MOH to continue enhancing respite care options for caregivers

20 May 2013, Straits Times

Offer more respite options for caregivers

IT IS encouraging that the Health Ministry's Agency for Integrated Care has recognised the need for caregivers to get some respite ("New scheme offers relief for caregivers"; last Thursday).

Caregiving is often a 24-hour job. A large proportion of caregivers give a lot of themselves because they view caring for their loved ones as their exclusive responsibility.

Many also lose key social support when they give up their jobs to care for their loved ones, and the price they pay is often very high - financially, emotionally and physically.

Although allowing patients to take short stays in nursing homes will give some relief to caregivers, there will be some who will feel uncomfortable with this arrangement, as they might be worried that their loved ones will feel abandoned.

This is especially so in the case of patients grappling with psychological issues, where emotional support from dedicated family caregivers plays a big part in maintaining their stability.

We need to offer more options to caregivers who are on a long and arduous journey.

The Government could build some respite centres in a few districts, where both patients and caregivers can relax in a conducive environment.

For instance, the Church of St Ignatius in King's Road has a beautiful garden where retreats are held for parishioners. It is a perfect sanctuary for anyone who needs peace of mind.

The Government could study this church to see how similar sanctuaries could be built for caregivers who need a home away from home.

In America, the non-profit organisation Family Caregiver Alliance offers a patient support programme - called Camp for Caring - that brings together patients suffering from conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, stroke and other chronic conditions, for a weekend in the countryside. Being close to nature is very therapeutic. Each patient is assigned a volunteer who acts as a camp buddy.

Perhaps the Government could tie up with nearby countries to offer a similar programme for patients and their caregivers on an annual or biannual basis.

Raymond Anthony Fernando

---------------------------------

Reply from MOH

27 May 2013, Straits Times

MOH to continue enhancing respite care options for caregivers

WE THANK Mr Raymond Anthony Fernando for his suggestions ("Offer more respite options for caregivers"; last Monday).

We agree with Mr Fernando that expanding respite care options for caregivers is important, particularly as we build up our home and community care services to support our seniors to age comfortably in familiar surroundings.

Besides having residential respite care options, the Government has also promoted the development of other non-residential care options that can support seniors and their caregivers.

Specifically, seniors may be referred to centre-based facilities for day care, providing both working or full-time caregivers with peace of mind and rest.

At these centres, seniors participate in social and recreational activities and conveniently receive the rehabilitation therapy they need.

In addition, the Health Ministry and the Agency for Integrated Care work with various voluntary welfare organisations in providing respite care services to support caregivers, such as elder-sitting services for dementia patients in their homes.

Home-based care services currently available also lighten the load for families caring for seniors. Such services include meal delivery, laundry, housekeeping and personal hygiene services, while home-based medical and nursing care services enable seniors to receive medical care in their home.

As we develop our aged care capacity, we welcome suggestions on enhancing caregiver support services and will continue to explore ways to do so, to support our seniors and caregivers more comprehensively.

Karen Au Yong (Ms)

Deputy Director, Corporate Communications

Ministry of Health