Pressroom

Caring for caregivers: New book offers a lifeline for self-care and support

In this in-depth article featuring the work of various non-profit organisations in providing help and resources to caregivers, CAL was featured for the launch of its pilot Respite & Resilience (R&R) Retreat Programme in May and October this year. ‍ ‍ For partner architect Ms Janet Yeo who attended the October retreat, she was not aware that she was on the brink of burnout while caregiving for her mother with dementia and urinary issues, and husband in recovery from cancer. Through the retreat she took steps to self-care by exercising and getting enough sleep. CAL CEO Tim Lee, who participated in both of the runs, highlighted that the retreat aims to provide caregivers who are burnt out and isolated due to the demands of caregiving a home away from home, teaching them to be intentional about self-care, experience the benefits of stepping away from their caregiving tasks, reconnect with themselves and, importantly, finding social support through the new friends they made. He further added that compassionate and flexible work arrangements and support for caregivers to thrive in the workplace is important as they continue to be dedicated caregivers for their loved ones.

Brewing Up Hope: Singapore’s First Starbucks Community Store Aims to be a Beacon for Mental Health
 

In this article, CAL and its caregivers were featured as part of Starbucks's launch of its first Community Store here in Singapore. As a beneficiary of Friends of the Gardens programme, CAL caregivers were invited to attend a coffee appreciation workshop and a kokekadama workshop, with Minister of State for the Ministry of Home Affairs Sun Xueling gracing the launch. ‍ ‍ CEO Tim Lee had shared how such self-care activities like the aforementioned were important for them to experience life beyond just their identity as a caregiver. C2C Graduate and Volunteer Trainer Cocoanna Cityruth Christian second this sentiment, adding how such moments of respite are invaluable, and allow her to appreciate life outside of caregiving.

Retired civil servant who has been married for 60 years attends training to better take care of his spouse

In this article featuring CAL's newly minted graduates from the C2C-PMHI Training Programme held at Brickland Community Club, the graduation ceremony saw both caregivers of loved ones with dementia and mental health exchanging knowledge and experiences over the course of three months with each other. The programme had benefited both dementia and mental health caregivers, with the former caring for loved ones who may present symptoms of depression or mood disorders.

This comprehensive understanding equips them to provide more holistic care and practice empathy. One such caregiver is Mr Fu Changji, who is caring for his wife with dementia. For 12 weeks, he would share his takeaways from the programme with his wife when he came home, improving their communication skills and patience supporting each other.

‘Anorexia was my best friend’: Why youth have eating disorders

In this in-depth feature article by the Straits Times sharing the experiences of those with eating disorder, NUS undergraduate Yeo Shin Loong shared how his fear of being overweight in primary school led to an excessive exercising routine as a young adult in National Service. This routine was further exacerbated when he entered university. Fuelled by academic stress and his perfectionist tendency, he would only eat after completing all of his assignments - resulting in only one meal a day. ‍ ​

Shin Loong added that regardless of gender, both men and women can have the same struggles with eating disorders and men should not discount their struggles just because they don't fit the gender role, urging those suffering to seek help. His father is a recent graduate from CAL's C2C-Eating Disorder (C2C-ED) Training Programme. After class, he would share useful knowledge with his wife and son, so that the whole family could support Shin Loong on his recovery journey.

[Guardian Angel] Sister sent her brother with schizophrenia to the Institute of Mental Health: I felt like I had betrayed my brother's trust

In this new video feature and podcast series by 8world spotlighting the selfless dedication of caregivers for their loved ones, CAL Programme Manager Mary Yip recounted the highs and lows of her 20 years caregiving for her younger brother Andy Yip with schizophrenia, and supporting her parents as they journeyed with their son. Mary highlighted how finding CAL in 2012 and attending our C2C Training Programme then transformed her outlook on caregiving and mental health issues.

Her "childhood playmate" relationship with her now 51-year-old brother has encouraged him to confide, feel comforted and reassured by Mary throughout his recovery journey. The family is now working towards, and are hopeful for Andy to soon reintegrate into the community and live independently.

For those who are an only child, no one shares the load when Mum and Dad get sick

In this in-depth feature article detailing the challenges that an only child experiences when their parents fall ill, C2C-Dementia Graduate Heron Khalid Goh and C2C-PMHI Graduate Ernie Zheng recounted the emotional journey they underwent with their loved ones. ​

Heron recalls the feeling of helplessness upon relocating to Singapore at the height of Covid-19, just as his mother was diagnosed with dementia and his father was fighting severe pneumonia in the ICU. What used to be jet-setting life, his rountine now revolves around cooking, cleaning, and taking his parents to medical appointments. Ernie on the other hand, tried to cope with his mother's schizophrenia for a year before seeking help at the Family Service Centre. Though grateful to have met other caregivers through CAL's C2C Training Programme, asking for help continues to be a learning journey for him. ​

CAL Programme Manager Louis Lee summed up nicely the work that CAL does for our caregivers, which is to ultimately forming a network of fellow caregivers, who can support each other in the long run.

