In high spirits: H’ng (right) and residents of the Penang Home for the Infirm and Aged decorating their home in Green Lane.
GEORGE TOWN: Despite rules being relaxed all around the country, old folks homes here say they will remain vigilant this festive season, only allowing private sessions for families to meet in their compounds.
Persatuan Syukur Penyayang Pulau Pinang founder Peter Tan said they have set up a tent in the home’s compound for families to meet residents.
“As much as it would be nice to let the residents celebrate Chinese New Year with their relatives or have people over, it would not be safe due to their old age and ailments.“Our residents are all single, but they have siblings and extended family members who keep in touch.
“Some have started coming to pay them a visit and they would usually call to make an appointment first.
“We will check their temperature as a safety measure before they can interact,” he said.
Tan said currently, the home has 40 residents aged between 56 and 92.
“They are all vaccinated and have received two booster doses, but we still want to be cautious.
“This is why donors are not allowed to come into the premises.
“They have respected our guidelines and have sent us festive gifts including biscuits and oranges at a designated area,” said Tan, whose home is in Ayer Itam.
Tan said they have not planned an internal celebration as the residents usually prefer to relax and enjoy eating kuih and oranges.
He also said it was advisable for donors to contact them first to prevent getting similar items.
“We do not want to be wasteful and usually inform donors what we really need when they call us,” he said.
The Penang Home for the Infirm and Aged has also adopted a similar approach.
Its assistant superintendent H’ng Kok Chang said relatives could visit, but only at designated areas.
“There is a table located in front of our office where family members can meet the residents as they are not permitted to enter the dormitory.
“We are doing this to make sure they do not come into contact with other residents. Due to their old age, residents are susceptible to illnesses.
“During the interaction, they must have their masks on at all times and observe physical distancing.”
He said there were 124 residents at the home, aged between 65 and 96, and all of them were vaccinated.
H’ng also said the residents look forward to receiving ang pow as they find it to be like a blessing for them.
“We hope for aid in the form of adult diapers in M and L sizes.
“We also need food items like white sugar, Milo, coffee powder, cooking oil and canned food such as baked beans and sardine as these will help us with our daily cooking,” he said.
Those interested to donate can call 012-494 9718 (Persatuan Syukur Penyayang Pulau Pinang)and 04-658 2457 (Penang Home for the Infirm and Aged).
