Recently, the Ministry of Health has announced plans to build an elder-care centre at the void deck of Block 111. This serves to help our growing population of senior citizens stay active and engaged throughout their golden years. This decision has elicited a flurry of views and opinions from residents in our estate. As the President of the Town Council, I would like to address such concerns and reaffirm that while the needs of our elderly citizens are important and must be resolved, this can be achieved without compromising the interest of other residents.
Firstly, let me briefly elaborate what an elder-care Centre is and how it functions. An elder-care is usually run by a charitable organisation and serves to take care of our senior citizens in the day time. It helps to alleviate (make less severe) the emptiness that our elderly experience and provide companionship by engaging the seniors in social activities such as karaoke and games. Not only does an eldercare centre provide them with a refuge for companionship, it also provides elderly residents with rehabilitation therapy and helps those who are recovering from injuries or in ill health to improve their mobility.
Overall, there has been a mixture of responses. Some residents have noted that younger citizens should not protest against the construction of such centres since they will enter into old age some day. Others have pointed out that the needs of the greying population are of paramount importance and citizens do have a moral obligation to place these needs over their self-centered objections, especially since our aged population could have multiple long-term implications for our nation. Indeed, the greater proportion of elderly citizens in our community would mean that changes would be made to the overall health care, social, economic and political needs of the nation as a whole.
To ensure that no disputes arise over the construction of the elder-care centre, all views must be taken into account. While elderly residents have welcomed the plans to build an elder-care centre, they have also articulated a desire to have their opinions heard. Our grassroot members have made plans to approach them for feedback before and throughout the construction process.
Firstly, let me briefly elaborate what an elder-care Centre is and how it functions. An elder-care is usually run by a charitable organisation and serves to take care of our senior citizens in the day time. It helps to alleviate (make less severe) the emptiness that our elderly experience and provide companionship by engaging the seniors in social activities such as karaoke and games. Not only does an eldercare centre provide them with a refuge for companionship, it also provides elderly residents with rehabilitation therapy and helps those who are recovering from injuries or in ill health to improve their mobility.
Overall, there has been a mixture of responses. Some residents have noted that younger citizens should not protest against the construction of such centres since they will enter into old age some day. Others have pointed out that the needs of the greying population are of paramount importance and citizens do have a moral obligation to place these needs over their self-centered objections, especially since our aged population could have multiple long-term implications for our nation. Indeed, the greater proportion of elderly citizens in our community would mean that changes would be made to the overall health care, social, economic and political needs of the nation as a whole.
To ensure that no disputes arise over the construction of the elder-care centre, all views must be taken into account. While elderly residents have welcomed the plans to build an elder-care centre, they have also articulated a desire to have their opinions heard. Our grassroot members have made plans to approach them for feedback before and throughout the construction process.
Certain citizens have raised concerns that their space has been violated. Residents are justifiably concerned about their living environment and we do understand their concerns. Steps have been taken to remedy their worries. We are planning to enhance the recreational and common facilities in the neighbouring blocks, such that residents in the affected blocks can head to nearby areas for community activities.
For citizens who are worried that increased elderly deaths in the area could be inauspicious and emotionally stressful, we would like to reiterate that the elder-care centre does not function in the same way as a hospice and these facilities serve to take care of the more healthy seniors in particular.
The void deck is common space and approval does not need to be sought from residents. I would like to caution that while we want to find the best solutions, we may not be able to satisfy everyone and some sensible compromises have to be made. We must consider the needs of the greater majority who will need such services. Thus, the needs of the eldery and their caretakers must be taken care of. The elder-care centre will go a long way in improving the welfare of our elderly citizens. I really hope to have the understanding from those affected and the needs of everyone in the community to be met in the best and most sensitive way possible.
Thank you for sharing the information.
ReplyDeleteCare centers are meant to take care of the seniors for doing their daily routine service and is also helping them to develop both physically and mentally during their old age.
Now a days, there are number of care centers who are providing the service of taking care to the seniors and I recently, came across a site on internet named as No place like home care llc who is providing in-home assessment services to elders and needy people.