SPEAKER: DR LAI JUNXU
At the Outreach Conference held at Wesley Methodist Church, a popular afternoon workshop titled Befriending and Reaching Out offered many attendees fresh insights into engaging with seniors in our community.
KEY INSIGHTS FROM THE HEALTHCARE PERSPECTIVE
Both Dr Lai Junxu and Polly Lim shared best practices drawn from their experiences in senior care.Dr Lai began the session by introducing Omnimed Healthcare’s range of services, which include traditional healthcare facilities, home care and nursing homes. He highlighted that Omnimed’s outreach to seniors includes home care services encompassing medical, nursing and therapy support.
Their team has the privilege of caring for fifteen elderly patients, each aged between 100 and 110 years. The organisation is committed to enhancing the quality of life for seniors and simplifying their health management.
Dr Lai emphasised that Omnimed works closely with the families of seniors to build strong relationships. He noted that when we support as befrienders, it is important to intentionally involve families in caregiving.
He shared his observations, noting that many seniors fear dying alone—a reflection of their loneliness and uncertainty about the future. This reveals a deep emotional vulnerability faced by many elderly individuals at the end of life.
Dr Lai recounted heartfelt moments when some seniors, during visits, generously offered food as a warm sign of connection and companionship with caring health practitioners. These simple gestures remind us of the kindness and longing for fellowship within each of these seniors.
He gently emphasised that allowing seniors to age peacefully and comfortably in their own welcoming homes, where they feel most at ease, is genuinely beneficial. He encouraged the audience to practise self-compassion and patience during the ageing process, stressing the importance of being gentle and kind to oneself during this natural life phase.
KEY INSIGHTS FROM AN ACTIVE AGEING CENTRE
Polly Lim, representing the Jalan Besar Active Ageing Centre, spoke next to provide a comprehensive overview of the centre’s vital role in serving the senior community.
She explained that the centre functions as a ‘connector’, bringing together various activities and programmes that promote active and healthy ageing. These activities include:
• Senior exercise classes to improve physical health
• Befriending programmes to combat loneliness
• Care and support services for daily needs
• Social engagements to foster community connections
• Health screenings to track and maintain overall wellness
The centre actively collaborates with dedicated volunteers who assist with its befriending initiatives. These volunteers play a crucial role by offering companionship and emotional support to seniors, particularly those who may be isolated or in need of social interaction.
A befriender can support seniors by spending time with them, listening empathetically, respecting their perspectives and celebrating small moments together. Befrienders help create a warm, welcoming environment where seniors feel valued and included.
Through these efforts, the centre aims to enhance the quality of life for seniors, fostering a vibrant and connected community where every individual feels supported and engaged.
Polly shared a profoundly moving moment as she recounted how our volunteers at Wesley lovingly took a picture of one of the seniors at the centre, Madam Ng. That photo held a special place in her heart. Madam Ng has since passed away, but that precious picture became a cherished keepsake for her family, used at her funeral to celebrate her life and the beautiful spirit she was.
The image now stands as a poignant reminder of the love and connection that define our community.
