The most amazing thing happened - Kaori wrote to me to say that he happened to be at an elder care home yesterday and who should he have seen but the man who used to be with cat on a leash? I'm not too clear on the details - and perhaps Kaori can fill them in if he happens to stop in on this blog - but apparently he WAS arrested. He also cannot leave the home.
Kaori has written to the home. He thinks it unlikely that they'll let the cat stay at the home, but being extremely sweet about it, he would like to give the man some closure. As such, he's asking if the home will let him bring the cat for a visit.
20 comments:
I am sorry for the man. He sure misses his cat. Hope the visit is successful. I hope he won't spend his old age in the home miserably.
Alright, from what I had gathered, the old man was taken away by MCYS. Destitute old folks can be taken away by MCYS and put into one of the few Eldercare facilities whose residents are picked up from void decks and other public places. Despite the fact that he was not begging and the shopowner was accomodating to him, the authorities were probably alerted as he was featured in the news or by Town Council or even a disgruntled police officer (since cannot remove a public eyesore when he's not commiting a crime) Such home residents can only leave if their family bail them out and sign an undertaking to take care of them. The old man said he has two grownup children and his wife is living in a flat bought with his CPF, but apparently they have strained relations.
He is coherent in speech, not physically impaired but was found to have a lung problem when he had a health checkup. He was sitting by himself all the time when I was at the home - do not mix with other folks, even those who are more able-bodied.
Thanks Kaori for the update - and thanks for bringing the cat over to visit. I am sure that both man and cat will be happy to see each other.
So elder care home ban pets for its residents? Wouldn't it be depressing seeing only ill, dying and aging invalids? when I was ill, my 2 dogs kept me going would have lost the fight if not for them.
Amazing kindness for Kaori to bring cat to old man.
I wonder what if the man prefers to live on the streets, or to live in a "home". I also wonders if his opinion matters to MCYS.
Yes yskat - am quite sure the man would prefer to live on the streets too.
Anonymous - I think most (if not all) eldercare facilities do not allow animals on premises. One of the premises we spoke to wanted to do so but were told they were not allowed to due to hygiene reasons.
Yeah, i feel sorry for the man too. Think he misses his freedom and his cat... it's sad that he's not mixing with the other folks too, probably bit of a loner type. Hope Kaori will be able to get the home to let the cat make a visit there. Thanks for your kindness, Kaori!
If he is cognitively sound, he can apply for public assistance and then apply to HDB to partner with another elderly to rent a HDB one-room rental flat. He can keep the cat although not legally but as long as he is able to keep the cat indoor, residents in one-room rental block are more tolerant.
Speak to the social worker of the home and see if something can be done for him to let him live a more dignified life.
Sounds like a prison. The animals are there to bring joy not death or deseases to the elder home.
There is a need to build an elder home for animal caregivers when they are old. Without animals, we will die earlier.
The old man should stay in the street and receive pocket money from animal caregivers and free meals and medical treatment from
government.
Old man seems like cats placed in a shelter - safe but he/it has lost his/its freedom.
I think Kaori is trying to help as much as he and Meow can. He has already been given permission to visit.
I wonder if cat shelters can take him in. He obviously loves his cat, hopefully all cats.He can earn his keep by helping out.
A cat shelter that functions as an elder home but also keep the residents engaged in upkeeping the cats...sounds possible but probably not this country.
As much as we wish to keep the folks happy with pets, there are 2 ever-present issues - allocation of resources and keeping everyone happy. If this is a home where residents' families pay for upkeep, I guess there might be more room to work out an arrangement. If one is allowed a cat, others will demand to keep hamster,luohanfish etc...then again not everyone may like pets or a particular type.
then there is a need for an aquarium for those who like fish, a pet station for rabbits, hamsters and if all this could cheer the residents a little, why not? Reason is staff doesn't want to maintain animals as they have other life and death issues to handle.
Anonymous - getting the residents to care for the animals would be one way around it. I know with some caregivers, they tell me that this is the reason that they get up in the morning - and I wouldn't be surprised if it keeps them more active.
Read Plants, animals bring comfort, joy to elderly
Quotes
Tendercare used to have pet therapy sessions where a resident could come to a room and pet an animal for an hour or so, but Fassett said the present situation with live in pets is much better.
"That (the pet therapy sessions) was actually detrimental because it just shows them what they don't have."
"The cats are great."
Some residents who are sensory-deprived love the feel of the animals.
"There's one woman who just loves the feeling of the cat rubbing on her cheek - her fur on her cheek," Claucherty said.
We kid ourselves with first world medical facilities but we maintain a primitive attitude towards our fellow human who need care.
Medical professionals view patients as a illness, as a destitute, as an infirmed.
They have yet to view patients as human beings with needs that go beyond just medication, a roof, a meal.
They suffer far more pain from a sense of uselessness, boredom and loneliness.
Sitting around waiting for death to come is far worse than lying under the open sky with his favourite feline companion.
We will reach that level of true compassionate care if the director of such a eldercare facility allow the cat to live in with this gentleman.
I believe as a person approaches their aged years, they would seek companionship more than just medical help. Companionship from a trusting, fluffy friend is priceless as they don't expect much from you in return for their affection.
I know about so many places in other countries keeping animals as a form of therapy to the inhabitants to no adverse effects. Why oh why Singapore love making people stay in a sterile place devoid of real life?
I wish that my future 'home' will be filled with happy, free-roaming animals. Nothing feels better than waking up to a snoozing feline friend beside you...
I agree - and nice to 'see' you too Barffie.
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