As part of their curriculum, psychology students from SEGi College Kuala Lumpur pursuing the American Degree Program (ADP) recently visited St Mark’s Cozy Home, a private old folk’s home. The goal of the field trip was for students to interact with the elderly residents and become acquainted with the environment of a nursing home. The purpose of the visit was to broaden the students’ knowledge beyond the textbook and give them hands-on experience with the concepts they learned in class.
During the visit, students participated in a variety of motor skills activities such as the Rolling Can Challenge, Water Bottle Bowling, and Ping Pong Ball in a Water Cup. These activities provided students with the opportunity to interact with elderly residents and gain first hand experience caring for the elderly. Students were also shown around the medication room, physiotherapy room, counselling room, vacant resident’s living room, and the significance of wall railing.
Esther Appadurai, the Home Manager, attended the student’s impromptu interview and provided valuable insights regarding the education qualification of staff, living conditions of the home, types of activities conducted for the elderly, couple elderly, family visitation, food diet, and government fund support for Malaysian Old Folks Home. Students gained practical insights that will help them in their future careers as psychologists, gerontologists, and in other aspects of their personal lives.
The visit to St Mark’s Cozy Home is significant because it emphasises the importance of understanding the elderly’s unique health needs and the abilities required for caregiving. According to the United Nations, the global population of people over the age of 65 is expected to triple by 2050, with developing countries experiencing the greatest increase. The number of elderly Malaysians aged 60 and above is expected to reach 5.5 million by 2030. As a result, it is critical to train the next generation in the skills required to care for the elderly.
Finally, the field trip to St Mark’s Cozy Home gave students hands-on experience caring for the elderly, expanding their knowledge beyond the textbook. The visit allowed students to interact with the elderly residents, giving them a unique perspective on the elderly’s unique health needs. Students will benefit from the experience in their future careers as psychologists, gerontologists, and in various other aspects of their personal lives.
