8 Indoor Activities for Wheelchair bound Elderlies

8 Wholesome Indoor Activities for Seniors on Wheelchairs

During our weekly date with my parents, I would usually bring them the park for Vitamin D sunlight, shopping or meals at random restaurants.

Since I become a trainer 2 years ago, I make an effort to plan engaging wholesome activities for my parents. I try to include activities which stretch their brain cells and practice their fine motor skills while we spend quality time together.

Both of my aging parents require wheelchair to move around, hence the activities selected have to take this in consideration.

I find that it is easier to plan indoor activities for mum as there are more varieties of sit-down activities for females. Ladies can do flower arrangement, sewing, origami, beading, cake decoration, art and crafts... The list goes on... but there are limited tools for our elderly men. This is especially obvious when they are not highly educated. Sudoku, crossword puzzles or learning a new musical instrument would be tougher for them.

For my father, I chose items which are not kiddish, feminine or western; so he would feel comfortable using them. The following are some of the suitable tools which keeps my retiree dad occupied at home. They prevents dementia or degenerative aging. Some of these games are fitting for elderly ladies too!


1. Memory Game

A very simple memory game to play with old folks.
 

I bought it from a push cart.

2. 3D Model Building

Building a cool Jeep gives my dad a great sense of accomplishment.
Planes, tanks and architecture models are available as well. Very affordable.

We intend to paint it together one of these days.

 

3. Tangoes Game

Dad gets creative as he think of ways to form the shapes with limited pieces given.
Solutions are provided in this booklet.

This game set is suitable for the elderly as it is thick enough for adults to hold and
magnetic features to prevent the Tangoes from dropping. Brilliant for long-distance travelling.

This game can be played when the senior is alone.

4. Wooden Block Puzzles

The pieces are labelled with numbers.

5. Building Game

Plastic construction toys that joined by magnets.
Fun way to get the mind and hands working!

6. Coloring

Retro-themed coloring activity book "My Kueh Lapis". 

7. Calligraphy

Dad practicing Chinese calligraphy using papers that can be reused.

I intend to introduce western calligraphy to him.

8. Mahjong

All time favorite social strategy game!
My mother-in-law plays Mahjong with her siblings weekly.

There are definitely many more ways to maintain an active healthy lifestyle, feel free to share additional senior activities ideas to me. 😊

First Muslim Parental Matchmaking

First Muslim Parental Matchmaking in Singapore

After running 4 sessions of Parental Matchmaking for the general public in Singapore. I decided to  organize a similar session for Muslim parents who are concerned about the marital status of their single children.

This is the first time we are conducting this for the Muslims. Based on my research, no one else has done this on a corporate level. I find a need for this session as Muslims are open to the idea of parents introducing potential life partners to them. Very excited to be able to help my fellow Muslim friends. Straits times featured about this event today.

These parents are comforted to  find
fellow parents who could identify with their feelings.

 

The next Parental Matchmaking for general public will be on 30th June, Tuesday, 7pm-10pm at Thr3e Bistro, 6 Raffles Boulevard Marina Square #01-07/08 Singapore 039594(Near City hall MRT). Price is $28 (Price includes GST, facilitation and a 15min talk about parental matchmaking etiquette)

Perk Myself Up

What do you do when you are stressed, listless or upset?

Everyone has different preference to deal with their issues. Some likes to shop, some likes to get drunk, while some likes to pull a prank on others. Shopping is therapeutic but can be draining to our finances. Being drunk might get us into trouble. Pranks might cost us retribution and relations.

There are many activities that we can do to make ourselves feel fabulous. But we want the fun without damaging our purse or reputation.

I encourage you to draw up your own "Pamper Myself" list. Brainstorm 20 healthy activities you have done in the past which made you feel awesome.

My "Love Lydia" list:
1. Taking a bath
2. Going on nature walks
3. Meeting new friends
4. Re-arranging my room
5. Hearing an inspiring speech
6. Pleasing my parents
7. Watching a comedy
8. Playing board games
9. Singing
10. Gardening
11. Wearing smart clothes
12. Seeing good things happen
to my family or friends
13. Talking about Philosophy
14. Drinking hot ginger tea
15. Complimenting someone
16. Preparing a new dish
17. Swimming
18. Getting massage
19. Spending time with my loved one
20. Listening to relaxing music

You will be surprised that most joys are pretty simple to execute, inexpensive and wholesome!


This list is an incredible way to remind ourselves the varieties we have whenever we need a recharge! This "Love Lydia" list also acts as my saviour. It distracts me from binging on my favourite potato chips. Oh… how addictive these Wasabi flavoured potato chips are! I could chomp down 3 packets at one go! Imagine the guilt aftermath. :S

I saved this useful list in my handphone and refer it whenever I feel the need to indulge. You might prefer to write it down in a card and keep it in our wallet or paste it in front of your desk. Whatever is more effective for you. Happy Pampering!

