A caregiver's dedication and unwavering devotion

Caregiving is physically and emotionally demanding, and for Tan Geok Lan, 72, it has been a journey marked by immense challenges and unwavering commitment. As a sole provider for her family, she navigates each day tenderly attending to her husband, Chng Kiang Cheow, through his tumultuous health battles, pushing her to the limits of physical and emotional endurance. Despite facing these hardships, she approaches her responsibilities with grace and compassion, standing by her husband’s side through thick and thin, ensuring his well-being with steadfast devotion.

Overwhelmed by family health challenges

Geok Lan has witnessed her husband’s health setbacks – from a stroke to dementia to kidney failure – with deep sorrow, yet she has weathered these storms with remarkable patience and resilience. Recalling the difficult moments when Kiang Cheow resisted vital medical procedures, she became a paragon of patience and persuasion, her voice a gentle guide, coaxing him through his darkest fears. Despite the additional challenges posed by her daughter’s medical condition, Geok Lan remains resolute in her caregiving, her heart anchored to her loved ones.

Personal sacrifices

The burden of caregiving has taken its toll, manifesting in sleepless nights and emotional breakdowns. A burst blood vessel in her eye speaks volumes about the strain she bears. Yet, her resolve remains unyielding. Work becomes a refuge, exhaustion a balm for restless nights. Listening to music at night offers solace amid emotional turbulence. Despite the exhaustion, she remains positive, coordinating care arrangements for her husband while juggling household duties.

Holding out hope

Geok Lan’s touch is gentle yet firm, a delicate balance of compassion and resolve as she guides her husband through the fog of dementia. He has been residing in a nursing home since last year due to leg issues that have affected his mobility. Despite this, hope flickers within her, a steady flame of optimism that refuses to be extinguished. She harbours a belief that he will improve and return home, a testament to her enduring faith.

Words of wisdom for fellow caregivers

To fellow caregivers walking similar paths, Geok Lan extends a gentle hand of advice – patience as a guiding light, silent perseverance as a cloak of fortitude. She urges others to embrace support networks and seek counsel, offering pearls of wisdom gleaned from her own arduous journey. In Geok Lan’s unwavering devotion to caring for her husband, we witness the embodiment of enduring love – a tapestry woven with sacrifice, resilience, and unspoken grace.

“The mental and physical burden placed on me is heavy, but I choose to stand by my husband and care for him wholeheartedly, without any regrets.”

Tan Geok Lan, on being committed to caring for her husband