Hotel reaches out to nursing home with food

KUCHING: The Lions Nursing Home Kuching at Jalan Stutong Baru has received a donation of food items.
The initiative was carried out by Raia Hotel & Convention Centre as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme.
The nursing home, which is based on the concept of a professional care residence for the elderly who are incapacitated by non-infectious illnesses and whose families are unable to look after their needs, was founded in 1992.
Firmly believing in the Asian value of caring for extended families, the Lions built the home in hopes of providing basic nursing care, physiotherapy and rehabilitation to the debilitated elderly.
The non-profit organisation has survived for the past 27 years with the support of corporate bodies, public contributions and the commitment of Lions and Leos towards their annual food fair.
Volunteer doctors, assisted by physiotherapists, also provide medical care through consultations.
Some of the residents stay for a few months while others up to 10 years or more.
The home, managed by Lions Nursing Home Kuching chairman, Datin Ellis Suriyati Omar, and 12 Lions Clubs from Kuching, Kota Samarahan and Serian, has pledged to continue ensuing the elderly are given the best nursing care.
“For 25 years, despite all the challenges, we have managed to keep the home as hospitable as possible and will continue to serve our elderly the best we can — with support from both the public and private sectors,” Ellis said.
“The 12 Lion Clubs and I are working very hard to get the funding. We will continue to find ways to do this as we cannot rely on the fees alone.”
Ellis said the Lions Nursing Home Kuching was built and donated by the late Tan Sri Ting Pek Khiing and the three acres of land were given by one Diana Ibrahim.
“When we started, only four Lions Clubs managed the home but now, there are 12. The management of the home comes under the Lions while the daily operation is carried out by the staff, headed by a matron.”
She hopes to see the development of a bigger nursing home with better facilities in future.
“The biggest challenge of running this nursing home is we must always be vigilant and careful when handling our elderly patients.
“Most of them are immobile and some are even bedridden, so we have to be very careful when moving and shifting them from one place to another,” she said.