"Empowering The Elderly" seminar

             Seeing mum recovering is one thing, and having to undergo the many pressures together with her is another thing. All these prompted me to go and find out myself about ageing issues and caring for the elderly.  Something that all of us, young and old, should be aware of to help those people in need around us.  The Malaysian Healthy Ageing Society (MHAS) together with the Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Putra Malaysia (UPM) had recently organised a seminar namely "EMPOWERING THE ELDERLY" that offered indepth knowledge and understanding in managing the elderly through the many interesting topics, together with several interactive workshops delivered exclusively by the professionals. 

The banner at the entrance of Auditorium Majlis Bandaraya Kuching Selatan (MBKS), Kuching

The registration fee for the 2-day seminar is only RM50 and I got all these!

An Introduction given by Datin Sivaneswari Pillay, the Committee Member of MHAS, who also presented a wonderful lecture entitled "Being Happy" giving us tips on how to be happy.  As quoted by Ralph Waldo Emerson:  "Happiness is like a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting a few drops in yourself." , we'll be happy when we can make others happy too.  

  

The Q&A sessions with these three speakers.  Associated Prof Nathan Vytialingam, a lecturer and consultant occupational therapist from UPM gave several topics regarding Healthy Ageing, Preparing for Death and telling people how to maintain a healthy sex life.  Ms Renuga Devy, on the other hand, is an advocate and solicitor (also the Hon. Secretary of MHAS) gave some important legal advices with the popular topics of Will Writing and Trust.  Then, more lectures were prepared by another lecturer, this time a Consultant Psychiatrist from International Medical University, Clinical School of Seremban laid some important details in our minds about overcoming depression in the elderly and giving tips on how we can manage stress. 

 There are actually 5 simple tips to stress management:

(1)  Laugh out Loud

(2)  Sing a song

(3)  Take a walk

(4)  Chew gum

(5)  Deep breath (aromatherapy)

So hope all these help!

The Mayor of Kuching South Municipal Council came to launch the event.

A topic I was looking forward to...."Living with Cancer: Empowering the Care Giver" given by Dr Ravindran Kanesvaran, an oncologist from National Cancer Centre of Singapore.

 

An interactive workshop about the use of several mobility aids

Explanation on the use of crutches by Mr Thillainathan Krishnan, an Occupational Therapist from Hospital Selayang, Selangor

 

One of the many participants explained on the use of walking frame

Wheelchair

Finally another interactive workshop given by a TENA product Specialist, Ms Latha Sellertorai about Incontinence.

 

At least, with the knowledge and skills that I could absorbed during these two days seminar, I'll become more confident in my role as a care giver not only to my mum but able to understand the needs and feelings of other people too.  I guess, the most important thing that we should bear in mind is to be happy, less stressful, pray for assistance from God and avoid ourselves from being burnt out of the mind, body and soul.  

I believe, we're also born to take care of other people.