REACH 553 - What are your views on the expanded Women’s Integration Network (WIN) Caregivers Network? How else can we better support our caregivers?
(SK)
19 Mar 2024 (10am - 7pm)
REACH
19/3/24, 10:05 am - +REACH: *Dear Contributors,*
Welcome back! π
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Thank you
Megan π
19/3/24, 10:07 am - +REACH: *π’ Topic π’*
On 16 March, Senior Minister of State for National Development Sim Ann announced the expansion of the Women’s Integration Network (WIN) Caregivers Network, which was set up by the People’s Association WIN Council and piloted from April 2022 to July 2023 with about 300 caregivers.
The support network gives caregivers an eight-week course on identifying and understanding dementia and various mental health conditions, and will allow caregivers to go for health screening and talks under new tie-ups between the council and healthcare providers.
*π¬ What are your views on the expanded Women’s Integration Network (WIN) Caregivers Network? How else can we better support our caregivers?*
_*π About the Better Me Better Us (BMBU) Plus care package*_
BMBU Plus is an enhancement of the original BMBU programme that equips women on how to care for themselves and their families. Focusing on health, it includes screenings for breast and cervical cancer, workshops on nutrition and weight management, as well as talks on bone health and mental wellness.
Announcing the care package, SMS Sim Ann said: “Caregivers often allow themselves to be so consumed by caregiving duties that they neglect their own health.” She added that the pilot of the BMBU programme found that caregivers are often reluctant to ask for help because they are too overwhelmed or uncomfortable to share about their family situation, and tend to be slow to trust and open themselves up to others.
_*πOn making support accessible for caregivers*_
In a survey of 300 caregivers who attended non-profit organisation Caregivers Alliance’s Caregiver-to-Caregiver (C2C) programmes during the pilot, all of them said the programmes helped them understand and manage their loved ones, SMS Sim Ann said, adding that the caregivers made new friends and found comfort in one another by joining the support group.
She also said: “I think caregivers play a very important but underrated role in our society... But they cannot remain underrated because we are an ageing society.
She also stated the importance of engaging caregivers with empathy and sincerity, and asked those who want to help to remain accessible to them so that they can reach out to them when they need to.
Caregivers interested to join the network can look out for registration on www.facebook.com/PAWIN.sg
π https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/caregiver-support-network-expands-to-5-areas-including-eunos-and-chong-pang
19/3/24, 10:08 am - ~ REACH Singapore changed this group's settings to allow all members to send messages to this group
19/3/24, 10:13 am - ~ REACH Singapore changed the group description
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19/3/24, 10:13 am - +Rama: Hope this will lessen the burden of care givers stress and burn out.
19/3/24, 10:24 am - +Sunny: While this is a nice initiative, a bigger concern should be looking at how we mobilise the male population to also contribute to caregiving. Traditional gender roles assigning breadwinning to men and caregiving to women are completely useless in a context where both parents / couple have to work to earn enough money. Women tended to take on more unpaid labour of carrgiving after coming back from work. Everyone needs to be on-board for caregiving, especially in an ageing population.
Some people have suggested expanding the role of NS to include caregiving/other national necessities (which would also require including women in NS to deal with the bigger labour power needed). I think this is a good idea but would drastically shift the economic planning of the country. So probably it should be a last step if after exploring other options.
Fundamentally, men need to also take up more caregiving responsibilities to balance out the burden that women taken on. There are some men who do this, but the situation require more men to really solve the overall burden-sharing issue.
19/3/24, 10:26 am - +Sunny: I really couldn't help but notice that it was only 50 men in a pilot study of 300 people. Naturally, there were more women given the gender divide in caregiving (or, equally possible, it was easier to find women who would reach out because there is a stigma associated with male caregiving). Either way, it is highly indicative of the impact of our cultural attitudes
19/3/24, 10:28 am - +Sunny: Another thing is that flexible work options might better reduce the burden for caregiving, in addition to the programme. Allowing for different or fluctuating work hours, WFH days and other policies help caregivers reduce some of their burdens. Again, this is specifically for caregivers who have to also work and look after their loved ones.
