“I work as a Senior Club Facilitator at AWWA Dementia Day Care Centre (Ang Mo Kio). My job scope includes taking care of seniors through engagement in games, exercises, serving meals, toileting, arts and cooking sessions etc. I also help to guide 3 club facilitators in the centre. Due to my fluent background in dialects such as Hainanese, Teochew, Hokkien and Cantonese, I am able to interact with the clients and run all programmes smoothly.
This job can be very challenging as I have to be patient when working with persons with dementia. I also have to be very alert and mindful, to show concern and respect to clients and ensure the environment is clean and safe, if not mishaps might happen.
I find my job meaningful because I love my clients and they love us too! Sometimes when I go on leave, my clients who remember me will show concern, and ask my other colleagues about my whereabouts. We are like family, a home away from home. We love them and will do our best for them.”
Here are some tips for caregivers caring for persons with dementia:
Treat persons with dementia as normal people. They are just like you and me! Talk to them often, and keep them occupied the whole day. If they forget a task or how to do something, kindly remind them. Show them lots of love, hug them, and hold their hands!