steadfast
companion
Colourful Days Ahead
Watching senior Yeow Yen Lian tirelessly go about carrying out caregiver duties on her daughter Chew Siau Ping, 51, who has a long history of medical conditions, one may find it hard to imagine that the doting mother is already at an advanced age of 86.
“As (Siau Ping) would have multiple seizures in a day, I must be on my toes and attend to her so that she wouldn’t sustain any injuries. To care for her, I need to take care of myself first, so that I am at my best,” explained Yen Lian, gesturing at her daughter.
Throughout the day, she tends to her daughter’s every need with a smile and an endearing look.
Propping up a colouring book, Yen Lian prepares a set of paint with brushes and guides Siau Ping to fill the spaces with blooming colours.
“My friend Alex got her this book, and she loves it so much. When he visits us and helps me out with my letters, government assistance, and updates on the latest happenings, Siau Ping would not feel left out,” said Yen Lian, who has been single-handedly looking after Siau Ping ever since the passing of her husband nearly two decades ago.
The friend she refers to is Alex Yip, a Befriending Associate at LB who regularly calls on seniors such as Yen Lian who may be at risk of social isolation.
“Yen Lian is a full-time caregiver and has limited to no social interaction due to her daughter’s physical and mental limitations which require around-the-clock attention.
Under these circumstances, she wouldn’t be able to enjoy the daily activities at our AAC or connect with her peers there,” said Alex. However, looking at the bright side, Yen Lian says she was very fortunate for the continuous support and care from LB since she joined as a member in 2007.
All You Need is a Friend
“They provided me with furniture, a television set, and most of all, they gave me a feeling of belonging. I also gained a friend in Alex who is there for me, listening to my concerns and worries. If no one comes over, I feel like a mute. I know just by talking alone doesn’t solve all my problems, but it helps with getting things off my chest, and I feel better after each visit. I look forward to these visits,” she remarked.
“Once the staff and volunteers brought us to a cable car ride; it was one of the happiest days in my life seeing my daughter enjoy the day with me, without me worrying too much about her as they were with us all the time. I wouldn’t have been able to give my daughter that experience by myself,” said Yen Lian.
Alex added that he and his Befriending team would always find ways to bring joy, a sense of community, and belonging with regular visits to the seniors.
“Sometimes all you need is a friend. We want them to feel empowered and banish any lonesome thoughts as much as possible. We strive to adopt this sustainable approach for the future; where our regular visits and phone calls ensure that the seniors know they are part of a larger community and to also monitor their wellbeing while they are ageing in place.”
We hope that these stories would inspire you to reach out and touch the lives of others.
If you would like to share your thoughts on these stories, please feel free to email us at cp@lb.org.sgBe A Volunteer
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