I would like to dedicate this website to my late father Thomas Soh Yew Chong who passed away on 21st August 2011 at the age of 92. Born 3rd September 1919, he has live life to the fullest having served the British Air Forces (RSAF) as Executive Payroll Officer till 1968 when they withdraw their forces from Singapore.
After his retirement, he set up a sole proprietor company providing laboratory supplies to schools for about 3 year, afterwhich he closed the company.
He had been travelling regularly ever since and his fall in 2006 started another chapter of his life. Despite having need to be on wheel-chair after his fall as he cannot walk long distance we managed to travel with him to Hainan and Beijing.
He had pneumonia in June 2011 and was on feeding tube till he passed away peacefully on 21st August 2011 at around 3.32 am.
Wednesday 15 August 2012
Why this BLOG
As the header states, "Why This Blog?" During the period 2006 - 2011, as the main caregiver to my father, the experiences gained are tremendous which I am definitely sure caregivers to-be will find my sharing in the next section useful and helpful. On the one hand 'costs' is a factor as everyone out there is trying to jump on the lucrative business for elderly care. Furthermore, one may ask where to get the 'real practical' experience rather than the 'ideal' which at times is not practical.
We are always disturbed with questions like:
We are always disturbed with questions like:
- what to do when hospitalised
- should we go for second opinion?
- questions to ask doctors
- medical care - visits to doctors in hospitals and clinics, what to ask
- parkinson challenge
- pneumonia experience
- where to buy the equipment (wheelchair etc), consumables and disposable items
- how to make the home elderly friendly at affordable price
- home care vs nursing home? which is the right move?
- home nursing and specialists care?
- final journey
- where to give away the balance item medicine
Sharing Personal Experience
ANTICIPATE EMERGENCY
Always be aware of the nearest hospital and medical facilities available near you. Ask yourself are they competent and if you unsure, do check around with other friends etc.
Once you are sure of the nearest hospital for emergency, make that hospital the regular hospital for referral and follow-up check-ups.
If the hospital you choose is not the nearest hospital during emergency call, do bear in mind when there is an emergency, do not call '995' as they will send to the nearest hospital, but check the telephone directory and call the private ambulance instead. Do keep these numbers handy if you do not want the nearest hospital.
WHY A PREFERRED HOSPITAL Personal experience - without prejudice
In 2006, my dad had a fall in the morning and we called '995' which brought my dad to the nearest hospital where he was staying. I call this hospital X.
He was treated in A & E and was subsequently discharged and was referred to the Polyclinic for outpatient treatment.
In one of his routine review the doctor discovered he has some abnormalities in his blood readings and was referred to the nearest hospital X.
At Hospital X, A & E, he was warded and we requested the Dr in-charge to test his bone density, in view of his recent fall. He was subsequently discharged and the Dr gave calcium tablets for my dad and to come back for follow-up review in 3 months time.
Without informing us of the side effects, my dad had constipation which lead to his colorectal problem which I subsequently send him to another hospital Y via the private ambulance service. I know if my dad would have gone back to hospital X, I do not think he will leave the hospital alive.This lead to my doubts in hospital X and my conversation with friends, confirmed that hospital X was unreliable which todate I try to avoid the hospital during his time. As for now, left to be seen but my phobia of this hospital is always there and will be.
FAMILY PHYSICIAN
Always ensure that the elderly has a regular Family Physician instead of irregular doctor in the Poly-Clinic. The regular Family Physician will normally spend more time advising the patient about their medical condition. Always ask the Family Physician about the status of blood tests results or any irregularities. Do keep the Family Physician informed if the patient is hospitalised or there is a change in medical conditions.
WHEN HOSPITALISED
Always accompany the elderly for any check-up or when they are warded in hospital. Why? you may ask? During my years accompanying my dad, whilst in the ward I have encountered numerous times doctor asked him whether he has diabetes or high blood, without even checking his previous medical history. I can imagine if I was not there, he might have been treated wrongly.
CAREGIVERS we have a MISSION to take care of our LOVED ONES, by giving your ALL from your HEART you will know your RIGHTS. DO NOT ALWAYS take a TREATMENT as THE RIGHT TREATMENT, ALWAYS HAVE AN INQUIRING MIND!
My dad was diagnoised to have liver tumour and was scheduled to undergo chemotheraphy as his age 87 then was too risky for surgery. Luckily through a friend's recommendation, we seek a second opinion and was advised to go for Radio Frequency Ablation (RFA) instead. He undergone RFA and was discharged the next day. Few months after, he went on a trip to HAINAN with us. I can imagine should he have undergone Chemo, will he be still with us then. From this experience, I always encouraged patients and their loved ones to seek second opinion as the treatment they be required to undergo, may or may not be the right one.
