Singapore Nursing English Elderly Care

Nursing in Singapore is a challenging but fulfilling career. With an ageing population, you will frequently care for elderly patients ("Ah Gong" and "Ah Ma") in hospitals, nursing homes, or community care settings. While medical knowledge is universal, communication is cultural. This guide helps foreign nurses (from Philippines, Myanmar, India, China, etc.) bridge the gap with local patients using clear English and common local terms.

Heart Work: The Ministry of Health (MOH) emphasizes "Patient-Centric Care." This means listening, explaining, and reassuring. Sometimes, a gentle tone matters more than perfect grammar.

1. Greetings & Bedside Manners

Building rapport starts with a polite and respectful greeting. In Asian culture, respect for elders is paramount.

Addressing Patients

• Formal: "Mr. Tan," "Madam Lee," "Uncle," "Auntie." (Using "Uncle/Auntie" is very common and accepted in Singapore for elderly patients to show warmth).
• Checking ID: "Good morning, Uncle. Can you tell me your full name and IC number please?"
• Introducing Yourself: "Hello Auntie, I am Nurse Sarah. I will be taking care of you today."

Assessing Comfort

• "Are you comfortable in this position?"
• "Is the air-con too cold for you? Do you need an extra blanket?"
• "Do you need to use the toilet before we start?"

2. Pain Management & Symptoms

Pain is subjective. Use simple scales and clear questions.

Pain Assessment (PQRST)

Provokes: "What makes the pain worse? Moving? Coughing?" Quality: "Is it a sharp pain, dull ache, or burning sensation?" Radiates: "Does the pain move anywhere else? To your back?" Severity: "On a scale of 0 to 10, how painful is it? 0 is no pain, 10 is the worst pain." Time: "When did the pain start?"

Describing Other Symptoms

• Shortness of Breath: "Are you feeling breathless? Panting?"
• Nausea: "Do you feel like vomiting?"
• Dizziness: "Is the room spinning? Or do you feel lightheaded?"
• Numbness: "Can you feel my touch? Or is it numb/tingling?"

3. Medication Administration

Ensuring the "5 Rights" of medication safety requires patient cooperation.

Nurse: "Uncle Tan, time for your medicine. This is for your high blood pressure and this one is for your heart."

Patient: "So many pills... I don't want to take."

Nurse: "I understand, Uncle. But the doctor says it's important to control your BP so you don't get giddy. Can you swallow them with water?"

Patient: "Okay, okay."

Nurse: "Open your mouth, please. Lift your tongue. Very good. Here is some water."

Common Local Terms for Medicine

• "Panadol": Used generically for painkillers/paracetamol.
• "Rubbing Oil" / "Minyak": Medicated oil (e.g., Axe Brand) is very popular with elderly for headaches/stomach aches.
• "Lozenges": For sore throat.

4. Daily Activities (ADLs) & Hygiene

Assisting with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) requires dignity and patience.

Toileting

• "Do you need to pass motion (poo) or pass urine (pee)?"
• "I will help you to the commode."
• "Press the call bell if you need help. Don't walk alone, it's slippery."
• "Let me clean you up. I will use warm water."

Showering / Sponging

• "We are going to do a sponge bath today since you cannot walk to the shower."
• "Is the water temperature okay? Not too hot?"
• "I will wash your back now. Can you lean forward?"

Feeding / Meals

• "Today's lunch is porridge with fish. Soft diet."
• "Are you hungry? Do you have appetite?"
• "Please chew slowly. Don't rush."
• "Swallow first before talking." (Aspiration precaution).

5. Fall Prevention

Falls are a major KPI in Singapore hospitals. Prevention is key.

Warning: "Uncle, please do not climb out of bed. The bed rails are up for your safety. If you need anything, press this red button."

• "Wear your non-slip slippers when walking."
• "Hold the grab bar in the toilet."
• "Wait for me! Don't get up alone."

6. Explaining Procedures

Before doing anything (blood taking, changing dressing), explain it simply.

Venipuncture (Blood Taking)

• "I need to take some blood for testing. Just a small ant bite." (Common phrase: "Ant bite" = small pain).
• "Relax your hand. Make a fist."
• "Okay, done. Press on this cotton wool for 5 minutes. Don't rub."

Wound Dressing

• "I am going to change your dressing now. It might sting a little."
• "The wound looks clean. It is healing well."
• "Let me clean it with saline."

7. Discharge Planning & Family Education

You often teach the family or maid how to care for the patient at home.

• "Make sure he takes this medicine after food, 3 times a day."
• "If he has a fever above 38 degrees, bring him to the A&E (Accident & Emergency)."
• "Keep the wound dry. Cover it when showering."
• "Next follow-up appointment is on 15th March at Polyclinic."

8. Cultural Sensitivity (The "Pantang")

Taboos: Some elderly Chinese are superstitious ("Pantang").

• Avoid mentioning death (si) directly if possible, use "passed away."
• Some may refuse cold water, preferring warm water for health (TCM belief).
• Some may want to wear lucky charms/red strings. Ask before removing them for procedures.

9. Conclusion

Your role as a nurse is vital. By mastering these phrases, you not only perform your duties safely but also provide comfort to those who are vulnerable. A kind word in a language they understand can be the best medicine. Thank you for your service!