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Caregiving and Caregiver Support

“There are only four kinds of people in the world.
Those who have been caregivers. Those who are currently caregivers.
Those who will be caregivers, and those who will need a caregiver.”
- Rosalyn Carter

Enabling Masterplan 2017 - 2021: Caring Nation, Inclusive Society

The Enabling Masterplan is a five-year roadmap that guides the building of a more inclusive society. The 3rd Enabling Masterplan guide initiatives for the period 2017 - 2021, building on the progress of the 2nd Enabling Masterplan (2012 - 2016) in fostering a caring and inclusive society for both caregivers and persons with disabilities. Find out more about the recommendations by the Steering Committee for the 3rd Enabling Masterplan announced on 20 December 2016.

A Shared Responsibility

In our pursuit of a brighter future for caregiving, we delved into a user-centric design ethnography process. This journey unearthed the needs, wants, and challenges faced by caregivers, resulting in a publication and a prototype toolkit designed to spark conversations and provide support.

Caregivers: The red thread across social and health care

Aid and attention are usually given to patients in healthcare, or to clients in social service organisations. However, when we step back to look at the journey of patients or clients, we begin to see Caregivers who are always alongside them throughout these care journeys.

Family Caregivers are the main care coordinators, acting as a red thread, trying to tie together the fragmented pieces of their family member’s care across several different touch points: clinicians, hospital stays, polyclinic visits, dealing with social service agencies and other community services. They are the ones that link the key transitions between care touch points and home or everyday life.

Support for Caregivers: A Core Focus for NCSS

Caregiving is both a challenging and profoundly fulfilling journey. Within our community, we provide extensive support and resources for both caregivers and care recipients.

NCSS supported three caregiver support initiatives shared during the Motion on Singapore Women's Development. These initiatives aim to create a comprehensive support ecosystem for caregivers to strengthen the first and last mile support for caregivers.

WIN Caregivers Network

Introducing Caregiver Support Networks: A Beacon of Hope for Caregivers

NCSS has collaborated with the People’s Association and Caregivers Alliance Limited on one of our most exciting initiatives: the pilot launch of WIN Caregivers Network, a peer support network rooted in the community. Pioneered by NCSS in collaboration with the People’s Association and Caregivers Alliance Limited, this network offers holistic support for caregivers, strengthening their connection to the resources available within the community.

The pilot of WIN Caregivers Network was officially inaugurated on April 10, 2022, by Senior Minister of State (SMS) for Sustainability and the Environment and Transport, Dr. Amy Khor. She also serves as the Adviser to the PA WIN Council. Initially, the pilot catered to caregivers of persons with mental health conditions in these areas: Henderson Dawson, Bukit Gombak, Hong Kah North, Tampines Central, Nee Soon East, and Fengshan. On March 16, 2024, Ms Sim Ann, Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and National Development, announced the expansion of the Network to 5 more divisions across Singapore: Toa Payoh West-Thomson, Eunos, Chong Pang, Kampong Chai Chee and Boon Lay.

The Vision for WIN Caregivers Network

WIN Caregivers Network, aims to achieve these goals:

Actively reach out to caregivers, provide them with training and connect them to a supportive network of fellow caregivers and volunteers.
Eliminate barriers that might hinder caregivers from accessing crucial services.
Establish a sustainable network of support for caregivers within the community.

How Can You Help or Refer Caregivers?

If you are aware of any caregivers or volunteers who wish to join this network, you may reach out to the following contacts:

For caregivers looking after persons with mental health conditions,
kindly direct them to Caregivers Alliance Limited or reach out via email at e2e@cal.org.sg

If you are keen to support our caregivers,
please feel free to contact Andy_Teo@pa.gov.sg.

Strengthening Caregiver Communities Playbook

If you are keen to facilitate the building of a similar support network in your community, the following playbook, developed through a collaborative effort between NCSS, Caregivers Alliance Limited, and People’s Association, serves as a practical guide. The playbook consolidates best practices and insights from the pilot phase of the WIN Caregivers Network.

The Caregiver Community Lab

Empowering Caregivers, Strengthening Communities

The Caregiver Community Lab is a collaborative initiative by NCSS in partnership with Montfort Care, aimed at enhancing the caregiving experience and providing support within local communities.