In year 2010, there was recurrence of the tumour and we went back to the private hospital for treatment.
From these two treatments, we discovered that the treatment were not in the Medisave Table. We feedback to the authorities and was finally approved for partial payment from Medisave. As the medical treatment advances very fast, we must always understand the treatment type and if it is not claimable from Medisave, always ask WHY?
PARKINSON
In Mar/Apr 2011 when he was hospitalised for stomach ulcer and other tests were done on him, the doctor diagnoised that he has PARKINSON and prescribed him the medicine. As the main caregiver, I was not convienced as his diagnoised was carried out by physiotherapist, occupation therapist and the doctor. Luckily I did not let him take the medicine which has side effects, as during his followup 2 months later he was accidentally being assigned to the A/Prof in-charge who subsequently discharged him. As Caregiver, we have a responsibility and if we are not convience, always challenge or seek another second opinion.
PNEUMONIA - without prejudice
We always heard that pneumonia is the number one killer for the elderly. It is due to the infection of the lungs. Does anyone 'dare' to come forward to 'claim' the cause? Well from my father's experience. I have this experience to share.
Ask yourself, sometimes when you drink or eat too fast you tend to choke and cough? Have you ever wondered why? It could be due to some water or food has entered your lung.
That's what exactly happened to my father. It is very common to see him cough a few times whenever he eat. We thought that this is common and the doctors we consulted said that it is alright. If this is not addressed, what happened to him was the food started accumulating in his lungs which resulted in him feeling weak. This is when pneumonia virus attack which resulted in him having to be hospitalised and has been tube feeding.
If you have elderly having regular cough when eating please ask the doctor to refer to the speech therapists. They will test the patient swallowing pattern to see if it flows directly to the stomach or lung. Early detection will enable the family to decide on the type of diet to give to their loved ones.
Was this told or made known to Public?
QUESTION TO ASK ALWAYS
Always asked the following questions:
1. Medicine prescribed - are there any side-effects?
2. Purpose of Medicine - will it cure?
3. Blood Tests - always ask for test results and compare the previous results.
4. When in doubt - always seek second opinion.
Always be aware of the nearest hospital and medical facilities available near you. Ask yourself are they competent and if you unsure, do check around with other friends etc.
Once you are sure of the nearest hospital for emergency, make that hospital the regular hospital for referral and follow-up check-ups.
If the hospital you choose is not the nearest hospital during emergency call, do bear in mind when there is an emergency, do not call '995' as they will send to the nearest hospital, but check the telephone directory and call the private ambulance instead. Do keep these numbers handy if you do not want the nearest hospital.
WHY A PREFERRED HOSPITAL Personal experience - without prejudice
In 2006, my dad had a fall in the morning and we called '995' which brought my dad to the nearest hospital where he was staying. I call this hospital X.
He was treated in A & E and was subsequently discharged and was referred to the Polyclinic for outpatient treatment.
In one of his routine review the doctor discovered he has some abnormalities in his blood readings and was referred to the nearest hospital X.
At Hospital X, A & E, he was warded and we requested the Dr in-charge to test his bone density, in view of his recent fall. He was subsequently discharged and the Dr gave calcium tablets for my dad and to come back for follow-up review in 3 months time.
Without informing us of the side effects, my dad had constipation which lead to his colorectal problem which I subsequently send him to another hospital Y via the private ambulance service. I know if my dad would have gone back to hospital X, I do not think he will leave the hospital alive.This lead to my doubts in hospital X and my conversation with friends, confirmed that hospital X was unreliable which todate I try to avoid the hospital during his time. As for now, left to be seen but my phobia of this hospital is always there and will be.
FAMILY PHYSICIAN
Always ensure that the elderly has a regular Family Physician instead of irregular doctor in the Poly-Clinic. The regular Family Physician will normally spend more time advising the patient about their medical condition. Always ask the Family Physician about the status of blood tests results or any irregularities. Do keep the Family Physician informed if the patient is hospitalised or there is a change in medical conditions.
WHEN HOSPITALISED
Always accompany the elderly for any check-up or when they are warded in hospital. Why? you may ask? During my years accompanying my dad, whilst in the ward I have encountered numerous times doctor asked him whether he has diabetes or high blood, without even checking his previous medical history. I can imagine if I was not there, he might have been treated wrongly.
