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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