A 'second home' for the older generation

Whether to exercise, socialise or volunteer, a new Seniors Service Centre is providing the elderly a place to call their own
by Amanda Lee, TODAY, 2 Aug 2012

Unless it was necessary, Mrs Susie Heng rarely left her Ang Mo Kio home. The 80-year-old had to stay in to care for her husband, a stroke patient, which left her with little time for recreation and exercise.

All that changed when the One Care Seniors Service Centre, run by eldercare company Orange Valley, opened near her home, a convenient walking distance away.

"It is just like my second home," said Mrs Heng, who goes there every day for about four hours to unwind with friends and take part in exercise sessions for her hands and legs. These have helped improve her mobility as Mrs Heng requires a walking aid to move around.

"(When) you come with a group (to do the exercises), you can do better," she said. "When you do it alone, you lose interest halfway."

Other activities at the centre include arts-and-crafts classes, reading sessions, mind exercises and games. Anyone over the age of 55 is welcome to walk in to sign up.

The centre, which opened in February, now has 615 members, 95 of whom live in the studio apartments next door. The remaining members live predominantly in Ang Mo Kio.

Two more of these one-stop centres - which also provide social and rehabilitation services such as legal advice, as well as seminars and talks on health - are set to open this year at Strathmore Avenue and Kang Ching Road. Another three will open next year in Havelock, Woodlands and Choa Chu Kang. 

Upon entering the centre, one will be greeted by a hum of chatter and activity. Two administrative assistants are available to help register new members or answer queries, while encouraging members to interact and make use of the facilities.

Further in is the One Care Zone Advisory Service (CAS). Every Tuesday, a CAS care adviser is on hand to provide information on community and financial support services. The office will be used as a general practitioner's clinic in the future.

There is a room for physiotherapy and another equipped with computers for members' use. The centre also sells health-related products such as mobility aids and medical accessories.

On the day this reporter visited, Mrs Amy Chan was teaching 20 members how to make flower bouquets with crepe paper.

The cheerful 70-year-old has been a volunteer since the centre opened. She enjoys taking part in the line-dancing classes conducted there and, like many, sees it as a place to form new friendships. "I make a lot of friends here that I forget their names," she said with a laugh.

Mr Long Ah-Wah, who moved into a studio apartment in the neighbouring block with his wife a year ago, started visiting the centre in May.

"I come five times a week and stay for the games (and) therapy for (the) joints," said the 80-year-old. "It keeps you busy and (your) mind occupied.

"I also make a lot of new friends. I will come because … (it is) convenient for us."

On whether it is a challenge finding people to work at the centre, an Orange Valley spokesperson told TODAY that the company has been in the eldercare industry for the past 18 years and, therefore, has access to a ready pool of manpower.

Among them is Mrs Irene Yeo, 52, a healthcare assistant who helps run the centre. She was an accountant before becoming a housewife for 23 years and decided to return to work five years ago.

"When my father (was) having liver cancer, we really (were) at a loss. We (didn't) know how to take care of him … so I told myself, if I have a choice, I am going to learn (about healthcare)," she said.

Mrs Yeo now teaches aerobic and Thera-Band exercises, and noted that her students have become more enthusiastic about the sessions as their fitness improved.

"They come very early (for the) morning session. I tell them to come at 8.45am but, at 8am, they are waiting outside already," she said with a smile.