Memories May Fade, but Love Endures 

Mr and Mrs Chua with SLEC staff at our Senior Care Centre @ Rivervale

When memories began to slip away… 

One evening, Mr Chua Guan Cheng, 62, came home unusually late.

When he finally returned and explained that he had taken the wrong bus and lost his way, his wife, Mrs Chua realised something was not right.

It was not the first sign. Mr Chua had been dialling wrong numbers, struggling to remember passwords, and losing focus at work. Tasks that once came naturally were becoming difficult.

After further tests, the diagnosis came in 2023: Alzheimer’s Disease. The news shook the entire family.

When the family’s pillar began to struggle… 

For over 20 years, Mr Chua managed inventory for heavy machinery – a role that demanded precision. He took pride in his work and in providing for his family. But repeated mistakes led to his dismissal. Suddenly, the family’s provider found himself at home – restless, anxious, and unsure what to do. He called his wife repeatedly while she was at work, panicking because he felt alone.

“I felt helpless,” Mrs Chua shared. “And guilty I couldn’t do more.”

Moments of care can still fill their world with colours….

Mr Chua was eventually referred to St Luke’s Eldercare (SLEC). While Mrs Chua was initially worried that others might not understand his needs, the staff at SLEC Senior Care Centre @ Rivervale welcomed him warmly, learning his routines and involving him in meaningful activities.

Every morning, he prepares himself to go to the centre – a simple routine that many might take for granted, but one that now gives his days structure and rhythm. He finds joy in activities like colouring, focusing intently on each piece – a quiet reminder that he can still do things well. In many ways, having these routines is like restoring a sense of normalcy and self.

Though the details of yesterday may blur, the beauty of the journey remains. Your support ensures that for elders like Mr Chua, every day is still painted in its brightest colours.