MS Features: The young Singaporean working with the elderly for a living
For Singaporean Johansen Bin Jauhari, changing adult diapers and medical appointments became the norm when his grandmother’s health deteriorated just months after he enlisted in National Service (NS).
Instead of shying away from the challenge, he fully embraced the role.
Johansen even dove into a career helping the elderly and supporting their caregivers.
Now 27, Johansen facilitates programmes for the senior residents of Tampines to keep them healthy and happy in their golden years.
His caregiving journey, it turns out, started much earlier.
When he was in primary school, a serious medical emergency involving another loved one first pulled him into that world.
Early exposure to caregiving in primary school
Five days a week, the programme associate spends his time with seniors at Home Nursing Foundation’s (HNF) Active Ageing Centre in Tampines.
He leads group exercises, sets up lunches, plays social games of bingo and mahjong, and more. Johansen even makes house calls to nearby elderly residents.
Image courtesy of Johansen Bin Jauhari
And while he seems settled into his role now, Johansen shared that caregiving didn’t come naturally, especially when he was first thrust into it as a young boy.
When Johansen was in primary school, his grandfather suffered a stroke that left him bedridden.
At the time, he recalled feeling “awkward” while caring for his grandfather, a man he had viewed as his father figure since preschool.
“My mum worked night shifts, so the majority of my care growing up was handled by my grandparents,” said Johansen.
He said he was especially close to his grandfather, a gentle man who often took him to KFC and the playground after nursery and kindergarten classes.
His grandfather’s illness, however, reversed roles in the household and shifted family dynamics.
When my granddad got sicker, that’s when our image of him changed… from being the person taking care of us, to feeding him and changing his diapers.
Image courtesy of Johansen Bin Jauhari
Johansen struggled to accept that his once-dependable grandfather now needed help with the simplest things.
“It was a challenge for me to see him suffering,” he said.
“But that’s when the world of caregiving opened up to me as well, and when I better understood the role of being a caregiver.”
Maturing into his role as a caregiver
Johansen eventually became a primary caregiver after completing his tertiary studies at Temasek Polytechnic.
This time, his grandmother, an independent, stern but caring woman, needed his help.
Her health deteriorated about six months after Johansen entered NS.
“My oldest sister was working at the time, and my younger siblings were still schooling,” said Johansen, the second oldest of five siblings.
Image courtesy of Johansen Bin Jauhari
With the most flexible schedule, Johansen became his grandmother’s full-time caregiver until they found a suitable helper.
His academic background in gerontology, the study of ageing, was another major reason he was the natural choice.
“My siblings and relatives understood that it was something I studied, so it was easier for me to become a caregiver for my grandmother,” he said.
“I better understood what their needs are and how to approach it differently.”
For Johansen, his second caregiving stint also felt more manageable than the first because he was more mature and now fully understood his responsibilities.
“When I took care of my grandfather, the adults told me what to do, and I did it,” he said.
But for my grandmother, it’s more of how to convince her that this is good for her or how can I assist with her rehabilitation journey.
Image courtesy of Johansen Bin Jauhari
Finding his way in the social sector
Johansen’s experience as a full-time caregiver also clarified what he wanted to do for a career.
Although he knew about options in social services, he was still hesitant to enter the field.
“Back then I didn’t think that it was a career for me because I didn’t want my passion to help others to become a duty or a job,” he said.
This mentality changed after he became a caregiver for his grandmother and saw how well-supported the industry had become.
Image courtesy of Johansen Bin Jauhari
Spending day after day with his grandmother also made him realise that the elderly were not entirely helpless.
Johansen heard unexpected stories about her travels, learning that she even visited Thailand despite not knowing the language.
“My perception of seniors has changed a lot… In such a rapidly advancing world, they are also trying their best to catch up and adapt,” he said.
The experience also surfaced sides of himself he hadn’t seen before.
“Caregiving made me realise I was more patient than I thought,” said Johansen. “It also let me realise that I was quite comfortable conversing and working with seniors.”
‘You are not alone’, says social worker to young caregivers
Johansen acknowledges that nobody is ever ready to step into a caregiving role. Especially if they are just about to start building their own career and lives.
“It is usually something you’re unprepared for, but thankfully there are resources now so you are not really alone,” said Johansen, pointing to examples such as the digital portal Carers Hub.
“So even if we’re not prepared for it, we can adapt when it comes down to it.”
Source: Carers Hub website
He advises first-time caregivers to look to such resources and ultimately, to take things one day at a time.
“When you take things one day at a time, you get to understand your parents more, and you’ll know how to care for them better,” said Johansen.
He also encourages other young people hoping to join the social service industry to take the plunge if they have the heart.
Johansen is clear that you don’t need to walk in as the kindest, most knowledgeable, or most patient person in the room.
The important part is being adaptable, empathetic, and understanding of different individuals’ and families’ needs, and the rest will come naturally.
“I think a lot of the skills will be picked up once you start the job. You will learn from your colleagues and from the seniors as well.”
Also read: Miniature horses visit Jurong West nursing home to help seniors open up & stay engaged
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Featured image by MS News and courtesy of Johansen Bin Jauhari.
