Uncle Rob was shaving his face when I walked into his dormitory.  I noticed a tinge of charm in this 75-year-old as he skilfully grooms it.  He was wearing an old wornout blue shirt even though there were nicely ironed shirts hung above his headrest.  He sometimes lends these to his dorm mates for formal outings.  Such generous gestures had not always come easily for Uncle Rob, a resident since 2009.

As a child, Uncle Rob studied at St Gabriel’s School and Holy Innocents School and grew up in the Yio Chu Kang area.  As a young man in his early twenties, he already had a small painting business.  At its peak, he had 6 to 7 workers and had jobs with schools, HDB flats and shop houses.

Uncle Rob loved to hang out with his co-workers and friends in coffeeshops, particularly in the Toa Payoh area.  At that time, besides drinking and chatting with his buddies about anything under the sun, he added with a bashful chuckle that he also kept numerous female companions by his side.  Running his business in the day, he kept late nights with these gatherings.  As a hot-tempered young man, Uncle Rob sometimes got involved in quarrels and unruly behaviours at these drinking sessions.  These late night activities did not bode well with his then wife, and they divorced after more than 10 years of marriage.  Uncle Rob then moved in with his sister, for which he slowly discovered the one-room flat was too crowded for him and his sister’s family.

Since joining the Home, Uncle Rob has made remarkable adjustments towards communal living.  He is aware that his quick temper would get him on the wrong side of “Communal Living Rules”.  He conceded that avoiding crowds will prevent conflict between himself and other residents which also means less trouble for himself.  This is why Uncle Rob does not have his meals in the Dining Hall.  “I don’t like to chit-chat chit-chat with people.” he said, a contrast to when he was young and a party animal.

Uncle Rob helped out in painting works around our Home when he first admitted.  With raised eyebrows, he enthusiastically pointed out to me the walls and the metal sun shades he painted.  He said this is what he likes about St John’s Home for Elderly Persons; that he is allowed and encouraged to be active and help around the Home.  Uncle Rob has also made a few good friends here.  His best friends are Uncle Lim and Uncle Vic who share the same dormitory as him.  They chat and help him, like bringing him food from the dining hall.  “They are the best!” showing a thumbs up.  A wild soul has come home to roost!