Caregiver burnout: How women can cope with the fatigue and the impact to their finances

In this explainer article detailing how caregiving responsibilities often fall on women, it spotlighted the financial strain and emotional burnout many experience. With 60 percent of caregivers in Singapore being women, they frequently struggle to balance work, caregiving, and personal well-being. The article also explores the financial impact, including reduced savings and income due to career sacrifices. ​

CAL Cluster Head Evelyn Chng shares her personal experience of juggling work, caring for her son and mother with dementia, and managing her health. She recounts facing burnout and panic attacks while balancing her duties and emphasises the importance of self-care and for caregivers to seek help. Evelyn shared how family involvement in sharing caregiving responsibilities can significantly make a difference, and the importance for employers to learn and be aware of the caregiving challenges for those whose loved ones have mental health issues or dementia.

Stay with me as much as possible to reduce regrets

In this column article contribute by C2C-Dementia Graduate Lim Hai Yen, she shared on her year-long journey of attending CAL's C4C Support Programme. Through her experience with other caregivers and self-reflection, she has embraced the importance of acceptance, letting go, and practicing harmony, especially in caregiving for the elderly. ​

Hai Yen recounted an experience where she arrived late to the C4C Graduation Ceremony, delaying the potluck session because she was responsible for tableware. She used this moment to illustrate a small but impactful analogy: just as a meal isn’t complete without tableware, a loved one's journey isn’t complete without recognising and valuing the efforts of caregivers who tirelessly support their loved ones. Their contributions are essential to a loved one's health, and they too, must be cared for.

The prevalence of dementia among local elders has declined for the first time in the past decade

In this explainer article, CAL Programme Manager Evelyn Chng shared her initial caregiving experiences during the onset of her mother's dementia diagnosis, and how she struggled to care for her mother while also caregiving for her son who has obsessive compulsive disorder.

From experiencing panic attacks to describing herself as "drowning", today Evelyn is better empowered to care for herself while also caring for her mother. With the assistance of a helper, her mother attends daycare on weekdays and Evelyn occasionally takes her out during the weekends for dementia-related activities. Evelyn's sharing complements the findings of the Well-being of the Singapore Elderly (Wise) study released by the Institute of Mental Health. While the prevalence of dementia among older adults aged 60 and above in Singapore has dropped to 8.8 per cent from 10 per cent in 2013, caregivers of loved ones with dementia have a significantly higher care burden than those without (37 percent versus 18 percent). The study also notes that the country’s population rapidly ages, the number of people with dementia will grow and pose a challenge to their caregivers and the healthcare sector.

Prevalence of dementia in Singapore falls to 1 in 11 among older adults: IMH study

In this explainer article, CAL Programme Manager Evelyn Chng shared her initial caregiving experiences during the onset of her mother's dementia diagnosis, and how she struggled to care for her mother while also caregiving for her son who has obsessive compulsive disorder.

From experiencing panic attacks to describing herself as "drowning", today Evelyn is better empowered to care for herself while also caring for her mother. With the assistance of a helper, her mother attends daycare on weekdays and Evelyn occasionally takes her out during the weekends for dementia-related activities. Evelyn's sharing complements the findings of the Well-being of the Singapore Elderly (Wise) study released by the Institute of Mental Health. While the prevalence of dementia among older adults aged 60 and above in Singapore has dropped to 8.8 per cent from 10 per cent in 2013, caregivers of loved ones with dementia have a significantly higher care burden than those without (37 percent versus 18 percent). The study also notes that the country’s population rapidly ages, the number of people with dementia will grow and pose a challenge to their caregivers and the healthcare sector.

Volunteer supervisor trains hundreds of caregivers to better serve mental health and dementia patients

In this feature article, CAL Cluster Head for Volunteer Management, Yin Feng shared how her passion for mental health started 20 years ago as a surgical nurse. While nursing patients back on their feet, Yin Feng saw the emotional struggles that families go through witnessing their loved ones in pain, or losing them. These moments inspired her to transition from surgical to psychiatric nursing, and to pursue a Master's Degree in Psychological Counselling; eventually landing herself in the mental health community and with CAL. ​

Having recruited and trained over 300 volunteers with the Volunteer Management Team, Yin Feng describes her journey as a "homecoming" moment; having supported patients in the hospital setting, she now empowers their caregivers in the non-profit space. CAL is fortunate to have dedicated staff and also volunteers, allowing our events and our signature Caregivers-to-Caregivers (C2C) Training Programme to thrive.

