I READ the article titled Lost soul of the old, by Q (Star2, Oct 19) with trepidation because what every senior citizen fears most is being forced to stay in a nursing home.
Such homes are for those who need some assistance in their daily living.
There is very little difference between one nursing home and another because in most homes – usually housed in bungalows in towns and housing estates – two or more senior persons are cramped into one room without any personal space for privacy. Often, there is no provision for recreation, relaxation and interaction.
Placed in such an environment, the feeling of abandonment and isolation becomes even more acute, especially when loved ones fail to show up as promised. This diminishes the will of the elderly to live.
Nowadays, most families are facing hard times. Children who have elderly parents have to work harder to make ends meet. Sometimes, the shortage of maids means that they have no choice but to send their old folks to nursing homes.
If such homes can provide part of the solution for families today, why not revamp and improve them to provide better health care for the senior residents?
In Australia, there are retirement homes, villages and resorts. Each one offers basic facilities like food, lodging and some form of personal health care, but different levels of luxury, comfort and care, the choice of which depends on one’s ability to pay.
As living in a retirement village (RV) is a relatively new concept in this country, I shall elaborate.
The RV concept: It is a community of retirees who would like to stay together for mutual assistance and interaction. Residents are still capable of taking care of themselves and each RV should be able to house about 50 residents.
Ideally the RV should be located within reach of a town, and be near to a hospital, and shopping and other facilities.
Residents: The RV should be able to accommodate three categories of people: independent residents who can look after themselves and interact with their peers; the low-care group which may require some assistance (they can opt for hostel-type accommodation and share common utilities like the kitchen and washroom), and the high-care group, which is not capable of taking care of themselves (often, they need nursing and have to be bathed and fed).
Operations: An RV project requires more than the pooled resources of all the residents. Ideally someone from outside, such as a big company or a welfare organisation, can provide assistance as part of its corporate social responsibility programme.
To run the RV smoothly, you need an accountant/administrator to collect money, pay the bills and keep the accounts.
There should also be another paid employee, such as a driver/carer/handyman who is on hand to replace a lamp bulb, drive residents to the shopping centre, or render help should someone fall ill.
Facilities: A cafeteria is an essential part of the RV so that residents who do not wish to cook can have their meals there.
Arrangements should be made with a local barber/hairdresser to visit the RV at least twice every month to help residents with hair care and grooming.
Some residents may need a physiotherapist to work on their muscles and stiff joints. Arrangements should also be made with a local doctor to visit the RV whenever he is needed.
There should be a small plot of land beside each individual housing unit for independent residents of the RV, as gardening is a form of therapy and an essential part of holistic, healthy living.
For the convenience of residents, the RV should provide a shuttle bus service at least thrice weekly, to places like the supermarket, bank and shopping complex. Independent residents who are still able to drive should be encouraged to keep their cars.
To serve a thriving community of retirees, the RV should have a multi-purpose hall that can accommodate about 80 people.
Residents and guests can gather there to celebrate the New Year, birthdays and festivals. The hall can also be used for lectures and worship services, or rented out for private functions.
If the RV caters for low- and high-care residents, there should be a sick bay with the proper equipment. In case of a medical emergency, staff at the sick bay can render first aid before the resident is transferred to a hospital.
For recreation, the RV should have a small gymnasium equipped with basic exercise machines, and tennis and badminton courts.
Careful planning and implementation are necessary to make the retirement village a workable reality.
These are just some of my thoughts on the subject and more thinking, modification and refinement are needed. Perhaps other readers would like to share their input.
Original URL Link: http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=%2F2011%2F12%2F14%2Flifefocus%2F10080476&sec=lifefocus#.TzUvOrKL5ag.blogger