Rediffusion = Porridge

3 Cs why Rediffusion is like Teochew porridge:

Culture - reminds Chinese of our rich heritage and Singapore’s history, keep us connected with our roots. Essential for continuity of Asian tradition.

Comforting - reminds us of Ah Ma's cooking, warms our soul with love. Brings our hearts closer to home.

Colourful - great variety of dishes to cater to different taste.

Teochew Porridge at Cheong Chin Nam Road

Like Teochew porrridge, Rediffusion is enriching our lives and would be dearly missed if it is gone.  I wish the flavours of this station would be retained.

Rediffusion

Rediffusion will be going off the air come April 30. Rediffusion is a subscription radio that has a long history in Singapore. Since 1949, Rediffusion served the community, providing news, information as well as quality listening entertainment.

Their audience are mainly dialect speaking Chinese age 40 and above. I am honoured to have the opportunities to be interviewed during the VIP programme last December and this year's Valentine’s Day. I used Hokkien phrases freely on air and spoke about how parents could play a supportive role instead of pressurizing their children to get married.

Lydia outside the studio

Between the interviews, Teochew songs were played. The DJ and I casually chatted about the issues that old folks face in Singapore. We agree that Singapore has evolved so fast over the last 15 years that the illiterate folks find it tough to keep up with times.

My relatives in their 70s feedback why they feel cooped up at home. There have been so many new buildings and roads that they are afraid to get lost. They could not take public transport as they do not understand English, neither are they tech-savvy to use maps or GPS.  The safest way for them to commute alone out of their area is through taxi; which may be pricy for some of the retirees. As such they spend most of their time at home listening to Rediffusion.

While their kids and grand-kids are busy with work and school. Rediffusion has empowered these old folks mentally and emotionally. The dialect language is something they can relate to and it comforts them. If this radio service is gone, they will feel more lost, lonely and detached from society. Sincerely hope this station will be kept to accompany the old folks through their sunset years.

If it is not sustainable to keep Rediffusion due to commercial reasons, maybe MCYS can consider collaborating with Mediacorp to fill in this gap — a dialect radio station to meet the needs of the illiterate folks and senior citizens. It will be an avenue for youngsters to pick up their dialect and communicate with their grand parents too. There are more than 10 radio channels in Singapore. One dialect station will not dilute Mandarin or English language abilities but enrich Singapore's culture and make Singaporeans feel more connected to our roots.

A Simple Life

Movie Review from a caregiver's perspective

A Simple Life/桃姐/Sister Peach
Starring Andy Lau & Deanie Yip
Language: Mandarin with English & Chinese substitles

This reality of old age and death is something that glamour addicted silverscreen movie goers should avoid. Even the award-winning movie The Green Mile only manages to brush the surface on this subject. But in A Simple Life, director Ann Hui explores this subject subtly with depth and pockets of humour. It is quietly touching yet powerfully real… so real that the melodramatic scenes expected in a typical commercial film is unnecessary.

The only good thing about Tao-Jie’s stroke is bridging Roger and her closer. Without domestic help and a nagging voice at home, Roger learnt to be more appreciative of Tao-Jie. In the process of taking care of her, it strengthened the affinity between them. In fact, he was more attached to her than with his own mother. Tao-Jie is blessed to have Roger to cushion her sunset days with kindness, financial support and humour.

I could so empathise with how Roger the caregiver felt. My mum and I became closer when she suffered a stroke as well. After the stroke, mum was hospitalised and was unable to speak for weeks. I visited her in the hospital almost daily, applied moisturizer on her hands, lip balm on her dry lips caused by the air-con and prayed with her. She couldn’t speak then but look at me with gratitude. Mum has since recovered and is back home, she is able to speak and walk a little. Now, my siblings and I made regular effort to bring my parents out for dates. We appreciate every moment spent with them. Sincerely thank God that mum does not have to stay in the hospice like Tao-Jie.

I didn’t cry during the movie, but teared on the way driving home. In hind sight, I felt it must have been really tough for the caregivers to shoulder this burden, especially alone. They have to cope with stresses of career and family, bring in the dough to foot the medical bills and face the fear of losing their loved ones. In addition, it can be frustrating when dealing with old folks’ stubbornness— mainly caused by their inability to verbalise their vulnerability, pride and hopelessness. The old, invalid and sickly can be refered to the professionals, social welfare and charities for help. But who can the caregivers turn to for emotional support? For caregivers who are single, what happens when their “baby” is gone (death or senile)? Deep down, they must have wondered who will support them when it’s their turn to face the solitude of declining years.

This is a thought-provoking movie that resonates with people with aging, dependent and ill family member; it tacitly unveiled social issues of baby-boomers and the truths of Hong Kong hospice services. Definitely deserves many awards!

