Journal of Alzheimers Disease & Parkinsonism
Open Access

Abstract

One of the emphases today in Jamiyah Singapore is on avoiding premature institutionalization of the frail elderly with dementia. Singapore should as far as possible decrease use of the expensive and debilitating nursing home care. This is not to say that institutional services should be totally eliminated, but that they must be used more judiciously. As the aging population increases, question remains how many of the elderly will need the costly institutional care necessary to deal with chronic illness and how many should be re-channeled to less expensive, yet more meaningful alternatives. The feasibility of such cost-saving community long-term care alternatives is based on the idea of a “continuum of care”, the provision of an appropriate level of service for elderly citizens in various stages of health and aging. Jamiyah Singapore recognizes that the ageing of the Singaporean population is expected to pose a major challenge to Singapore’s socioeconomic progress and the face of healthcare in Singapore is changing. Advancements in technology, pharmacology, and medical healthcare practice contribute to extension of the average lifespan. Amidst these changes, chronic diseases are emerging as a priority topic. In general, the goal of treatment is to restore the elderly to their highest level of functioning. This includes optimizing medical, emotional, social, educational and vocational functioning and bringing them as close to full independence as their condition allow. Jamiyah Singapore has set up more than 15 services and programs such as counselling, senior therapy services, residential homes, food bank, etc. These services aim to help persons from various vulnerable and disadvantaged groups across all ages and ethnic background to ensure that anyone who needs help and their caregivers get the necessary support they need. The predominant aims for which the organization was established are to provide a comprehensive planned approach for the direct relief of poverty, sickness, suffering, distress, misfortune, destitution or helplessness in the community.

Biography

Satyaprakash Tiwari has spearheaded and operationalized four Voluntary Welfare Organizations (VWOs), piloted the first home help service and dementia day care center and developed numerous community-based programs and initiatives in Singapore. Having been a Senior-Level Executive in VWOs for over 30 years, he earned a formidable reputation in relation to his expertise in initiating and institutionalizing significant programs with highly effective management skills and ability to develop longstanding commercial, inter-agency and client relationships.