Buang Malee and his wife, Hamidah Jaafar, have lots to be thankful about. They are happy that Buang’s 80-year-old widowed mother, Alimah Binte Sugi, is being looked after at the Silver Circle (Punggol South). If she were at home, she would be alone the whole day as the family works. “We were worried she might fall and there would be no one to take care of her,” said Hamidah, who explained that Alimah suffers from hypertension and osteoporosis. In addition, because of her heavy body weight, she has to walk around with a walking stick.

However, all that is in the past. After her sister-in-law introduced them to the Silver Circle last year in 2008, the family found the peace of mind they needed. Buang added: “We are happy that my mother socialises with others here and her mind is continuously working. If she were home, she would not have any one to talk to. We originally thought of engaging a maid but we were worried that the maid would not take care for her well. We are most lucky to find this place.” The Malee family thoroughly checked out the environment before they brought her here in July 2008.

Also, when Alimah initially came, she was very upset and was crying as she thought the family was abandoning her. However, now she has accepted the place and is enjoying the various activities including handicraft and exercising. Hamidah said, “At home, she does not do any exercises, however, here she does and on top of that, she gets to use her motor skills [through the various targeted activities].” The structured exercises have allowed the grandmother of 13 to better balance herself and she is now able to walk steadily with the aid of her walking stick. “There is improvement, not 100% though,” said Hamidah, an administration assistant. 

The Malee family is also thankful that they were able to get some financial assistance to cover the costs of caring for Alimah. Because of the economic crisis, Buang’s monthly basic pay as a dispatch driver was cut from $1,400 to $1,200 and taking on the additional cost of the day care centre would have put a pinch on the family. However, help was not far behind. They managed to get $200 off the usual fees through Eldercare Trust Fund subsidies and receive additional help through the MCYS Means Test. With this help, Alimah’s care, which would cost $320 for day care fees and $140 for transport and totaled $460, now costs a total of $210 including the transport. 

This help has meant a lot to the family. They have less worries and have the peace of mind, knowing that their loved one is being cared for.