Date-friendly:
Although the movie is pleasantly filmed, this topic might be a little too heavy for first 3 dates.

Tips:
If possible, catch the Cantonese version as the essence of the Hong Kong culture will be better captured.

Lydia's Ratings:
8 out of 10 stars.

Release Date:
Singapore - 8 Mar 2012, Thursday

Trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMCoxooxQoI

Journey

A lady posted this catchy quotation on her Facebook.

Forget about the pursuit of happiness. That way lies grief. Concentrate on the happiness of pursuit.

This is a quotation from the book "Psychology of Happiness", the author saw this quotation on a poster.

Thumbs up Hi-5* agree with this statement!
Too many times, we get too goal-oriented that we forgot to smell the roses that God has planted along the way.

This is especially real in relationships. Parents get so sucked into the system of "meritocrazy", kept pushing the kids for results that they miss the innocent fun of childhood. Couples get so engrossed in planning the perfect wedding, end up quarrelling and spoilt the joy of doing things together. Singles get so determined to win the most eligible mate that they kill the romance away.

Meritocracy is an ideology, perfect wedding only happens in fairy tales, eligibility is set by peers and society. Why let someone's ideology, someone's stories, someone's definition affect your pursuit of happiness?

I am not encouraging people to get distracted, go off course or lost direction. When we enjoy the journey, it lightens the stress of winning/losing. The irony is when we enjoy the process, we increase the possibility of winning! Eg: ladies has to enjoy talking with you before she will agree to go on dates with you right?!

All we have to do is take a step back. Breathe. Hear our heart's desire (Hint: usually it is simple, like spending a little quality time with our loved ones). Appreciate whatever we have and enjoy the scenery! Oh.. We might catch the rainbow along the way! J

Contraband

Movie review from a lady's perspective

Cool Factor:
Daddies with Guns!
I grew up in an era when kids scrambled to behave on sight of parents. In this movie, it's the other way round! Fathers switch off violence instantly and behave in front of their children. It goes to show that fathers have evolved. They are more aware of the feelings of children. Beneath a criminal, there is a sensitive, protective and supportive father too.

In this heist film, fathers could be loving yet dangerous at the same time! How cool, contrasting and unusual is that?! This would be the ideal movie for dads to bond with their adult children (M18).

Movie Synopsis:
Mark Wahlberg leads the cast of  CONTRABAND — a fast-paced thriller about a man trying to stay out of a world he worked so hard to leave behind and the family he’ll do anything to protect. 

Cast:
Incredibility well-chosen!
~ Especially the helpless nerdy brother-in-law (X-Men: First Class star Caleb Landry Jones) who screw things up innocently.
~ Mark Wahlberg is a reformed criminal, faithful husband and loving dad in reality. Besides replicating the same tensed angst from The Fighter and The Departed — the hero who doesn't express much verbally, but will get in there and fight for his love. Here, we get to see a softer, happier and affectionate side of him.
~ Stunning screen darling Kate Beckinsale emits strength and sensitivity while protecting her family. A refreshing break from the glamorous wall-flower roles she had before. Brilliant!

Date-friendly:
For guys who are concerned if your girl might be bored by this thriller. Good news for you! Contraband might seems like a ultra-macho movie, however, it is not overtly packed with Bang!, Wham! and chaos. There is healthy outlets for performers to exhibit vulnerable emotions and an exciting plot — which girls will appreciate.

Tips:
As the director's focus is in capturing what’s organic and in the moment, part of the cinematography is done freestyle. Hence, chose seats away from the movie screen to prevent giddiness.

Lydia's Ratings:
7 out of 10 stars.

Release Date:
Singapore - 12 January 2012, Thursday

Trailer:
http://www.contrabandmovie.net/

Mum upset over school haircut for son

Rules and regulations in education institutions teach the kids how to respect authority and boundaries. Every school has their rules and regulations to maintain. They have the right to exercise disciplinary actions when their students broke the rules.

When my nephew received a FREE haircut from his discipline master, we had a good laugh with him. We supported the school's initiative to teach him how a self-respecting student should look like. This is basic image grooming.

If the parents find the rules unreasonable or unfairly practised in school, they could feedback to the school or MOE. Why did Madam Yeo (from the article) have to call the police?

The article mentioned that kid was traumatised over haircut. I understand that teenagers are conscious of their image. A wise parent will teach their children to manage their emotions, manage stituations in a real world and manage expectations from society. If parents get over protective, how is he going to endure army? How is he going to face rejection or failure in future? Is he suppose to call the police whenever he feels upset?

When parents over-shelter their kids, I wonder how children could grow in discipline, strength or independence. Males who are raised from such protective environment probably end up lacking in confidence, initiative and leadership qualities.

Mummy will always love her boy. But will other ladies find him attractive? I'm afraid not...

Mothers, the future of your child is in your hand. Please nurture men, not boys!