Giving back to the community
Meet 24-year-old Muhammad Ramlee Bin Jamal, a dedicated Care Attendant at Peacehaven Nursing Home. Raised in foster care, Ramlee’s journey reflects his resilience and unwavering commitment to caregiving for the elderly and those in need.
Growing up in foster care
Ramlee was raised in a foster family that originally comprised three neurotypical siblings: Wahedah (Wida), her elder brother, and her younger sister. The family later welcomed three foster siblings with special needs: Ramlee, his biological younger brother, and his biological younger sister. From an early age, their foster parents instilled in them the importance of respect.
Wida, now Ramlee’s caregiver, recalls, “Our parents taught us to respect everyone, especially the elderly. When we do good, others will treat us well in return.”
Ramlee put these lessons into practice, supporting his wheelchair-bound foster mother and taking care of his late foster father when he was ill. “Ramlee was very patient and helped me out at home, especially when our helper was away,” Wida adds.
These experiences nurtured Ramlee’s passion towards caring for the elderly, inspiring him to pursue a career dedicated to supporting seniors.
After earning a Skills Certificate in Hospitality Services from the Institute of Technical Education in 2022, Ramlee sought assistance from MINDS Hi-Job! – Job Placement/ Job Support Programme (JPJS). Through this programme, he was employed by Peacehaven Nursing Home, where he now works hard to enrich the lives of the residents.
Reimagining A Better,
Kinder World
Learning the ropes of elder care
When Ramlee first joined Peacehaven Nursing Home, he needed extra supervision and guidance.
Shane, the staff nurse in charge of resident living area RLA 1-3 (Sunbird) where Ramlee works, explains, “We adopted an On-the-Job Training (OJT) approach, with hands-on sessions to help Ramlee learn the necessary processes.”
They began with simple tasks, providing demonstrations and having Ramlee repeat them to ensure that he understood the tasks. Once he mastered these tasks, new responsibilities were added based on his interests, including social interactions with residents.
To cultivate a supportive work environment, Shane emphasises encouragement and camaraderie. “I make a point to provide Ramlee with positive reinforcement, and praise him when he performs well,” he says.
Today, Ramlee is well-adjusted to his role, and no longer requires additional assistance. Shane continues to engage with Ramlee daily, providing guidance and mentorship to ensure that he stays on track with his responsibilities.
A day in Ramlee’s life at Peacehaven Nursing Home
Ramlee’s primary responsibilities include monitoring residents’ temperatures, washing dishes, and cleaning wards and rooms. He also plays YouTube exercise videos in the morning, encouraging residents to stay active and bond with one another. However, Ramlee’s contributions go beyond these duties.
“I’m impressed by how Ramlee takes the initiative to chat with the residents. He also participates in group exercises and bingo games using Dexie, our robot designed to facilitate the activities,” Shane notes.
I’m impressed by how Ramlee takes the initiative to chat with the residents. He also participates in group exercises and bingo games using Dexie, our robot designed to facilitate the activities.
Ramlee has also formed a special bond with Mr. Yap, a resident who enjoys Netflix. “Ramlee treats Mr. Yap like a father figure. They often pick out movies together and discuss the plots. Ramlee even massages Mr. Yap’s shoulders,” Shane observes.
Ramlee himself is aware of how much he is appreciated. “I like the bond we have. They tell me they miss me when I’m not here.” he says.
Giving back to the community, his way
Driven by a desire to make a difference, Ramlee is committed to bringing joy to those he helps. His efforts have not gone unnoticed; his passion to help and care for others has earned him widespread admiration and respect.
“Ramlee is a friendly and kind-hearted young man. Though he was initially shy, he gradually opened up and built meaningful connections as he became more familiar with the residents and staff,” Shane shares.
Reflecting on his past, Mr. Quek said, “After losing my ability to walk and experiencing numerous setbacks, I felt hopeless and isolated. Ramlee and the other staff were instrumental in helping me cope with my health and accept my condition.”
Wida is proud of Ramlee’s journey. “It’s been an incredible 24 years. The progress Ramlee has made since day one fills me with pride. I hope he continues to serve people, and provide care to those in need,” she expresses.
Ramlee’s story is published as part of the MINDS ‘My Way’ campaign, a campaign to raise awareness and celebrate the unique abilities of persons with intellectual disability. Through real stories of resilience, we aim to create a more inclusive society where everyone is valued.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our supporting partners for their invaluable contributions: The Salvation Army Peacehaven, CapitaLand, National Library Board, SMRT Buses.