Morning Shot: A Brand For Good That's Caring For Caregivers

With CAL recently awarded Champion in the Business for Good Category at the Brands for Good Award 2024, CAL was invited to speak with Audrey Siek of Money FM 89.3 to discuss the mental health landscape in Singapore.

CAL Spokesperson and Programme Manager Faiza Sanip explained how individuals can identify as caregivers to someone with a mental health issue and benefit from our fully-funded Caregivers-to-Caregivers (C2C) Training Programme. She highlighted that, with 1 in 7 Singaporeans experiencing a mental health condition, it is vital for families and friends to be equipped to support their loved ones. Drawing from her own caregiving experience, Faiza emphasised that continued education, normalising mental health issues, and acceptance are key to destigmatising and building an inclusive community for both caregivers and persons in recovery.

Program latihan percuma dalam bahasa Melayu untuk penjaga pesakit mental

In this feature article, CAL is excited to announce the launch of our new Caregivers-to-Caregivers (C2C) Training Programme in Malay language, in an effort to reach out and empower caregivers in the Malay-Muslim community with the relevant skills and knowledge, and provide them with much needed emotional support. The article also elaborates on CAL's ongoing Pilot C2C Malay programme, currently attended by 12 participants ranging from the age of 20s to 60s. CAL is the first non Malay-Muslim Organisation and first non-profit organisation in Singapore to launch such a mental health caregiver training programme for Malay-speaking caregivers.

Pengalaman jaga anak skizofrenia dorong ibu bimbing penjaga pesakit mental

In this article, CAL Programme Manager Faiza Sanip was featured for her caregiving journey to her son with schizophrenia, where she also shares a journey as a CAL volunteer trainer-turned-staff in 2022. Faiza shares the initial challenges that she had to navigate during the onset of her son's illness in 2014, including her own journey of acceptance towards the diagnosis. She detailed how finding CAL at the start of Covid-19 later motivated her to support other caregivers as an online volunteer trainer, while giving her the flexibility to continue caregiving full-time. This year marks Faiza's 10th year of being a caregiver to her son.

实况报道：看护者的“我问天”……亲情何以为继 当记忆渐渐归零 (How can family affection continue when memories gradually fade away?)

In this article, experts weighed in on the challenges of managing violent dementia patients and how Singapore's rapidly ageing population requires caregivers to be trained on the relevant caregiving knowledge, and be wrapped by a support system of resources to care for their loved ones with dementia. The steady increase in dementia cases also predicts that more caregivers will be vulnerable to experiencing mental health issues. The article further details that while both families and nursing homes play an important role in dementia care, nursing homes in Singapore are facing immense pressure to meet the demand due to manpower limitations. ​

CAL Programme Manager Louis Lee shared that to meet the growing needs of these population, the number of classes for C2C-Dementia Training Programme by CAL has also seen an increase from 8 to 35 per year, and CAL's partnership with our community partners has been vital to ensure that our programmes and services are accessible to caregivers across Singapore.

Capital 958: How CAL supports caregivers of persons with mental health issues

In this radio interview, CAL Cluster Head Evelyn Chng, alongside IMH Executive Philip Lee shared on the CAL's longstanding partnership with IMH, and how caregivers are important in the recovery of a person with a mental health issue. Evelyn clarifies the differences between a professional and personal family caregiver, and emphasises the importance of caregivers sharing their lived experiences with other caregivers. She highlights that though one may not be a caregiver now, one should learn and be aware of the available help and resources to aid them as future caregivers.

Evelyn also shared how CAL's fundraising efforts, caregiver engagement activities and volunteer work, and partnerships with various corporate, community and hospital partners increases islandwide visibility of CAL programmes and services, ensuring that caregivers can get timely and accessible help at no cost.

Thank you, remember me

In this column article contribute by C2C-Dementia Graduate Lim Hai Yen, who is currently attending CAL's Caregivers-for-Caregivers (C4C) Support Programme she shared on her experience attending CAL's programmes. In her commentary she wrote about the importance of acceptance and managing a caregiver's expectations as they care for their loved ones with dementia. She added that the challenges that a caregiver faces is an opportunity for them to improve themselves for the betterment of their caregiving journey and for their loved ones.