19/3/24, 10:29 am - +Sunny: Cheers to all the caregivers. They deserve the world.
19/3/24, 10:39 am - +Rama: Agree
19/3/24, 10:40 am - +Rama: Local employers must walk the talk being proposed!
19/3/24, 11:37 am - ~ REACH Singapore added +~X-tra
19/3/24, 12:11 pm - +~X-tra: Don’t mean to digress but wah…whats going on here πΆ
WP chief Pritam Singh charged with lying to Parliament over ex-MP Raeesah Khan’s case, pleads not guilty
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/wp-chief-pritam-singh-under-police-probe-over-ex-mp-raeesah-khan-s-lying-case-arrives-at-court
19/3/24, 12:11 pm - ☸️ Danny εΏ:
1. This network setup by PA for women means that an organised program is being developed ground up to support women who are doing caregiving.
2. Conversely, organised program is not setup for men who are doing caregiving.
3. Men are performing multiple roles in their lifetimes - as breadwinner, national servicemen, housekeepers (helping wives to clean the house, take care of children) as well as caregivers to elderly parents or others who need caregiving.
4. Except men don't have an organised program to support them.
19/3/24, 12:23 pm - ☸️ Danny εΏ:
5. As far as I know, men nowadays sharing the work at home and doing caregiving - is no lesser than women if not more.
19/3/24, 12:46 pm - +Landon: Are you saying a child with special needs does not have any future in their adult phase?
19/3/24, 12:47 pm - +Landon: Send who?
19/3/24, 12:48 pm - +Rama: It's currently not clear.
19/3/24, 1:09 pm - +Sunny: https://mothership.sg/2024/03/57-of-sporean-men-think-womens-equality-has-gone-too-far-discriminates-against-men-ipsos-survey/
I definitely agree that there are some men, more than before, who have started taking on equal responsibilities. But this is far from the norm. Those few men definitely do not represent the entire population, and we should not be complacent in accepting the status quo
19/3/24, 1:11 pm - +Sunny: But I think a more important point is the network for male caregivers. It is an excellant idea that would better encourage men to take on caregiving and support those who already have such responsibilities.
19/3/24, 1:11 pm - ☸️ Danny εΏ:
1. I must say I may not know much about autism - a child with special needs - as I only know of one as point of reference.
2. But based on my observation and my interaction with him, I feel that he can outlive his conditions.
3. When I talk to him, he is very clear, concise and display high intelligent.
4. He is also filial to his parents and grandparents and respectful to his uncles and aunties.
5. In addition, he do well in all his studies as well as in University.
6. He also do well in his internships with big organisations such as GLC and MNC.
7. And surprisingly, he don't look awkward in social settings with many people or in weddings with many strangers.
8. Except that he look quiet and won't initiate a conversation.
9. But when people talk to him, he is able to carry out a good conversation.
10. I am not sure whether he will be able to start a courtship - as he may not initiate a conversation with a girl he likes.
11. But I think he will be a caring husband - as he help his parents in housework.
12. And also he successfully completed his national service.
So I think as austitic, he should not have any problem living his adult life even up to old age.
19/3/24, 1:14 pm - +Rama: I hope for the best
19/3/24, 1:15 pm - +Sunny: it depends on the spectrum. Some would need assistance for life because they are unable to look after themselves completely (although this is usually on the severe side). Some unfortunately cannot outlive their condition because their physical disabilities are too severe for the body to sustain for an ordinary human lifespan. Some can learn to become independent and function well in society. Some still need a little support here and there. It all depends on how much we as a society are able to accommodate for them and also how severe their condition is.