CAREGIVERS we have a MISSION to take care of our LOVED ONES, by giving your ALL from your HEART you will know your RIGHTS. DO NOT ALWAYS take a TREATMENT as THE RIGHT TREATMENT, ALWAYS HAVE AN INQUIRING MIND!
My dad was diagnoised to have liver tumour and was scheduled to undergo chemotheraphy as his age 87 then was too risky for surgery. Luckily through a friend's recommendation, we seek a second opinion and was advised to go for Radio Frequency Ablation (RFA) instead. He undergone RFA and was discharged the next day. Few months after, he went on a trip to HAINAN with us. I can imagine should he have undergone Chemo, will he be still with us then. From this experience, I always encouraged patients and their loved ones to seek second opinion as the treatment they be required to undergo, may or may not be the right one.
In year 2010, there was recurrence of the tumour and we went back to the private hospital for treatment.
From these two treatments, we discovered that the treatment were not in the Medisave Table. We feedback to the authorities and was finally approved for partial payment from Medisave. As the medical treatment advances very fast, we must always understand the treatment type and if it is not claimable from Medisave, always ask WHY?
PARKINSON
In Mar/Apr 2011 when he was hospitalised for stomach ulcer and other tests were done on him, the doctor diagnoised that he has PARKINSON and prescribed him the medicine. As the main caregiver, I was not convienced as his diagnoised was carried out by physiotherapist, occupation therapist and the doctor. Luckily I did not let him take the medicine which has side effects, as during his followup 2 months later he was accidentally being assigned to the A/Prof in-charge who subsequently discharged him. As Caregiver, we have a responsibility and if we are not convience, always challenge or seek another second opinion.
PNEUMONIA - without prejudice
We always heard that pneumonia is the number one killer for the elderly. It is due to the infection of the lungs. Does anyone 'dare' to come forward to 'claim' the cause? Well from my father's experience. I have this experience to share.
Ask yourself, sometimes when you drink or eat too fast you tend to choke and cough? Have you ever wondered why? It could be due to some water or food has entered your lung.
That's what exactly happened to my father. It is very common to see him cough a few times whenever he eat. We thought that this is common and the doctors we consulted said that it is alright. If this is not addressed, what happened to him was the food started accumulating in his lungs which resulted in him feeling weak. This is when pneumonia virus attack which resulted in him having to be hospitalised and has been tube feeding.
If you have elderly having regular cough when eating please ask the doctor to refer to the speech therapists. They will test the patient swallowing pattern to see if it flows directly to the stomach or lung. Early detection will enable the family to decide on the type of diet to give to their loved ones.
Was this told or made known to Public?
QUESTION TO ASK ALWAYS
Always asked the following questions:
1. Medicine prescribed - are there any side-effects?
2. Purpose of Medicine - will it cure?
3. Blood Tests - always ask for test results and compare the previous results.
4. When in doubt - always seek second opinion.
Home Care & Eternal Rest
Home Care
We are always troubled by the question as to whether our sick elderly loved ones should be placed in the HOME or stay with us. One we say in the HOME they have many facilities and medical staff readily available to take care of our loved ones. My main question to ask - is the CARE and ATTENTION given the same as one given by own CHILDREN? This is something many of us tend to ignore out of convenience. If one is unaware, the cost of employing a helper is much lower than staying in a HOME.
We are very lucky to employ HEIDEE as she was transferred. Her previous employer father has passed away and that is how we managed to employ her. She looked after my father very well till he passed away.
As a caregiver we are faced with many challenges and one of them is to get equipment and medical accessories for our loved ones. Out there currently there are far too many companies and it is very, very difficult to find one which can be consumer oriented rather than totally profit oriented.
We managed to get a wheel chair for my father in 2006/2007 and the chair, I can say is very good as it has been with us to Hainan and Beijing.
Before my father was discharged in May 2011 from pneumonia, I was faced with many challenges as to where to get the various equipment and accessories for him. Vendors recommended by hospital are good reference point but it does not help much. What is missing in the current system is a personalised service to advise families accordingly. Anyone is free to contact me @ davidphsoh@gmail.com, if they need any 'advise:
I managed to get the following items prior to his discharged.
We need to know what other services are available in order to assist us in home care services for our loved ones.
FINAL REST FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS
When the loved one passed away at home, it will be good besides calling the Ambulance, to call the 24-hour doctor. With the doctor being able to certified that the loved one has passed away, it eliminate the need to send the loved one to the mortuary. With the certificate issued by the doctor, the family members are able to get the Death Certificate issued by the nearest Police Station.
Whilst the loved one still alive, it will be good that a checklist be made on the funneral arrangements etc in order to eliminate any family disagreements when the loved ones passed away. Issues like where the wake be held, number of days etc.
