Forum: Support adults caring for ageing parents

At a certain age, our parents require more than financial support. They may need us to help with daily activities or simply be present because they are no longer as independent as they once were. This inevitably takes up our annual leave.

Could we consider expanding parental or eldercare leave for employees caring for ageing parents? Caring for a parent can extend over many years, and existing leave provisions may not adequately reflect this reality.

I also hope we can reconsider how eldercare subsidies are structured. Support should not stop simply because a household exceeds a particular income threshold. An elderly Singaporean does not become less in need of care because his or her child earns slightly more.

A more graduated system, taking into account age, dependency and medical needs, could provide some level of support to all elderly Singaporeans while giving greater assistance to those with greater needs.

Through my own journey with my mother and dementia, I have also come to realise that there may be a gap for those with mild or early-stage dementia.

While there are specialised programmes available, someone in the early stages of dementia may still look and function much like any other senior, remain aware of their surroundings and strongly value their independence. Yet, it may no longer be safe for them to be left alone for extended periods.

Could we explore more dementia-inclusive senior-care models, where seniors with mild dementia can participate alongside cognitively healthy seniors, with dementia-trained staff and appropriate support?

This could offer families another option between leaving a parent alone at home and placing them in specialised dementia care, particularly when hiring a domestic helper is not feasible.

Ultimately, the ask is to make eldercare sustainable for the children providing it in the long run. Supporting caregivers is about investing in the sustainability of Singapore’s ageing society.

Tan Mei Tsern