If a person with autism needs a silent room, then noise cancelling headphones and a quieter tone of voice would be quite helpful to accommodate the person in an office space. Same with a wheelchair user who needs specific mobility placements to move around an office, etc. How we can add to our environment can drastically change the way people can communicate with us
Neurodiverse people definitely have a future. <This message was edited>
19/3/24, 1:17 pm - ☸️ Danny εΏ:
Well as far as I know, my extended families, men carry out an outsize role in caregiving.
It is a norm for us to help the ladies and share equal responsibilities at home.
I cook, mop the floors, go buy groceries, so is my son.
The same for my younger brother - who despite doing all these also take care of my parents and his In-laws.
It doesn't occurs to us this is only the women roles.
It just come naturally to the men.
19/3/24, 1:17 pm - +Rama: Case studies needs to be made public for better understanding
19/3/24, 1:20 pm - +Terrie Wong: Autism covers many levels: from low-functioning to savant so it's impossible to generalize though it's safe to say most would need care & supervision for most of their lives.
19/3/24, 1:34 pm - +JC: Elections is coming! π
19/3/24, 1:38 pm - +Rama: Bookies will be taking odds once hand over is confirmed
19/3/24, 1:40 pm - +JC: Very good - balanced response and provide practical help (rather than just political posturing).
19/3/24, 1:55 pm - +Bhavani: This message was deleted
19/3/24, 1:57 pm - +Bhavani: We need a women's caregiver network for minorities as well
19/3/24, 1:58 pm - +Bhavani: so that minority needs are better addressed
19/3/24, 1:59 pm - +Bhavani: Minority issues also need cultural understanding
19/3/24, 2:01 pm - +Rama: My late father in Law was given home care by a Muslim lady from a Buddhist (mental home) so sensitive issues covered.
19/3/24, 2:01 pm - +Bhavani: also their grievances need to be addressed <This message was edited>
19/3/24, 2:06 pm - +REACH: *π’ Topic π’*
19/3/24, 2:15 pm - +Rama: Is it not being looked into currently?
19/3/24, 2:17 pm - +Bhavani: No
19/3/24, 2:17 pm - +Rama: As long as someone raises the issues, it will.
19/3/24, 2:18 pm - +Bhavani: π
19/3/24, 2:27 pm - +Smiley face: 19 March, 2024
"Caregivers Dilemma"
"There is no doubt that the social program to make caregiving a norm and recognition in the coming ageing society. It's a positive step forward in reaching out to the Community and people facing the challenge of taking care of their loved ones. It will be a spectrum of new experiences as we age and the differences in caring and providing the daily basic needs of the less abled seniors or even disabled mid-age adults; all of these home bound carings will no doubt be a burden not only to the caregivers but also their families too. It takes lots of patience, big heartedness, and selflessness to weather through the days and years till an individual passed on or the caregiver suffered the same fate of ageing diseases or illnesses and is no longer able to provide care to the other person. We are at the beginning of the crossroad of understanding and accepting the future duties and responsibilities as human to help our fellow humans. It starts from the will to help and the larger perspective of many moments of goodness one brings to others and importantly, it's a new learning experience which will be valuable and a role model to your children and close relatives that love and care doesn't stop at door steps or phone calls; the top of all of it is to truly care and really love your closed one everyday and treasures every moment till the last day. That's the hero in you!
-- anonymity
19/3/24, 2:33 pm - +Smiley face: Male Caregiver? Female Caregiver? Match or Mismatch? Mission Statement?
Male caregivers match Female patients? Is it Mismatched ?
Female caregivers match Male or Female patients? Perhaps Matchable?
Will there be moments of embarrasement and dignity when performing change of clothes or change of diaper or toilet chores?
19/3/24, 2:35 pm - +Rama: Sensitive issues for even male to male and female to female not leaving out religion, relationship, relatives.
19/3/24, 2:36 pm - +Smiley face: Family Caregivers
Domestic helps Caregivers
Volunteer/Charity Caregivers
Professional Caregivers
19/3/24, 2:36 pm - +Smiley face: Let's begin with WILLINGNESS!
