There has been a multitude of research being published about traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and dementia. You may think the model of the brain below might look unbelievable given it’s a mould made of jelly. The brain below has in fact, the same consistency as a real human brain. Now you believe the studies?
I found this useful basic infographic online that provides some basic information on TBIs.
By 2030, 25% of the Singaporean population will be 65 years and above, the dependency ratio is estimated to be 2 adults to 1 older adult. We have more working adults and fewer babies to fuel the balance in the population. Our life expectancy is consistently increasing as a result of positive healthcare and public health initiatives by the people.
Watch the video below by TodayOnline to find out more.
With the growing ageing population, we need to ensure that the healthcare system will be able to cater for the masses as we progress into the future. Sustainable initiatives for older adults to find meaningful work and not tokenistic gestures has to be strategically executed. Enabling older adults who wish to continue to contribute their valuable experiences and knowledge can continue to do so effectively for the benefit of the masses. Such initiatives serve to support working adults as well, when older adults are independent physically, mentally and financially and the country
Such initiatives serve to support both older adults and their children. As working adults, we will always worry about our parents be it physical or mental health or financial independent. Retirement age at 62 sounds like a dream, but for many whom I have cared for, it appears to be a momentary facade meant with a list of ambiguous losses and often ending in unresolved grief. The reality of retirement for many did not seem to match up with the expectations of the events that should happen in the second chapter of their lives.
Many shared that things just did not turn out as they had expected. Children leave home and get married, financial losses are incurred due to retirement. Yes, they usually get a package but long can these packages last. People can critically say that they should save their money and not spend it on holidays or time off and invest it wisely. But after 50 years of working and devoting themselves to family life, a lot of people really just want to take some time off for themselves and that takes money. A decent holiday would take a decent amount of money. For some, a decent surgery was needed or time and money were poured into the care of a chronic health condition. For some, that may even be in the time and money spent on caring for their grandkids. For many of us who are working adults, it’s easy to look to older adults and say that they have the easy life when they retire. It’s really not all that it is cracked up to be in Asia.
Having had this conversation with older adults, many have touched on the need for part-time work that can provide an avenue for meaningful engagement, which can encourage them to keep an upright and active lifestyle. Maintaining their physical and mental health, while remaining connected as contributing citizens that are included in society.
Singapore is one of the many super age countries.
I saw this video on facebook earlier today by Alphonso Lim who is a social worker in Singapore. He is seeking for people to be exercise volunteers once a week, to help strengthen the community at Spooner Road. You can watch the video below to find out more about the volunteer program. We all know exercise is great for out cardiovascular health and evidently great for our cognition. If you have time once a week and living around Bukit Merah, help the community and yourself by joining this meaningful program.
Click here to be a volunteer in his program
A recent news (see video below) report showed how people with Parkinson’s are able to cycle despite encountering difficulties with everyday movement. It also touched on how music can improve movement and engagement with people with Parkinson’s. Watch the video to find out more.
A lovely video from the Seeker Network presents the “Home that Fits” (Facebook Page) an innovative housing program by Oman Muotoinen Koti, founded by Miki Mielonen in Helsinki. In western countries, youths move out of their homes at an earlier age, some move out as early as 17 or 18, this is quite different from the traditional Asian cultures. However, this is changing in Asia as more youths travel abroad or to urban regions to attend University or find work opportunities.
Moving out can prove to be difficult in many parts of the world and there is always the issue of sky-high rents, just look at regions like Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong.
This program helps to find a balance by offering affordable living spaces in a home for seniors for youths under 25 at approximately $265 USD a month. In exchange, the youths will have to hang out with the senior residents for up to 5 hours a week. Bringing together a multi-generational community showing that it’s worth investing in relationships that bond the youths and older adults. This meaningful project bringing together different ages and lives all under one roof helps to reduce youth homelessness and helps to forge new and meaningful relationships through the generations.
Poetry sometimes for many of us who are not English Literature majors or come from a non-English speaking background, may sound like something that is really difficult and requires a high level of linguistic skill and perfection. However, poetry is found to be cathartic for many people with dementia and high therapeutic. So how do we get over that wall of stigma? For those who may wish to try an alternative, here is the Spoken Word.
This video above is an example of spoken word or some may call it spoken word poetry. The video above is performed by IN-Q, a professional spoken word artist. Spoken word unlike traditional poetry that is meant for paper is a contemporary high-energy performance of the heart, mind and soul. It embraces poetry, storytelling, theatre, and folk, jazz, hip hop and even R&B. It can be a performance by anyone of any age. Topics are mostly issues close to the heart and the home.
Bring spoken word to your home today and bring out the inner a spoken word artist in you. Here’s a video on how to write and perform Spoken Word by Khalil Smith.
Step 1: Brain Storming
Pick a topic that is personal and familiar. Think of words associated with the topic.
Step 2: Construction
Connect the words and carry out a process of association to enable word form and structure.
Step 3: Finalisation Phase
Writing and thinking of the tone and the beat.
Step 4: Performance
Memorise if possible, and add physical movements and ways to engage the audience.
For more spoken word performances please visit: http://blog.ted.com/10-spoken-word-performances-folded-like-lyrical-origami/. I’ll leave you with a spoken word performance by Raymond Antrobus Ode to his father’s dementia.
Designing for Aged Care 