Challenges faced by caregivers in Singapore and how NTUC provides support

Caregiving is one of the most selfless and emotionally demanding responsibilities a person can take on, yet it is often undervalued and overlooked.

In Singapore, many individuals quietly juggle full-time jobs, family duties, and personal commitments while caring for elderly parents, children with special needs, or relatives with chronic conditions.

These caregivers form the backbone of many households, ensuring loved ones can age in place or recover in the comfort of their homes.

However, behind the scenes, they often shoulder immense emotional, physical and financial burdens.

With Singapore's population ageing and care needs on the rise, it is more critical than ever to acknowledge the challenges caregivers face and ensure that they are not left behind.

Physical and emotional burnout

According to a survey by the Palliative Care Centre for Excellence in Research and Education conducted between October 2022 and January 2023, caregivers spend nearly seven hours a day taking care of their wards. Such intense commitment often leads to chronic exhaustion, sleep deprivation, and mental strain.

Many caregivers provide constant care, particularly when assisting with daily living activities such as feeding, bathing, or mobility. This leads to physical fatigue, sleep deprivation, and chronic exhaustion.

The same survey also revealed that over four in 10 of them are at risk of depression after being confronted with challenges such as inflation pressures.

Emotional struggles

According to the Ministry of Social and Family Development, caregivers may develop feelings of guilt, anxiety, frustration, or resentment. Some caregivers feel constantly on edge or emotionally drained.

For example, when an elderly parent receives a severe medical diagnosis that requires immediate care, the adult child may assume the caregiving role. This huge life transition can cause stress, uncertainty and fear.

NTUC Health’s respite care and flexible care services

To reduce burnout and give caregivers some much-needed breathing space, NTUC Health provides respite care services.

Respite care provides temporary relief for primary caregivers by offering short-term care for a loved one, allowing the caregiver to take a needed break for personal needs or to avoid burnout.

Respite care can either be at home or centre based. Whether it is for a few hours a week or several days at a time, respite care options by NTUC Health can provide crucial relief for caregivers.

Another option is NTUC Health’s flexible care services, which provide caregivers looking for short-term or ad-hoc care.

Financial challenges faced by caregivers

Medical expenses, home modifications, special diets, therapy and equipment can add up significantly. This is especially hard on caregivers who are lower-wage workers.

Moreover, caregivers, especially those in full-time jobs, may reduce their work hours, refuse promotions, or even leave the workforce entirely to meet caregiving responsibilities, further squeezing household finances.

NTUC understands the pressures faced by caregivers who must balance family responsibilities with professional duties.

That is why NTUC provides various ways to empower caregivers, such as financial support or a platform to meet other caregivers and gain confidence.

Lack of skills, knowledge and training

Many caregivers find themselves thrust into their roles without proper training.

They may lack knowledge about care techniques, such as managing medications, transferring patients safely or handling conditions, such as dementia or chronic illnesses.

A 2023 study released by Duke-NUS Medical School found that only five per cent of caregivers had attended any caregiver training.

Various training providers conduct training for caregivers, such as the Agency for Integrated Care, the Singapore Red Cross and the Social Service Institute.

For families relying on migrant domestic workers to help with caregiving duties, NTUC and the Centre for Domestic Employees provide courses through NTUC LearningHub.

Supporting those who support others

As Singapore continues to age, empowering caregivers is not only the right thing to do. It is critical to the country’s future.

By supporting caregivers, NTUC ensures that caregiving does not come at the cost of livelihood, well-being or dignity.

Click here for more information on all NTUC Care assistance programmes.

To help those in need, you can donate to the NTUC-U Care Fund.