19/3/24, 2:36 pm - +Rama: Yes
19/3/24, 2:36 pm - +Rama: Yes
19/3/24, 2:36 pm - +Smiley face: The FIRST 2 being affordable
19/3/24, 2:38 pm - +Smiley face: This message was deleted
19/3/24, 2:38 pm - +Smiley face: The third case is one SAD case !
The fourth is one happiness for the Family who can afford Nursing homes at the FULL price range from $5k to $12k per month (excluding medication and diapers)
19/3/24, 2:39 pm - +Rama: So, are we all human after all or just lip service and otherwise to suit the individual!?
19/3/24, 2:40 pm - +m6dm6n: madmn!430
19/3/24, 2:41 pm - +Smiley face: Our present generation of seniors are conservative and have many sensitive areas of privacy. This conservative mindset may prohibit many seniors from coming forward and seeking help when they are facing the impossible tasks to handle and to take care of their spouses!
19/3/24, 2:41 pm - +Rama: Meaning?
19/3/24, 2:42 pm - +Rama: Agree. Barrier need to be broken
19/3/24, 2:45 pm - +Smiley face: So how can we encourage a change of mindset and open up to seek assistance from others? Will the simple idea of seeing others getting help and yourself will begin to accept such helping hands to come into your home? Will social media play an important role in shaping the old mindset of our seniors and how to begin the mission statement of care and help?
19/3/24, 2:46 pm - +Smiley face: Dilemma and Hopes?...
19/3/24, 3:00 pm - +Loong Hin: Caregivers definitely need more support. There are several caregivers needs beside mental healths conditions. Some other caregiving needs like chronic illness such as diabetic, cancer, stroke need to be addressed too.
19/3/24, 3:02 pm - +Rama: Emeritus GCT mentioned this during his tenure as PM
19/3/24, 3:04 pm - +Rama: Start with those who are at least 21 years of age with support from seniors mentors to gain exposure.
19/3/24, 3:05 pm - +Terrie Wong: So sad to see a frail elderly with hair completely white leading another younger & bigger but elderly autistic daughter into hospital lift.
19/3/24, 3:06 pm - +Smiley face: A good prescription for caregiving! Thanks!
19/3/24, 3:11 pm - +Smiley face: It's a must for our younger generations to see the reality of ageing which in turns, they will be next too!
A critical strategy especially for our younger audience and those at large to START SAVING and spend your money wisely, right size your home, right size you car and EXTRA sized for your savings account!
Don't wait for others to come or the attitude of "it wouldn't happen to me!"
Life is a long journey especially for the younger folks!
You see and You better Learned!
19/3/24, 3:21 pm - +Rama: Definitely. Possibly Start with college final year students, Polytechnic final year students and university final year students as a ECA project.
19/3/24, 3:21 pm - +Smiley face: There are techniques in lifting elderly from a chair or wheel chair to the bed or toilet.
One domestic help may not be sufficient especially with totally disabled or dementia seniors!
The levy for one help is $60/mth and the second help totaled is $390/mth.
Salary of helps range from $600 onwards and it's really difficult to find Domestic Helps who are experienced in taking care of elderly whether they are immobile, dementia or end stage Cancer! Only a pool of domestic help is willing and comfortable to do the care job, well and sincerely!
19/3/24, 3:21 pm - +Rama: π’π
19/3/24, 4:00 pm - +REACH: *π’ Topic π’*
19/3/24, 4:22 pm - ☸️ Danny εΏ:
For example my son cook all these.
He is a better cook than my wife and me.
19/3/24, 4:23 pm - +Rama: Wonderful
19/3/24, 4:23 pm - ☸️ Danny εΏ: <Media omitted>
19/3/24, 4:24 pm - +Rama: Can make reservation?
19/3/24, 4:24 pm - ☸️ Danny εΏ:
Hahaha....
But he spend 4 hours doing it.
19/3/24, 4:25 pm - +Rama: Open to private dining?
