Visit To SWAMI

Finally, today is the day, which i will be going and looking for this SWAMI Home, since i have never been there, and has totally no clue at all, about this place. So, my visit was at 11.30 am. And so,i left very early, at about 10 am, as i have been informed that Sembawang is located very far from the place i stay. So, it's a long journey,and since it's my first day, i should arrive early.Therefore, after taking shower and putting up a casual clothes,the journey began.

Well, i had to take the MRT from Eunos all the way to City Hall, and then changed to the other train, all the way to Sembawang. It was really a long way, took about 1 hour. That was fine. The main problem came when i arrived there. Actually, i have no idea where is the actually this home located, so i got into a taxi , and told him the address.To my surprise, he didn't know as well. Then we were looking at the map and find this road. After like 20 minutes, then he gave up on me, and decided not to take me as customer. Well, i was really helpless at that time, and luckily, the next taxi driver which i cought knew the place.Thank God, i guess it's good karma...haha.

Arrived at SWAMI Home finally....but, still i had to wait like 45 minutes cause the officer that were supposed to meet me wasn't there. Hence, after waiting there and looking around, he finally back, and then i was taken with a women to look around all the units in SWAMI home. While visiting around, i was told that SWAMI provides residential care, day care and home care for the elders. Below are the summaries of the services provided:

1) Residential Care - 190 bedded Geriatric Wards , 50 bedded Dementia Wards.

2) Day Care - a)Dementia Day Care Centre , b)Day Rehabilitation Centre

3) Home Care - a)Home Medical Service, b)Home Nursing Service, c)Home Help

Service, d)Home Counselling, e)Home Rehabilitation

I was taken to every department, and get to see every part of the home. It's really big, with ponds full of fat (not big,but fat ) fish. The elders there looked pathetic,they looked so lonely,so helpless. Some are unable to walk,some are unable to eat, some are unable to talk, and worst, some can only lay on bed whole day. Felt kind of sorry and watching them made me think lots about life, and how fragile and short life is.I guess since life is so short and fragile, it even more important for us to live happilly everyday, and make everyday a meaningful day with love. And of course, healthy lifestyle included.

After visiting, we went to the office and discuss about the working hour for me this young volunteer from Malaysia who stay so far from the home. After filling some forms, and answering some questions such as ''What skills i have?'' , finally they decided to put me in Nursing Department (Tuesday), Physiotherapy Department (Thursday) and Day Care for Dementia (Friday). So, since i have no objection, and that's going to be my working time and working duty.

Thus,this is it....am i worried? no,not really. I think i am ready to handle this job and looking forward to it....