- See more at: http://blogtimenow.com/blogging/automatically-redirect-blogger-blog-another-blog-website/#sthash.vFPYnxsz.dpuf T.H.E.seniors(shifted - dont post here): January 2014

Thursday, January 02, 2014

Last Saturday, Jeraldine, Jiamin and I visited Mdm Chow and Mdm Cheng :D

Mdm Chow is still as cute as the last time I saw her, with her signature smile. Jeraldine was the only one who was able to communicate with her with the limited hokkien that she knows and inevitably there were some silent pauses here and there during our conversations. However, whenever we look into her eyes without saying anything, she would return the gaze with a really really bright smile and we would tell her that she's very swee. She said that she is already over her 90s, how can she be swee but during our interaction I really can't help but notice over and over again the beauty she exudes with that genuine bright smile of hers.


We saw the santa hat laying around, made her wear it and took selfies and polaroids (which we left on her fridge door). These are photos of her being amused with the pompom (which has been in her house for quite a while) and trying to straighten the strands of the pompom very seriously (how cute!! :D).

When we were leaving, she stood by her door waving goodbye to us until we were out of sight. This scene makes me a little sad inside because seeing her thin arm waving down the dark corridor reminds me of how she would once again be alone after we leave :< This makes me really want to commit to coming for THES every Saturday whenever I can because I see that we really can make a difference and bring a little more happiness to them with our company.

Next, we visited Mdm Cheng next and helped to change her bedsheet. Mdm Cheng can speak chinese so Jiamin and I were able to contribute more to the conversation directly haha :) It is really comfortable talking to Mdm Cheng. She told her about her kampong days and family. We also managed to see Mdm Cheng being quite excited trying to play with her neighbour's dog, Doudou, when it passed by her door :D

Just like the other visits, this visit made me reflect quite a bit.

Happy New Year everyone! May the elderly have a healthy and happy year ahead too :D

- Mei Na :)



Wednesday, January 01, 2014

Last Saturday, Janice Jeremy and I visited Madam Ho. It was my first time volunteering with T.H.E Seniors and I was armed with expectations that we may have to help the elderly with their chores and talk to them. I was actually more apprehensive about the latter-that there will be a communication barrier as I cannot speak any of the Chinese dialect (although I can count 1 to 10 in Canto :D).

Fortunately Mdm Ho was a bit of a polyglot (we were told she could speak Eng Mandarin Canto, although predominantly Hokkien). As she had some difficulty with her mobility, we helped her with some simple household chores like the sweeping and mopping of her apartment, and the cleaning of her bathroom floor. There were some initial hiccups- we accidentally used the “dry mop” as the “wet mop”. On hindsight, we realize that it might have been better if we had checked with her beforehand. But it's okay, an honest mistake. We know now ^^

Mdm Ho also shared with us stories about her grandchildren and also the sharp pain she have been having behind her ear. I only realized the details of conversation after the visit when Janice translated it for me- but I was really struck by the expressions on her face during the chat. The grimace on her face when she was describing the intermittent pain she felt, and how the medications were not doing much for it. But also the smile on her face when she was sharing her stories…asking after the other volunteers who had visited in the past, gossiping hehe.

All in all, I think this was quite a great first visit for me. I have so much to learn especially when it comes to understanding each of the elderly better. And I also look forward to future visits, can brush up on my dialect eh heh. 

Oh and happy new 2014! ^^
-Jacy

T.H.E Seniors - Geylang Bahru

On the 28th dec, I went for my first house visit and we went to Mdm Khadijah's unit. I was expecting to help with some household chores prior to going there. But Mdm Khadijah's house was actually very clean and tidied up. We spent our time talking to her. She shared with us her personal stories and things that she liked and enjoyed. She likes monkeys and pandas and was telling us that she would like to visit the Zoo again, although she had gone to the Zoo several times before.

She was also telling us about her upcoming medical appointments and that she will be accompanied by volunteers. Towards the end of our meeting she told us that she liked to eat longans, but preferred to eat Papayas for dietary reasons. Victoria went down to buy for her Papayas and Longans and Mdm Khadija was very happy for it.

I am happy that I was able to spend time with her. It was a pleasant experience and I am looking forward to future sessions!
-Kali Charan