SMRT) are seeking an increase in public transport fares when they reap in huge profits year in and year out.

We hear the same record being played over and over again when these operators want to justify an increase in fares: Rising fuel costs.

If our transport operators are in the red, then it makes sense to increase fares. However, there is absolutely no justification to do so now.

The high cost of living has affected many of our citizens, especially the needy and the elderly sick.

A report “1 in 3 elderly S'poreans no eating right (The Straits Times, July 15) paints a depressing picture of how our lonely elderly are at risks of suffering from malnutrition.

How can this happen in a first world country like Singapore?

Recreation is so important for our seniors and many of them depend on public transport to travel. This group of Singaporean has limited savings and need to be prudent in their spending.

By increasing fares, these seniors will have to cut down on travelling to meet friends and go for outings.

Why deprive our senior citizens a chance to live a fruitful life?

Even if our transport operators are bent on increases fares, I urge the Public Transport Council to not increase the fares for seniors who have hit 60, as every dollar matters to them.

RAYMOND ANTHONY FERNANDO

Building resilience through adversities

5^th July 2011

Mr Heng Swee Kiat

Education Minister

cc: PA: Ms Leong Hui Lan

Dear Mr Heng,

Building resilience through adversities: Talks, workshops and seminars conducted by Model Caregiver 2007 and Mental Health Champion 2010 Raymond Anthony Fernando

   Reference the above matter.

O        
           Over the past few years there have many cases of people, both young and old falling into depression and committing suicide as they are unable to cope with the stresses of life.

Re       Recently, there were calls for teachers to learn and understand mental health issues. This is often not talked about or discussed even though it is becoming a problem. The reason: stigmatization- the biggest hurdle that prevents people, even educated ones from raising the subject.

A         A reader wrote to The New Paper wrote in early this week suggesting that a good way to tackle suicide is to get adults who have experienced and overcomes adversities to talk about mental health issues to students, teachers and parents. To this end, I would to help out. Here's my proposal:

 

 Here  are 4 different types of talks that I can offer to schools and to your MOE collegues at HQ.

Th

(a) Talk: Understanding Schizophrenia - a talk on a true-life experience

In this solid one hour talk, I will cover my wife’s 37-year battle with depression and Schizophrenia, the trials and tribulations of our courtship and 37-year marriage and her miraculous recovery that enabled her to become an author of 5 books- 4 of which are bestsellers. The talk will also provide an insightful peek into caring for a loved one stricken with mental illness. I will also provide useful caregiver tips in managing loved ones with mental illnesses and what are the warning signs that people, including supervisors, caregivers, retirees, office colleagues, teachers, students, parents, employers, employees, volunteers and even a layman need to look out for in helping someone cope with Schizophrenia – said to be the most distressing mental disorder.

My talk also promotes the sanctity of marriage- caring for a spouse, “ in sickness & in health.”

The fees I charge for this talk is $250.

( b ) Talk: Depression – Beat it, Defeat it

In this 45-minute talk, I will cite some of the causes of depression, provide useful tips on how to better manage depression and what are the warning signs that one must look out for in tackling depression. This talk is also based on my own battle with depression for several years and how I overcame this illness and charted several new directions in life. Today, I am an author of 11 books.

The fees I charge for this talk is $250.

(c) Workshop: How to turn a life experience into a book.

Here, I will give an insight into how budding writers can come up with their first book. I will provide useful tips on the real world of self-publishing.

The fees I charge for this talk is $250.

(d) Seminar: The writer, the entrepreneur, the panther

A 45- minute talk in which I will provide 16 steps on how writers can market their books based on my own success story.

The fees I charge for this talk is $200.

Facilites required:

I require a LCD Projector, laptop that can screen my powerpoint slides onto a screen, windows media player with speakers to broadcast my montage (5.6 minute video), and a table to promote my *books and that of my wife (*if and when our books are available for sale)

I invite you , Mr Heng to visit my website and blogs to learn more about myself, my wife and the community work I do.

Website & Blog of Raymond Anthony Fernando 

www.rayofhope.per.sg/

PROFILE OF RAYMOND ANTHONY FERNANDO

Raymond Anthony Fernando is a motivational speaker, poet, author, trainer, songwriter, freelance television actor and a mental health activist. He is also a volunteer with the Singapore Association for Mental Health (SAMH) and IMH and the author of 11 books. Raymond is also a caregiver to his wife, Doris who has recovered from schizophrenia and depression. Raymond has 37 years’ experience in caring for his wife.

Raymond has contributed 31 years in the public service, has 15 years experience in public relations work and has received several awards & commendations from government organizations. In 1998, he was commended by the Singapore Police Force for promoting road safety in the republic. Raymond also holds a “Certificate in Public Relations” from the Institute of Public Relations of Singapore (IPRS).

