Joseph Chua
Senior Occupational Therapist
"Success is not final, failure is not fatal. It's the courage to carry on that counts."
I’m Joseph, an Occupational Therapist specialising in dementia care at St Luke’s Hospital. My journey into healthcare began during my military service, driven by a genuine desire to make a difference in people’s lives.
What truly inspired my path was witnessing my grand-aunt’s struggle with dementia. Watching her transition from an independent woman to someone facing daily challenges made me ask: How can we do better? How can we ensure that individuals living with dementia maintain their dignity and quality of life?
Working with persons living with dementia has taught me that care is fundamentally about relationships. It’s about understanding unspoken needs, patience, and seeing the person beyond their condition. Sometimes, this means trying seventeen different approaches to comfort a patient or reuniting an elderly gentleman with his cherished ‘Newspaper Club’ friends.
One particularly poignant memory is of an uncle who loved durian and Hokkien mee. Despite having no family, we managed to reconnect him with his friends, creating a moment of pure joy – a quiet smile that spoke volumes. His story reminded me that we never truly know how much time we have, making every moment of connection precious.
My care philosophy is simple: approach each interaction with courage, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to humanity. In dementia care, success isn’t about perfection, but about continuously trying, learning, and building trust.
What keeps me going? My passion is sustained by an unending quest for knowledge. In dementia care, each day brings new challenges that remind me there’s always more to learn. The more I understand, the more I realise how complex and nuanced care can be – and that’s what continues to drive my professional growth and commitment.
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