19/3/24, 4:25 pm - ☸️ Danny εΏ:
Hahaha ..
Not qualify yet to do private dining....
Hahaha...
19/3/24, 4:25 pm - +Rama: π½️π₯’π·πΈπ§
19/3/24, 4:26 pm - +Frankie Wee: So romantic diner
19/3/24, 4:27 pm - ☸️ Danny εΏ:
Oh he cooks for his housemates as well when he is overseas.
So housekeepers roles - men also do.
19/3/24, 4:28 pm - +Rama: Love to be his house mates
19/3/24, 4:28 pm - +Frankie Wee: “dementia” can forgetful and remember those who are family.
How did end like that? She has narrow minded and everyday at home without outing?
19/3/24, 4:28 pm - ☸️ Danny εΏ:
Hahaha...
19/3/24, 4:29 pm - +Frankie Wee: <Media omitted>
19/3/24, 4:31 pm - +Sunny: that's not how dementia works....
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dementia/symptoms-causes/syc-20352013
19/3/24, 4:34 pm - +Frankie Wee: Who look after their CPF C2C when single person become dementia’s disease?
Hopeful there is lasting power attorney.
19/3/24, 5:25 pm - +REACH: *Dear Contributors*
We want to *HEAR MORE* from you!
π¬ *What are your views on the expanded Women’s Integration Network (WIN) Caregivers Network? How else can we better support our caregivers?*
We have had good feedback from this group, and we hope that we can keep the discussion robust and active!
Megan π
19/3/24, 6:00 pm - +REACH: *π’ Topic π’*
19/3/24, 6:45 pm - +REACH: *Dear Contributors,*
⏰ We will be closing the chat in *15 minutes* ⏰
Thank you very much for being part of our WhatsApp chat and participating actively.
Goodnight!
Megan π
19/3/24, 6:50 pm - +Thank You Woman: Create awareness through Estate notice board, letterbox on TV.
19/3/24, 6:51 pm - +Rama: Have grassroots level interactions with various residents committee outreach.
19/3/24, 6:52 pm - +Thank You Woman: Brushing through how I had struggled 12yrs ago…….i used to tears every now and then till lately last year….its indescribable
19/3/24, 6:53 pm - +Rama: You are a survivor
19/3/24, 6:58 pm - ☸️ Danny εΏ:
Bank of Japan scraps radical policy, makes first rate hike in 17 years.
Japan negative interest rate policy - is an unorthodox policy - not prescribe as a financial measure in Economics. It harm Japan financial system and economy - more than it helps.
https://www.straitstimes.com/business/economy/japan-poised-to-end-negative-rates-closing-era-of-radical-policy <This message was edited>
19/3/24, 6:59 pm - ☸️ Danny εΏ:
Take 17 years to remedy.
19/3/24, 6:59 pm - +Thank You Woman: No time to eat and sleep whenever I had step back I’ll email the related minister and so long as it’s reasonable they listen.
My boy was only 15months and to place him in a childcare cost $1,600, my whole family income only $2K+ and did not pass the PCI per capital income according to ECDA Early Childhood Developement Agency.
Hence I wrote to Mr Lee HL, to ask if we dun have to feed my parents, mother totally dependent staying with my sister only earns $1,3K/mth and was a cancer patient. I do not have to feed my father Inlaw a dialysis patient and also mother Inlaw a breast cancer relapse. My husband is the only son and the other daughter was married and working part time. Then the ECDA subsidy income level increased π also seek FSC family service are help
19/3/24, 7:00 pm - +Smiley face: This message was deleted
19/3/24, 7:00 pm - +Smiley face: 19 March, 2024
"Caregivers Dilemma"
"There is no doubt that the social program to make caregiving a norm and recognition in the coming ageing society. It's a positive step forward in reaching out to the Community and people facing the challenge of taking care of their loved ones. It will be a spectrum of new experiences as we age and the differences in caring and providing the daily basic needs of the less abled seniors or even disabled mid-age adults; all of these home bound carings will no doubt be a burden not only to the caregivers but also their families too. It takes lots of patience, big heartedness, and selflessness to weather through the days and years till an individual passed on or the caregiver suffered the same fate of ageing diseases or illnesses and is no longer able to provide care to the other person. We are at the beginning of the crossroad of understanding and accepting the future duties and responsibilities as human to help our fellow humans. It starts from the will to help and the larger perspective of many moments of goodness one brings to others and importantly, it's a new learning experience which will be valuable and a role model to your children and close relatives that love and care doesn't stop at door steps or phone calls; the top of all of it is to truly care and really love your closed one everyday and treasures every moment till the last day. That's the hero in you!
