Satyaprakash Tiwari
Jamiyah Nursing Home, Singapore
Title: Dementia continuum of care – Jamiyah Singapore model
Biography
Biography: Satyaprakash Tiwari
Abstract
One of the emphases today in Jamiyah Singapore is on avoiding premature institutionalization of the frail elderly with dementia. Singapore should as far as possible decrease use of the expensive and debilitating nursing home care. This is not to say that institutional services should be totally eliminated, but that they must be used more judiciously. As the aging population increases, the question remains how many of the elderly will need the costly institutional care necessary to deal with chronic illness and how many should be re-channeled to less expensive, yet more meaningful alternatives. The feasibility of such cost-saving community long-term care alternatives is based on the idea of a “continuum of care”, the provision of an appropriate level of service for elderly citizens in various stages of health and aging. Jamiyah Singapore recognizes that the aging of the Singaporean population is expected to pose a major challenge to Singapore’s socio-economic progress and the face of healthcare in Singapore is changing. Advancements in technology, pharmacology, and medical healthcare practice contribute to the extension of the average lifespan. Amidst these changes, chronic diseases are emerging as a priority topic. In general, the goal of treatment is to restore the elderly to their highest level of functioning. This includes optimizing medical, emotional, social, educational and vocational functioning and bringing them as close to full independence as their condition allow. Jamiyah Singapore has set up more than 15 services and programs such as counseling, senior therapy services, residential homes, food bank, etc. These services aim to help persons from various vulnerable and disadvantaged groups across all ages and ethnic background to ensure that anyone who needs help and their caregivers gets the necessary support they need. The predominant aims for which the organization was established are to provide a comprehensive planned approach for the direct relief of poverty, sickness, suffering, distress, misfortune, destitution or helplessness in the community.