In a bid to raise awareness for dementia and depression among the elderly, Red Cross Youth NTU (RCY NTU) hosted community involvement activities for Goodlife! Montfort Care @ Central in Toa Payoh. The monthly activities kickstarted Montfort Care’s initiative in the neighbourhood, with the first session held on 20 February 2021 and a second on 20 March 2021.
12 volunteers worked with Toa Payoh View Residential Committee to host these three-hour sessions, including activities to improve 64 elders’ cognitive and physical skills. The team sought advice from Montfort Care to identify possible beneficial activities that could help prevent the onset of dementia and depression. NTU RCY supported the social workers involved in the first session in February, before leading the second session in March as the main facilitators.
To cultivate an active lifestyle, the volunteers curated short exercises for the elderly to follow. These sessions varied according to the attendees, such as opting for upper body exercise for wheelchair-bound participants. Volunteers also made sure to guide the elders one-on-one if they could not understand the instructions.
As for mentally stimulating activities, the volunteers prepared various forms of bingo, such as Chinese New Year or mahjong-themed versions to connect with the elders. In addition to bingo, the elders also played memory games such as “match the picture card” and “guess the song”. Bingo was popular among the attendees, as it allowed them to socialise.
To help elders understand dementia and depression, Montfort Care came up with a “true/false” educational game to assess their knowledge on dementia and depression, which the volunteers helped to integrate into the sessions. This also allowed the participants to learn about the symptoms, misconceptions and prevention for both dementia and depression.
Prizes such as masks, towels and medicated oil were prepared to encourage these elders’ participation.
The event was met with positive feedback from the participants. The elders feedbacked that they enjoyed themselves and look forward to further activities. They also believed that these sessions could help expand their social circle, as many of them lived alone. Overall, the sessions fulfilled RCY NTU’s aim to provide participants with a safe space to exercise their minds and bodies.
Our project goes towards a meaningful cause, and I hope that our efforts could eventually create a positive impact in the elderly’s life. Chin Yan Bing, RCY CIP main officer
About Red Cross Youth NTU Chapter
The NTU Chapter of the Singapore Red Cross Society attached to the Voluntary Aid Detachments Division was set up in July 1994.
The objectives of the Chapter are: To encourage and promote the participation of students and staff of NTU in the work of Red Cross; to furnish voluntary aid to the sick and suffering, and all those who require health education, first aid, nursing and welfare services in the University, and to provide voluntary support in such areas in University activities; to organize training and classes on subjects like first aid, CPR and others that fall within the objectives of the Society; to provide voluntary support to the Society in its various activities.
