Two new facilities open at Elderly Nursing Home in Ajman

Ajman: Two new facilities were launched yesterday at the Elderly Nursing Home in Ajman providing additional activities to help boost the mental and physical health of the emirate’s senior citizens.

The facilities which were donated by Majid Al Futtaim Ventures, include a ‘Brain Exercise Room’ and another shaded outdoor seating area known as the ‘Jalsa’ where residents and guests can socialise and enjoy the fresh air.

Dr Mariam Al Beloushi, a general practitioner at the centre, said the exercise room includes activities such as puzzles, board games, card games, group discussions and music sessions which focus on brain stimulation.

“The idea came from finding ways to slow down the process of dementia through different memory games,” said Dr Mariam.

Working with four patients at the brain exercise room for the past two weeks, Dr Mariam said while it is still too early to identify a solid pattern of change, she has seen a positive difference in her patients’ mood and psychological state.

“We have two sessions a week and it makes them very happy — they each have a favourite game,” she added.

While many patients who visit the centre suffer from age-related memory loss and Alzheimer’s, they are made to undergo a specific questionnaire to determine their level before they are taken to the exercise room to engage in brain stimulating activities.

Laila Ameen Al Zarouni, Manager of the Elderly Nursing Home, Ajman said that the new facilities will be of great benefit to both live-in residents and out-patients at the home.

“We have 170 house patients who get daily visits by our doctors to address any health related, mental, social, and psychological problems,” said Laila. A mobile unit system which was set up in 2008, also provides home visits by a team of specialists which includes a social worker, a doctor, a nurse and a physiotherapist.

The centre also hosts four patients who do not have families — one female and four males.

Along with providing health care, the centre also ensures that the elderly are in touch with the community. “We have weekly trips for the elderly to different places including parks, museums and events,” added Laila.

Established in 1982, the centre was founded in association with the UAE Ministry of Social Affairs.