Our Journey So Far

Launched in 2019, the Lab adopts a locality-based approach with a primary focus on caregivers in Radin Mas. Recognising that caregivers often seek help when they are overwhelmed, and valuable services remain underutilised, we decided to take a proactive stance. The Lab stands with caregivers as they fulfil their vital caregiving roles, uncovering the barriers they face in accessing services. With these insights in hand, caregivers and community partners engage in co-creation sessions to develop, pilot, and refine solutions. Additionally, the Lab recruits volunteers to serve as informal supporters and guides for caregivers, aptly known as Community Ambassadors.

In 2021, tanjong pagar became part of the lab's expansion. This expansion allows NCSS and Montfort Care to explore synergies between the two communities, further enhancing caregiver support services.

The Vision for the Caregiver Community Lab

The Caregiver Community Lab aims to do the following:

Deeper Insights: To gain profound insights into the challenges faced by caregivers in accessing services.
Enhanced Linkages: To foster stronger connections and integration of caregiver support services.
Increased Awareness: We endeavour to raise awareness regarding caregivers and caregiving within the local community.

How Can You Contribute or Refer Caregivers?

If you're aware of caregivers residing in Radin Mas or Tanjong Pagar, you can direct them to Montfort Care's webpage or contact the Caregiver Hotline at 8343 3224.

For those who wish to support caregivers in Radin Mas and Tanjong Pagar as a Community Ambassador, your assistance is warmly welcomed. You can also inquire by contacting the Caregiver Hotline at 8343 3224.

Alliance for Action for Caregivers of Persons with Disabilities

Empowering Caregivers: Together We Care

In 2021, NCSS and SG Enable joined forces to create the Alliance for Action (AfA), with the shared goal of addressing the needs of caregivers of persons with disabilities. This alliance seeks to tap on community partners to co-create solutions, bridging gaps in services and addressing the challenges faced by these caregivers. One of the ongoing projects is Project 3i, an initiative led by CaringSG, which aims to work with key stakeholders to connect, enable, and empower caregivers to access timely and suitable support. Project 3i centres on being Integrative, Individualised, and Intentional in its approach, focusing on holistic well-being, customised support, and outcomes-focused partnerships.

This initiative comprises of three essential tiers:

CAREconnect: This platform connects caregivers to both fellow caregivers and valuable resources.
CAREbuddy: A peer mentorship programme, offering one-on-one support from trained buddies.
CAREwell: Connecting caregivers with complex needs to professional support.

If you're interested in becoming a part of Project 3i or know someone who could benefit from this initiative, please do not hesitate to contact CaringSG.

Who Cares for the Caregiver? Who Cares for the Future of Caregiving?

To answer these questions, we engaged in a user-centric design ethnography process with diverse caregivers. Through this, we identified their needs, values, hopes, and fears. Insights gleaned are translated into opportunity areas to enhance the caregiving experience.

The Outputs

The publication and toolkit are the fruits of our design ethnographic process. The publication outlines nine key insights, translating them into a future vision of caregiving. It presents an actionable design strategy visualised through concept maps. The toolkit, designed for healthcare workers, social service professionals, volunteers, and caregivers, offers tools to spark conversations and provide support.

Please fill up this form before downloading the publication and the toolkit.

"Who Cares?" Publication

Download

The publication presents nine key insights from the research and how they translate towards a future vision of caregiving. This vision is articulated as an actionable design strategy, visualised through seven concept maps that can inform innovation and drive implementation of near, mid and long term solutions.
You can also scan the QR codes found within the pages to experience the myriad of emotions that our caregivers feel through their videos.

"We Care" Toolkit

Download Full Toolkit

Download Tools only

If you are a healthcare worker, social service professional, volunteer, or basically anyone who cares for caregivers, we have developed a toolkit with a set of tools to help you spark conversations and aid in caring for them.

For more information, visit our partner consultancy, Fuelfor's Who Cares microsite.

Continue the Journey

The concepts featured in the publication are open for further development. Contact us online or email Pumpkinlab@ncss.gov.sg if you wish to contribute to creating a better future for caregiving.