New book for Nursing students to spur understanding of ageing

Freshmen from the Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies taking an elective module on caring for the elderly can now take reference from a new textbook representing localised case studies and resources.

The 82-page textbook, titled “Healthy Ageing and Well-being in Singapore”, is written by senior lecturer Dr Rosalind Siah, who for years taught a module on the same name without instructional material she felt represented Singapore’s healthcare context.

“Some students struggled to understand and apply concepts they read in books and journal articles, which were pegged to Western healthcare contexts,” said Dr Siah, who had wanted to write such a textbook since she was a Masters student studying gerontology. She could not find many localised resources to take reference from and could understand her students’ pain points.

The nurse clinician at the Singapore General Hospital included in her book case study discussions based on the geriatric patients she sees in her adjunct appointment, who suffer from chronic diseases, face caregiver-related issues, and grapple with multiple challenges in health maintenance post-discharge.

“Marrying my role as clinician and educator, I presented real-life scenarios and the most current information to my students, while challenging them to devise feasible solutions to solve the problems faced by the elderly in different situations,” said the 38-year-old nurse-turned-educator.

The book, co-authored by Professor Emily Ang, is published by NUS Press. Its five chapters examine and apply theories and concepts of ageing, and explore the biopsychosocial issues as well as the physiological and psychosocial changes that accompany it.

While its main aim is to equip Nursing students to meet the needs of an ageing population, it is relevant reading for all working with the elderly or in gerontology care, such as social workers and doctors, since it advocates inter-professional, team-based elderly care, said Dr Siah.

Holistic view of ageing

Singapore has one of the fastest ageing populations in Asia. It is estimated that by 2030, almost one in five people in Singapore will be over the age of 65.

“Our elderly population is ageing better compared to a decade ago. They live longer and suffer slower functional decline.

“But we are not doing so well in the area of chronic diseases — we have one of the highest numbers of citizens globally who suffer from chronic diseases and develop complications from those diseases,” she said.

To Dr Siah, ageing does not necessarily mean ill health. “By focusing on a holistic approach to well-being, older adults are likely to achieve optimal levels of functioning and quality of life,” she added.

The book advocates tackling the key challenges of greying not just from the medical perspective but from examining issues from technology disengagement to caregiving and social isolation among the growing number of elderly persons living alone.

(Singapore elderly) live longer and are more functional with rehabilitation. But (they) are not doing so well in the area of chronic diseases — we have one of the highest numbers of citizens globally with chronic diseases.

Dr Siah hopes the book she co-authored can give students a firm understanding of the issues related to ageing and well-being, spanning chronic diseases, family structure, social infrastructure as well as healthcare delivery and retirement.

“Nursing students play a crucial role in educating and creating awareness among the elderly and their caregivers about the resources available to them in the community and beyond. They are expected to have the critical thinking skills needed to respond to different situations on the ground,” she said.

After completing the module, students are expected to apply what they have learnt on elderly care during their clinical postings to the community hospitals and nursing homes.

“For a start, I hope this book will empower students and healthcare professionals to relate to and communicate better with the elderly so that the aged get the attention and resources that they need. If the needs of an ageing population are not understood, society as a whole has to deal with the dysfunction and impact on healthcare and labour costs,” she explained.

Dr Siah has also developed a series of podcasts featuring invited guests to discuss the issues raised in the book’s five chapters, and plans to refresh the book every five years to keep its content current.