COLUMBARIA
Based on experience, when the family booked the place for the niche final resting place, please take note of the following:
a. That the place does not have ridiculous opening and closing timings
b. That they do not restrict to the use of wording or layout of the marble plaque for the niche
MOURNING PERIOD
This is very interesting as it varies with customs and religion.
WILLS AND CPF NOMINATIONS
Based on experienceCPF will discharged the balance money from the deceased CPF within a month provided the deceased has made a nomination.
For WILLs beware, to get a LETTER of PROBATE to execute the WILL will cost between $2500-$5000, which to me is 'crazy', what if deceased has only left behind a small amount.
DECEASED AIDS AND MEDICINE
It will be a waste to just donate the aids to those places who does not need and medicine etc throw away. For my dad's case we managed to give away his walking-frame, wheel chair etc, and some of his other aids sold to those in need at a lesser price. Medicine though plenty, we give to those who are taking similar medicine and does not mind. This is 'something missing', helping those who have the items to give away. Anyway, I do have contact for those who could help us.
I hope this WEBSITE will be useful, do feel free to email me if you need more information.
Thank you and God Bless for taking the time to go through my website.
We are always troubled by the question as to whether our sick elderly loved ones should be placed in the HOME or stay with us. One we say in the HOME they have many facilities and medical staff readily available to take care of our loved ones. My main question to ask - is the CARE and ATTENTION given the same as one given by own CHILDREN? This is something many of us tend to ignore out of convenience. If one is unaware, the cost of employing a helper is much lower than staying in a HOME.
We are very lucky to employ HEIDEE as she was transferred. Her previous employer father has passed away and that is how we managed to employ her. She looked after my father very well till he passed away.
As a caregiver we are faced with many challenges and one of them is to get equipment and medical accessories for our loved ones. Out there currently there are far too many companies and it is very, very difficult to find one which can be consumer oriented rather than totally profit oriented.
We managed to get a wheel chair for my father in 2006/2007 and the chair, I can say is very good as it has been with us to Hainan and Beijing.
Before my father was discharged in May 2011 from pneumonia, I was faced with many challenges as to where to get the various equipment and accessories for him. Vendors recommended by hospital are good reference point but it does not help much. What is missing in the current system is a personalised service to advise families accordingly. Anyone is free to contact me @ davidphsoh@gmail.com, if they need any 'advise:
I managed to get the following items prior to his discharged.
- Hospital bed - this is very different and unique as I do not want him to have a feeling of being in hospital
- Rental of Oxygen Machine and purchase of accessories
- Purchase of suction machine and accessories as I feel we should get a new one.
- Statescopy
- Oxygen barometer etc
We need to know what other services are available in order to assist us in home care services for our loved ones.
- Availability of Home care nursing services
- 24-hour doctor service
- Transport with Wheel Chair facility for visits to hospital
- Hospital Home services eg physiotherapy, speech therapists etc
FINAL REST FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS
When the loved one passed away at home, it will be good besides calling the Ambulance, to call the 24-hour doctor. With the doctor being able to certified that the loved one has passed away, it eliminate the need to send the loved one to the mortuary. With the certificate issued by the doctor, the family members are able to get the Death Certificate issued by the nearest Police Station.
Whilst the loved one still alive, it will be good that a checklist be made on the funneral arrangements etc in order to eliminate any family disagreements when the loved ones passed away. Issues like where the wake be held, number of days etc.
COLUMBARIA
Based on experience, when the family booked the place for the niche final resting place, please take note of the following:
a. That the place does not have ridiculous opening and closing timings
b. That they do not restrict to the use of wording or layout of the marble plaque for the niche
MOURNING PERIOD
This is very interesting as it varies with customs and religion.
WILLS AND CPF NOMINATIONS
Based on experienceCPF will discharged the balance money from the deceased CPF within a month provided the deceased has made a nomination.
For WILLs beware, to get a LETTER of PROBATE to execute the WILL will cost between $2500-$5000, which to me is 'crazy', what if deceased has only left behind a small amount.
DECEASED AIDS AND MEDICINE
It will be a waste to just donate the aids to those places who does not need and medicine etc throw away. For my dad's case we managed to give away his walking-frame, wheel chair etc, and some of his other aids sold to those in need at a lesser price. Medicine though plenty, we give to those who are taking similar medicine and does not mind. This is 'something missing', helping those who have the items to give away. Anyway, I do have contact for those who could help us.
I hope this WEBSITE will be useful, do feel free to email me if you need more information.
Thank you and God Bless for taking the time to go through my website.
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