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Singapore’s population has been ageing rapidly.
In a Singapore Government report released in September 2022, 18.4 per cent of its population was aged 65 and above. By 2030, the report estimated that this number would be increased to 23.8 per cent, which is nearly one in every four citizens.
Coupled with lower birth rates and more Singaporean adults being single, there will be a higher dependency on both community and Government support in years to come. At his 2022 National Day Rally, Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong too warned that Singapore must be prepared to take better care of the elderly.
In line with its mission of serving the vulnerable with love and compassion, caring for the aged especially in dementia care has been one of The Salvation Army Singapore’s focus areas.
The Peacehaven Nursing Home was opened in 2000, to offer professional medical and nursing care and a comprehensive range of services such as therapy and social work to care for the unwell who have physical or mental disabilities, with little or no necessary caregiver support at home. Most of its residents have multiple chronic conditions, including combinations of dementia, schizophrenia, depression and physical disability.
Staff at the nursing home are both passionate and compassionate. Amy Leng, who has been serving at the nursing home since 2006, is one such example. To help boost the elderlies’ confidence level and to hone their motor skills, she constantly comes up with creative ways such as craftwork, gardening and music movement, to engage those under her care.
“It helps if I see them to be like my own parents. They need a lot of encouragement to take a new step forward at their age,” said Amy.
Many of those serving at Peacehaven share Amy’s view of regarding the residents as their family. Mdm Low Mui Lang, current Executive Director of Peacehaven: “Perhaps our most tragic resident is the unnamed man. We called him Adam. Found on the streets, unable to care for himself, he was taken to the hospital and eventually referred to Peacehaven for long-term care. He could not move, speak or hear. No one knew who he was or where he came from. We did not even know his nationality or his age, but doctors estimated that he was Chinese and in his sixties. We were his family until God called this man ‘Adam’ home.”
Mr Tan another resident with dysphagia, a swallowing condition that sometimes accompanies advanced stages of dementia, added, “At 88, I am so grateful that I can maintain some level of independence. I am still able to enjoy food that I like. Above all, the care is so holistic, from emotional to physical and spiritual. I do not need to worry so much about my family members too as the care team keeps me in contact with them. I am blessed to receive this care from The Salvation Army.”
As far as possible, The Salvation Army had believed in the need to help in a financially sustainable way. ‘In the early days, the Army was given the responsibility of managing the King George V Silver Jubilee Fund by the government, for helping destitute people. The Army did this for many years,” said Lt Col Tan Thean Seng, the former officer commanding.
The Salvation Army also started the Peacehaven Day Centres in Bedok and Changi to provide early intervention through its Integrated Home and Day Care programme, so that the elderlies can continue living in the community for as long as possible.
The Peacehaven Jade Circle Arena, a purpose-built residential and community care facility focusing on autonomy, choices and dignity, was unveiled in 2015. It comprises an intergenerational lifestyle club, a residential facility and a dementia care-training centre. The Peacehaven Jade Circle Arena is also an Active Ageing Care Hub that provides support to seniors in the neighbourhood. The Salvation Army had always believed in caring for the elderly in the community, not just residential care.
The Peacehaven Bedok Arena, an eldercare dementia community-based centre to help the elderly stay physically, mentally and socially active, was opened in 2022 to augment The Salvation Army’s suite of services for the aged. “Dementia care training is a key area of development in the future and our award winning programmes means that we are on track to providing dignified and compassionate care; much more than just meeting their physical needs,” said Mdm Low.
