St John’s Home for Elderly Persons has put in place a comprehensive programme to promote the physical and mental well-being of its residents. This programme comprises physiotherapy, group exercises and recreational activities.

A professional Physiotherapist draws up the customised programmes which are implemented and followed up daily by the Physiotherapy Aides (PAs).

Ruby is one of two PAs who work at the Home. Her workday starts at 7 am when she conducts morning exercises 5 days a week. She leads the residents in their group and individual exercises. Some of the residents are independent and can do the exercises by themselves. The others who are weaker need Ruby to support them when they exercise.

Ruby also facilitates recreational activities for the residents. These activities help them to remain mentally fit.  They play games on iPads, participate in Music Therapy, work on puzzles, play board games like Snakes and Ladders, etc.

One challenging aspect of Ruby’s work is managing a few residents whose behaviour disrupts group sessions. As she is from the Philippines, she sometimes need the help of her colleagues to communicate in dialects to the residents.

Ruby, who has been with the Home for more than 3 years, gets job satisfaction when she sees positive outcomes from her efforts. For example, a resident in her 90s sustained a hip fracture and through her own determination and Ruby’s efforts in helping her, made a quick recovery within 2 to 3 months.

On her rest days, Ruby goes to Lucky Plaza to shop and to savour her favourite Filipino food like Adobo and Kare-kare. Her future plans include going back to her home country to resume her career as a College Lecturer or seek job opportunities in countries where she can be nearer to her family.