GROWING OLD GRACEFULLY
Ageing is a fact of life. Yet few look it in the eye and address the impact it has on physical health and mental wellbeing. Prestige Women of Power honouree QUEENIE MAN takes matters into her own hands through her eldercare company Project Futurus.
Ageism stems from our fear of ageing
and our rejection of growing older. When you look up information on “ageing” or “elderly”, most news headlines are associated with negative connotations. This negative stigma about old age is deeply ingrained in society and often devalues older people.
I was appalled by the limited dietary options for older people with swallowing difficulties
when I first entered eldercare. They were provided with tasteless blended purée meals, which were often left untouched or unfinished. Unlike in a typical mealtime, old people often eat in silence and alone, and sometimes hastily. I felt the need to change this culture because, like us, they should be given choices and mealtimes should be enjoyable. More importantly, having cared for my late grandmother I wanted to be able to provide dignified meal choices to those suffering from dysphagia or nearing the end of their lives. In my current role at the Elderly Commission – and as Captain Softmeal herself – I feel the responsibility of addressing the unmet needs of elders and caregivers. Last year, I had the opportunity to connect with a global panel of care professionals, an eye-opening experience that motivated me to continue to use innovative means to amplify our social impact in the elderly community.
Old people often feel lonely, helpless and bored,
which are considered the three plaques of ageing. To improve their wellbeing, it’s crucial to actively engage them in daily conversations and decision-making, ensuring their voices are heard and respected. Empowering them to make choices for themselves is equally important. Having recently interned at an elderly home, witnessing the expressions of helplessness on their faces has deepened my commitment to making a difference for our elderly community. By fostering a society that values and supports individuals of all ages, we can create a more inclusive and compassionate environment for everyone as they navigate the journey of ageing.
The biggest challenge of running an elderly home is changing the fundamental care culture.
As an Eden Alternative-inspired senior residential care home, we always strive to create a person-led care environment. Although that’s easier said than done, we often only touch on the iceberg of care. For instance, making slight operational changes, which are often considered low-hanging fruit, while shifting care culture could take years of training and education. It’s important to recognise the need for a systematic change in our care culture, shifting the culture of care from an institutional model to a model where care is centred around the person’s needs. My recent favourite book, Being Mortal by Atul Gawande, has reinforced my understanding that our role as care practitioners is to provide elders with options and respect the choices they make. A life well-lived to the end is more important than a good death. By doing so, we become better healthcare practitioners and better people.