As the Singapore population aged, more and more Singaporeans has chosen to send their loves one to elderly home for better care. Thankfully, most of these elderly are trustworthy to allow younger Singaporeans to leave their loves one under their care with peace in mind.
However, it is not the case for a Facebook user Royster Tan, as he claimed that an elderly home in Hougang allegedly told his mother to re-used a mask that she had earlier vomit into.
In his post:
“St Luke’s ElderCare Hougang centre staff at Hougang Ave1 Blk 126 shame on you to treat a helpless elderly with such insensitive & inhuman treatment.
My mum was not feeling well and vomited after lunch. The staff at the centre after cleaning up reused this soiled and dirty mask on her. When my Mum helplessly told them the mask was dirty, the staff told her it’s ok and went ahead to reuse the mask.
Can’t you simply offer a clean mask for this poor elderly, does it really cost you so much for a new mask??
Especially during this period of the pandemic, good hygiene for the elderly is the top priority but you failed in your basic responsibilities.
If the cost of a mask is really so high for the centre, you can always bill us for the usage.
On other occasions, you also didn’t clean up my mum immediately after she passed a motion in her diaper. Leaving this defenceless elderly in her soiled diaper for hours which have caused rashes. This has happened a few times despite countless feedback.
I wished that I could have got there earlier to relieve the suffering of my dearest mother. I am so sorry Mum!!
I hope the management of St Luke’s ElderCare could do something to improve the situation.“
Royster has filed a complaint with the management and the elderly home has responded stating that investigations are ongoing in regards to the matter.
Elderly Home Response:
“Statement Regarding an Incident at Our Hougang Centre
We are aware of a complaint and news article that are circulating on social media platforms. The alleged incident involved our care staff allowing an elder to wear a soiled mask. We are investigating the matter and have contacted the family members involved. Any such treatment of an elder in our care would not be consistent with our care values. We will take action if we find any lapses, and review our processes to see if they can be improved. We remain committed to providing the best care for our elders.
Sincerely, St Luke’s ElderCare Management“