Raymond has attended formal training at the Singapore Association for Mental Health (SAMH) and was awarded a “Certificate of Participation” for the “Family Link Program” conducted for 9 weeks from 19 January 2006 to 23 March 2006. He has also obtained a “ Certificate of Achievement” on 10^th October 2005 from The Social Service Training Institute for a course on “Reclaiming lives: Helping people with persistent & serious mental illness”.

I look forward to our collaboration and await your early response, Mr Heng. Together, let us manage mental illness before it manages us.

Thank you & have a nice day!

Sincerely,

Raymond Anthony Fernando

“Live like a Legend”

Give caregivers days off to avoid burnout

Raymond Anthony Fernando’s letter on the above subject is published in The New Paper today, Wed 29 June 2011 on page 20.

I support the statement by Minister of State for Community Development, Youth and Sports Halimah Yacob about giving a day off every week(Give them a break, The New Paper on Sunday, June 26.)

It is encouraging that the Government is concerned about the welfare of foreigners who lend support to our households.

But what about the welfare of family members who are looking after their elderly or sick relatives? Don’t they need some form of respite?

The welfare of this group of caregivers have been forgotten and neglected, forcing many to send their relatives to nursing homes.

Caregiving is not an easy task, whether managed by professionals or by family members.

Unlike professional caregivers, dedicated family members who are willing to care for their stricken ones, do not have days off.

Caregivers in this group work 24/7 and 365 days a year, with many suffering burnout.

An increasing number of us will get old and suffer from a variety of chronic illnesses. We must make caregiving a part of our life, not to hide it or avoid it.

It is in our best interests to have a caregiving plan as we never know when we are going to be hit by caregiving needs.

The Government must work closely with caregivers and lend a helping hand.

Suggestions

Here are some suggestions for the Government to consider that will help raise the level of caregiving.

* Provide respite care for caregivers and make it possible for them and their stricken ones to go on a holiday once a year. I am confident that sponsors will come forward to support this idea.

* Set up a hotline for seniors.

* Publish a guidance directory and distribute it among family members who are caring for the elderly.

* Introduce a reward system that recognizes caregivers who have made huge sacrifices in taking care of their sick relatives.


RAYMOND ANTHONY FERNANDO

Mistreatment at nursing home : Implement reward system for workers- Raymond A Fernando writes to the press

My letter  on the above matter is published in The New Paper today, Friday 17 June 2011, page 20.

It is shocking to read the report of mistreatment of the elderly woman in the Nightingale Nursing Home, “Nightmare at the Nightingale” (The New Paper on Friday, June 10).

To ill treat a defenceless elderly woman who suffered a stroke is inhumane and unacceptable. I am surprised that the abusers have got away with just being disciplined.

Do they not know that a woman's modesty should be protected at all cost, and that to slap a helpless old lady on the mouth can be very painful?

Was this the only time the senior citizen was abused or were there other instances?

Under the elder abuse laws, the perpetrators should be brought to court for physical, and possibly, verbal abuse.

Otherwise occurrences of such abuses will continue and some cases of ill treatment may even go undetected.

While managing persons with chronic illnesses and disabilities is not the easiest task, professional caregivers who are entrusted to care for the sick must practise patience and perseverance that can help to lift the human spirit and lead the afflicted ones to recovery.

In this respect, I propose that the Government implements an attractive reward system that recognises professional health-care workers in nursing homes who go the extra mile in caring for their charges, just as they do in public hospitals.

Caregivers should also be encouraged to visit their sick relatives frequently and to this end, it is necessary to ensure that all nursing homes are easily accessible to members of the public in terms of buses – be it from public transport companies or feeder bus services.

Caregiving, whether it comes from professional health-care workers or family members must be promoted as a noble job.

I therefore revisit an idea which I proposed a few times to the Government - give a caregiver's allowance that can help family members take on this task rather than place them in nursing homes, bearing in mind that looking after a person with disabilities or chronic illnesses requires supervision 24/7.

Unannounced visits at nursing homes and hospitals by officials from the Ministry of Health (MOH), coupled with six monthly feedback assessments from relatives on the service levels at these homes, that can be summarised by the home's administrators to MOH should also be put in place.

RAYMOND ANTHONY FERNANDO

Raymond's letter to The New Paper: "Extending primary care scheme the way to go"

My letter on the above subject is published in The New Paper today, Wednesday 8 June 2011, page 18.



Apart from housing, health-care costs is another grave concern for Singaporeans, especially the elderly, many of whom are struggling with chronic illnesses and have limited savings.

I am encouraged that Health Minister Gan Kim Yong has said that the Primary Care Partnership Scheme (PCPS) could be extended.

At the moment, subsidies for senior citizens start at the age of 65. One way to reward our seniors who have contributed to the economy is to allow the use of the subsidies from 62 instead.

Positive living

Such a move will cause less anxiety to these seniors, leading to more positive living and better health.

Extending the PCPS island-wide also makes sense as many senior citizens have difficulty getting about.