-- anonymity
Begining?
It is good that we are embarking sooner to learn the Pitfall and adopt the success of caring of people who are either physically immobile or mentally disabled or terminal illness. Each of these challenges require different care procedures and the know-how in dealing with the daily lives of caring for them. It's more than changing diapers and showering or something else which will always be unique to each caregiver that faces this daily routine of care. And now the number one trend of caring is taking care of your spouse or engaging community or neighborhood volunteers to help.
Future?
It's through all of these enabling initiatives and community projects that we learned as many precious mistakes, common mismatches and reducing the margin of errors in order to arrive at an even more well prepared in handling many challenges of ageing society 2030 and there on. The future of care may include both spouses that need to be taken care of by either professional caregivers and or volunteers from charity organisations.
Male Caregiver? Female Caregiver? Match or Mismatch? Mission Statement?
Male caregivers match Female patients? Is it Mismatched ?
Female caregivers match Male or Female patients? Perhaps Matchable?
Will there be moments of embarrasement and dignity when performing change of clothes or change of diaper or toilet chores?
Our present generation of seniors are conservative and have many sensitive areas of privacy. This conservative mindset may prohibit many seniors from coming forward and seeking help when they are facing the impossible tasks to handle and to take care of their spouses!
So how can we encourage a change of mindset and open up to seek assistance from others? Will the simple idea of seeing others getting help and yourself will begin to accept such helping hands to come into your home? Will social media play an important role in shaping the old mindset of our seniors and how to begin the mission statement of care and help?
Dilemma and Hopes?
Caregivers (excluding professional caregivers) will weigh the pro and con before he or she takes on the responsibilities of caring for their parents or closed relatives. It will be a choice to the caregiver to offer the service to embark on the journey of caring which often enough does not bring them any compliment and it can be a thankless thing to do too.
The society itself, fundamentally is based on the belief that helping others is one good virtue and religion also exemplifies followers to do so. However, the reality and circumstances perhaps are the decider of decision to not care for your loved ones. Instead, some people chose to hire domestic helpers or nursing homes to care on the behalf of their parents or closed relatives who are singles or living alone.
That's the reality and the truth in many people's minds when the choice and decision to care or to offload to others to care on the back of own home care!
Options? Right? Wrong? Filial?
There is nothing right or no wrong because each family has its unique starting point and its ways of deciding on such sensitive family issues covering financial abilities to afford the types of care and the longer commitment to see it through the last day and making sure that it's always affordable to all of the supporting parties. And nobody will escape the path of getting old !
https://youtu.be/7aCfjuFyl9k?si=fqxTEvZv4wOUmERP
https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/has-the-push-for-female-equality-gone-too-far path of getting old!
- - in progress - -
19/3/24, 7:00 pm - +REACH: Dear Contributors,
We will be closing the chat for today.
Thank you very much for being part of our WhatsApp chat and participating actively.
Goodnight!
Megan π
19/3/24, 7:00 pm - +Smiley face: https://youtu.be/7aCfjuFyl9k?si=ymBQN5GnM5kynNVr
19/3/24, 7:00 pm - ~ REACH Singapore changed this group's settings to allow only admins to send messages to this group
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