Forum: Caregivers for seniors need systemic support similar to that for childcare

I commend the Government’s recent, progressive expansion of childcare leave policies, which will provide vital support to working parents.

While these initiatives are excellent steps towards building a family-friendly society, I’m urging an extension of this systemic support to a growing number of working caregivers who look after elderly family members.

With a rapidly ageing population, a significant portion of the workforce now faces the dual responsibility of maintaining full-time employment while managing the complex needs of ageing parents or relatives.

The demands of senior care – ranging from handling medical appointments and sudden health crises to managing cognitive decline – require dedicated time away from work. Many employees are forced to use their annual leave, take unpaid leave, or exit the workforce entirely to fulfil their caregiving duties.

This not only impacts the financial security of individuals but also reduces workforce retention and productivity on a national scale. I have three suggestions to address these concerns.

Introduce a dedicated, paid eldercare leave framework similar to existing childcare leave structures.

Strengthen guidelines that protect employees who need to adjust their hours to accommodate medical chaperoning for seniors.

Transition the national conversation from “childcare support” to comprehensive “family care support”, recognising that caregiving spans the entire lifecycle.

Supporting our seniors means supporting the workers who care for them.

Kwan Hon May