Connecting Through Sounds

Despite a life of hardships, Mdm Lim Siow Eng's caring and thoughtful nature shines through.

As a young lady, Mdm Lim had lived through a tumultuous and challenging life, but she never succumbed to her circumstances. When faced with problems, she remained strong, preferring to focus on what she could do to make the best of her situation. Despite her hardy nature, Mdm Lim is one of the most gentle and jovial residents in the Lodge’s Periwinkle Home.

Many may be fooled by Mdm Lim’s bright smile, assuming she is an exuberant extrovert, but she possesses an introverted personality. While she does not usually initiate conversations, Mdm Lim never fails to greet and respond to care staff with her winning smile. She is a quiet observer, preferring to watch others participate in the in-home engagements, before accepting invitations from staff to participate later on.

To continue encouraging Mdm Lim to maintain her communication abilities and to stimulate her both cognitively and sensorially, staff had to plan meaningful engagements suited for Mdm Lim. One such engagement is the CRDL instrument, a device specially designed to stimulate interactions and communication through sound and touch. When Mdm Lim was first introduced to the CRDL, she was amused by its appearance, commenting that with its heavy weight and smooth finish, the instrument must be an expensive antique item! With constant assurance and encouragement, Mdm Lim and staff explored the soundscapes in the CRDL together.

When the participants are all connected through touch to the CRDL, sounds are produced. When care staff engage Mdm Lim with the instrument, sounds that are familiar to her like trains whistling and everyday coffee shop soundscapes are played. Through verbal prompts, staff and Mdm Lim reminisce about her rich past life experiences. Staff are always pleasantly surprised by how much detail Mdm Lim recalls, such as scenes at the now-defunct Tanjong Pagar Railway Station and at various MRT stations in Singapore. According to assessment data, Mdm Lim is notably engaged with the CRDL, scoring 3 out of 3 in positive engagement and 1.8 out of 2 for positive mood.

With loving care from the staff and meaningful engagement to stimulate Mdm Lim, she is assured that her days are filled meaningfully and with purpose. Even as her dementia progresses, she is content that she continues to live each day with dignity.