This way, low-income Singaporeans, including the elderly, who want to visit clinics will find it easy to see the general practitioner near their homes.

On a separate matter, could the authorities look into the bus stop at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH).

I hope the Transport Minister can advise the relevant bus company to re-route its present services to ply the institute's grounds so that visitors will find it more convenient to visit patients. It would be useful for the IMH staff as well.

RAYMOND ANTHONY FERNANDO

Government needs to provide respite care for caregivers and day care centres for the mentally ill

Introduction

Being a caregiver to a mentally ill person is very challenging and energy draining. However, when you are a caregiver who is not a formally trained, this can lead to unbelievable stress in your life, and it can rip apart families, marriages, parental relationships, as well as your own inner self. 

The task of a taking care of a loved one with schizophrenia or bipolar person is especially difficult and painful as these illnesses are unpredictable and requires round-the-clock supervision. It is like walking in a minefield - you never know when the bomb will explode. As the sole caregiver to my wife who has has suffered horrifically from schizophrenia since the age of 17, I know only too well how painful the journey is.

Respite care

Caregivers are at increased risk of depression and other health problems as a result of the stress of being a caregiver. It is therefore crucial for caregivers to take a break periodically. Having respite care can enable the caregiver to keep providing rather than burning out or becoming ill.

Some local governments in first world countries, like U.K. help pay for respite care for caregivers because they fully understand the burnout which the carers have to endure everyday of their lives.

Respite care is not a luxury. It is necessary for the well-being of the person in your care and for you.

In Singapore, the focus is on the patient and often the caregiver is forgotten.

The government should look into the welfare of caregivers who are prepared to walk the less travelled road.

The perfect sanctuary

Some months ago, I shared my experience as a caregiver to my wife to about 100 Catholics at the Catholic Church of St Ignatius in Kings Road. Before the talk, I was invited to rest at the garden near Kingsmead Hall. This is where retreats are held for Catholics who wish to experience a spiritual journey. The ambience was peaceful and serene. It is the perfect sanctuary for anyone who needs to find peace of mind and want to relax and get away from the hustle and bustle of the stressful urban lifestyle.

The Singapore Government could send a team over to this Church to study how it can build a similar sanctuary for caregivers who desperately need respite. Such a home away from home, with no religious teachings, can also be rented out at affordable prices for those with special needs who are unable to bear with excessive noise from upgrading works that are carried out periodically in HDB estates.

If we want caregiving to become a noble job, we need to build the infrastructure that is vital in making life easier for our marginalised communities.

Daycare centres

Try as hard as I can, I am unable to find a suitable day care centre for my wife during periods when there is excessive noise. I read with interests that the MCYS is planning to beef up the number of childcare teachers in child care centres and also to expand the number of such learning centres across the island. Yet, nobody feels it necessary to provide affordable daycare centres for recovered psychiatric patients who have also contributed much to the economy during the periods when they were gainfully employed.

Nursing homes and daycare centres need not have an environment that looks depressing and gloomy. It can be “tailored” to the retreat centre at the Church of St Ignatius (mentioned above) that will help to lift the dampened spirit and a troubled mind. Surely NTUC who looks into the welfare of workers could explore the construction of such daycare centres in the heartlands as there are many who are struggling with the stresses of life in all parts of Singapore.

There is far too much emphasis on the younger generation and so little support for our seniors that leave us feeling that we are a “forgotten lot”.

The government has assured all Singaporeans that it will listen to feedback, but it is futile to give feedback when these do not translate to concrete action.

Sincerely,

Raymond Anthony Fernando

P.S: You can write some of my stories at these links:
http://openbeast.bibliz.com/archives/28

and here:
http://openbeast.bibliz.com/archives/774

Design in Progress Exhibition - 8- 10 July @Orchard Central Level 1 Atrium

A group of SIM graduates students will shed new light on "design". They will be looking at real world issues, broadly categorised as health, environmental and social issues. With design thinking, the central thrust of the exhibit is the no...tion of design being the catalyst of change - exploring how design can be used as a means of bettering the society we live in.

The health exhibit, entitled "The Delicate Mind", deals with the Schizophrenia, the top two prevalent mental illness in Singapore. We aim to increase awareness and educate the public on this mental condition but creating environments that simulates the experiences of one coping with Schizophrenia. It concludes a final takeaway message that people coping the illness are actually just like us, just that we need learn to understand and not stare.

The environment exhibit, entitled "The Green Folks", aims at demonstrating how a green living can be easily achieved at home or at the office. It highlights the importance of how one should really just do their little bit to care for the environment by practicing sustainable living.

Finally, the social exhibit, entitled "The Inner Self", touches on the sensitive topic of inferiority complex. The exhibit aims at drawing awareness to the common social and psychological problem and using creative means to better the situation.

This is a very meaningful exhibition and it would  be useful to attend this event as the grads put in a lot of effort.
Event details:
Design in Progress

8-10 July 2011
Orchard Central Level 1 Atrium