For its chronically ill and frail elderly residents, most of whom are either bedridden or wheelchair-bound, Methodist Welfare Services (MWS) Nursing Homes provide much-needed care, comfort and compassion on a daily basis.
With priority given to the destitute and members of low-income families, MWS Nursing Homes focus on helping elderly residents improve their quality of life while maintaining or delaying the decline of health and function through medical and nursing care, therapy and rehabilitation.
In line with MWS’ Philosophy of Care, its nursing homes offer holistic, resident-directed and integrated care while developing ways to strengthen a sense of communal belonging among its residents.
MWS takes a multidisciplinary team approach in putting together an individual care plan for each resident. Residents are also part of a larger “family unit” where they are cared for, with opportunities to interact in a home-like setting.
Working together to transform eldercare
As a joint community partner, Lew Foundation has contributed $4.5 million to MWS, part of which goes towards supporting the operations of MWS Nursing Home – Yew Tee, which provides long-term residential care for residents who are mostly bed-bound or wheelchair-bound.
The contributions have also gone towards funding the Care Remodelling Project at MWS Bethany Nursing Home – Choa Chu Kang, which represents a transformative and thoughtful approach towards eldercare at a nursing home.
The nursing home provides holistic care that caters for the physical, mental, social, emotional and spiritual needs of residents. Depending on the individual’s needs, the comprehensive range of services include medical, nursing and dental care, occupational and physiotherapy, therapeutic and rehabilitative activities, as well as social and recreational activities.
In particular, its award-winning Hope Kee programme aims to help residents increase their level of self-reliance and improve their quality of life through participation in social activities, taking on small tasks or learning to move around independently.
As part of the remodelling of the facility, existing 12-bed dormitory clusters will be converted into five-bed units, enabling residents to receive an enhanced level of care and comfort. In addition, it also involves the creation of a dementia-friendly home environment for intermediate to long-term stay senior residents.
Beyond functional improvements, these changes are aimed at enabling the elderly to live a life of dignity by providing them with a conducive environment for active aging, more personal space and privacy, and a greater sense of confidence and autonomy.
When completed, the remodelled facility will benefit more than 280 residents who are either from low-income families or have no next of kin. 90% of these residents are either bedridden or wheelchair-bound, requiring intensive nursing care and rehabilitative services to help them with basic daily needs from dressing, feeding and toileting, to functional mobility.