Angie Ng Kwee Sew
Econ Healtcare Group Pte Ltd, Singapore
Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Gerontol Geriatr Res
The healthcare for the elderly has indeed arrived at the right moment, at a time when the elderly population in
the world is increasing and needs better attention. The increase in life expectancy is glaring across the globe and
Singapore is no exception. The government has been building many nursing homes to accommodate to the increase
needs of our elderly. However, our biggest challenge is getting the right attitude and competent staff to provide this
delicate care for our elderly. The reality of caregiving is, it is stressful, and be it at home or nursing home or skilled
nursing facilities. Unfortunately, not everyone is suited to this role. It really takes a special commitment to any
caregiver to provide care to the elderly with passion. Even more so when our caregivers are foreigners and many of
them came over for just a job. Let's face it, caring for the elderly is a very labor intensive job, and is emotionally trying
to say the least. Even more trying is the added responsibility when the elderly has behavior issues or getting sicker.
On the other side of the coin, I passionately believe that ageing means changing- a potentially rich progression
through life. We can???t avoid the process of growing older, but we can avoid atrophy of the spirit. Caring for the
elderly is like taking care of our young children, they are most precious and vulnerable. Hence, it reflects poorly on
caregivers when they are mistreated when they are admitted to our facilities as our duty is to look after and cherish
them.
The question is: Caring for the elderly, is it a burden or golden?
Angie Ng has more than 40 years of extensive healthcare experience working in the public and private hospitals both in Malaysia and Singapore providing nursing leadership, management, and nursing education expertise. She obtained her Doctorate in Education from the University of Western Australia at the age of 53 competing among the younger generations. Currently, she is the Director of Nursing in one of the largest private nursing home in Singapore.
E-mail: angieng@econhealthcare.com