Cherished in a Place That Feels Like Home

Mdm Lucy Lee and her daughter, Joey.

“The people here are very nice, they sayang me a lot.”

The first time volunteers sang Happy Birthday to Mdm Lucy Lee, she burst into tears.

For the 73-year-old living with mild dementia, it was more than a simple song. It was a moment of feeling remembered, cherished and celebrated.

Before joining SLEC Senior Care Centre @ Sumang, Mdm Lucy spent most of her days alone at home doing household chores and watching television.

Concerned that her mother was becoming increasingly isolated, Serene, Mdm Lucy’s eldest daughter encouraged her to join the centre to stay active and healthy.

During her first week, Mdm Lucy felt apprehensive. Surrounded by unfamiliar faces, she wondered if she would fit in. But soon, those unfamiliar faces became friends and a community that cared for her like family. Serene recalls Mdm Lucy telling her, “The people here are very nice, they sayang me a lot.”

Today, Mdm Lucy rarely misses a day at the centre. She has discovered new interests, especially paper quilling. After weeks of patient effort, she proudly presented her first artwork. She also enjoys the volunteers’ music performances. But most precious are the new friendships that give her something to look forward to each morning.

One particularly cherished memory was an outing to Gardens by the Bay. Together with fellow elders and their loved ones, Mdm Lucy spent the day admiring the flowers, accompanied by her second daughter, Joey.

For Mdm Lucy, these moments are reminders that she is not alone. For her two daughters, seeing their mother happy and well cared for brings priceless peace of mind.