Generally, when we talk about ‘Old Folks’ Home’, the first thing which will cross our minds is sympathy. In majority, the way of seeing the three words above is that the senior citizens are being abandoned by their beloved family and they are particularly lonely in the old folks’ home. Public will blame their children for not doing their responsibility of taking good care of their parents. Besides, the public assume that the old folks are not well taken care in the house. Therefore, we must take some prompt actions in long term or short term in order to change the negative perception of the public towards the old folks’ home.
Initially, the first thing we can do is to change the name of the old folks’ house. We should have named it in a more approaching and lovely way. For instance, instead of using the name, ‘Old Folks’ Home’, we can replace it by ‘Rumah Tersayang’ or ‘Nursing Home’. This can alter the public’s thinking that the elderly people are staying in a comfortable and convenient home. They are also taken care by professional and trained nurses and workers. It is safe and secured for the senior citizens to live in Nursing Home.
Restriction and enhancement of the rules to enter Nursing Home should have been made. For instance, only elderly people from the age of 58 or above are allowed to stay in old folks’ home. The family or relatives of the old folks, moreover, must visit them at least once a week. During special and grand festivals, those family of the residents in old folks’ house are compulsory to bring them back to their hometown and celebrate the days. Therefore, the old folks will not be neglected and isolated by their family members. By restricting this rule, the old folks can still feel the love and care showered by their own family.
Furthermore, the authority of old folks’ homes should have organized some programmes and activities for the elderly to do social works or even charity works. Activity such as cleaning the compound of their home and playing physical as well as mental games together is highly recommended in Nursing Home. This is not only filling their spare time but also creating the opportunity for the residents to communicate and socialize among each other. They can make more friends and help each other since they are living under one roof. This will create a joyful as well as tolerant environment in the Nursing Home. They can find companion when their children or family members are not around. Beside that, the old folks who are expert in doing handcrafts or planting are encouraged to do their favourite hobbies in old folks’ home. They can either sell the handcrafts that they produce or donate the products.
On the other hand, health care of the old folks must be emphasized. Doctors should help every resident in Nursing Home to do medical check up at least once a month. The authorities of old folks’ home should have employed the dietitian to ensure the healthy diet for the old folks whereas nurses can give the education of prevention and precaution of cronic diseases such as diabetes and osteoporosis. By providing this type of services, the senior citizens can live in a happy yet healthy life.
As a conclusion, living in Nursing Home is not as bad as what the public presume. We must try our best to take good care of our parents and grandparents. The most important thing is to respect the elder people and ensure that they are living in a happy life.
Written by ANNIE LEM & BEE HUA
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