Rising number of cases: What is it like to care for a child with an eating disorder?

09 June 2024 Rising number of cases: What is it like to care for a child with an eating disorder? Straits Times st-logo-opt.png ​In this explainer article detailing the caregiving and recovery journey of parents whose loved ones are diagnosed with eating disorders, C2C-Eating Disorder (ED) Graduate Angela Tan shares with readers the challenges and frustrations she faced supporting her daughter's recovery from anorexia nervosa. ​

CAL Manager-in-Charger for Outreach to Corporates, Community and Faith-based groups Ms Nandita Nalawala added that many parents blame themselves, thinking that they neglected their loved ones, who are as young as 11 years old. In our C2C-Eating Disorder Programme, she encourages caregivers to separate the illness from the person, reassuring them that it was not a failure on their part as caregivers, rather their loved ones do not have a choice in developing the eating disorder, nor stopping it.

Daily Cuts - A Letter to Myself: Schizophrenia couldn't keep me down

In this radio interview, Programme Manager Valerie Liu shares her recovery journey from schizophrenia, and how consistent treatment plan, strong support network and healthy coping strategies allowed her to overcome her initial challenges with the mental health condition. She particularly credits a turning point in her journey to her mother, Cindy Tan, who had attended CAL's Caregiver-to-Caregiver (C2C) Training Programme and is also now a Programme Manager with CAL. While Valerie shares that they are now bestfriends, she let on the challenges that they both faced as a mother-daughter duo in the initial stages of her dignosis. Have a listen of how Valerie made it through those challenging times and what she would tell her younger self.

Commentary: Cancer is my latest curveball in life, and here’s why I’m not keeping it under wraps anymore

In this commentary, CAL Head of Communications Ryp Yong shares her story as a breast cancer survivor, and her journey of growing beyond the unpopular labels that one may find themselves struggling with at a certain life stage. Ryp writes on how the diagnosis happened, the initial stages of her cancer treatment and recovery process, and also the emotional reconciliation that she undertook. As she moved on from the cancer chapter, Ryp explains why she hid her diagnosis from her colleagues who are caring for loved ones with mental health issues or dementia, and how cancer is no longer a death sentence for her, but rather has given her a new lease on life.

Flexi-work guidelines not enough to return to the labour force, caregivers say

In this explainer article, caregivers tell CNA about the challenges they face when seeking employment, and share their doubts over whether new flexi-work guidelines will help. ​

CAL Comms Executive Nur Hidayah and CAL C2C-Dementia Graduate Mark Chin shares how their caregiving impacted decisions surrounding their career path and choices, and how they had to take a step back from their pursuits for a working arrangement that meets their caregiving needs. CAL CEO Tim Lee cites the compassion needed to run a caregiver-friendly workplace, in addition to having a strong financial foundation so that the company can afford to give its staff flexibility.

WIN Caregiver Support Network will expand to five new districts this June

CAL is proud to announce the expansion of the WIN Caregivers Network to five new areas across Singapore, following the successful pilot programme with community partners People's Association Women's Integration Network (WIN) Council and Women's Executive Committees (WEC), which benefitted over 300 caregivers. From June 2024, we hope to offer help, hope and friendship to even more caregivers - those in Toa Payoh West-Thomson, Eunos, Chong Pang, Kampong Chai Chee and Boon Lay.

Read on and journey with CAL's C2C-PMHI Alumni cum Volunteer Trainer, Alice Loo and how CAL's C2C programmes have helped her understand and manage her loved one with schizophrenia.

Caregiver support network expands to five new areas including Eunos and Chong Pang

CAL is proud to announce the expansion of the WIN Caregivers Network to five new areas across Singapore, following the successful pilot programme with community partners People's Association Women's Integration Network (WIN) Council and Women's Executive Committees (WEC), which benefitted over 300 caregivers. From June 2024, we hope to offer help, hope and friendship to even more caregivers - those in Toa Payoh West-Thomson, Eunos, Chong Pang, Kampong Chai Chee and Boon Lay.

​Would you change jobs in your 40s or 50s? These women made a midlife career switch with no regrets

In this feature article celebrating women forging new paths in pursuit of purposeful careers, meet former CAL staff Michelle Tan, who leaped from the world of advertising into social services. Her caregiving journey to her late mother with cancer encouraged her to redefine success in her professional life. Michelle, who was first a volunteer trainer before joining CAL as an Outreach Manager, has formally completed her graduate diploma in social work with the Singapore University of Social Sciences, and hopes to continue and be of service to those in need.