In a heartwarming yet challenging story, Singapore's Ms. Jean Lim found herself unexpectedly thrust into the role of caregiver after her 71-year-old mother suffered a fall. The accident occurred just before Chinese New Year, leading to leg surgery and the discovery of degenerative disc disease—a condition that significantly affects mobility.

Despite her mother’s decision to remain independent at home, Ms. Lim, a busy mother of three, quickly realized the complexities of caregiving. "I was actually caught a bit unprepared," she admitted, highlighting the overwhelming pressure of juggling her own family life with her mother's needs.

To support caregivers like Ms. Lim, Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) has launched CarePal, an innovative online platform designed to be a one-stop solution for caregivers. Integrated into the NHG Health mobile app, CarePal allows users to craft a personalized profile for their loved ones, generating a tailored resource package to meet individual care needs.

Among its features, CarePal offers a handy 'caregiving calculator' to help users estimate caregiving costs, along with a rich library of resources—including articles, videos, and infographics geared towards community services and tips for self-care while navigating the stresses of caregiving.

This initiative is part of Project Carer Matters 2, spearheaded by TTSH to bolster Singapore’s caregiving ecosystem. Funded by the National Research Foundation, this program aims to build on efforts initiated during the COVID-19 pandemic that focused on addressing the challenges family caregivers face.

In a bid to foster peer support, TTSH has teamed up with the Home Nursing Foundation to create a befriending program that pairs seasoned caregivers with those who are just starting their journey, offering invaluable guidance and understanding.

Drawing on vital research from the Journal of Nutrition, Health and Ageing, TTSH's Nursing Deputy Director, Chan Ee Yuee, emphasized the urgent need for more caregiver support, revealing that approximately one-third of caregivers are at risk of depression and diminished quality of life.

With a staggering 210,000 full-time caregivers in Singapore and the number expected to rise sharply as the population ages, the urgency for such initiatives is clear. Projections estimate that over 21% of Singaporeans will be aged 65 or older by 2030.

Looking to the future, Dr. Chan hopes that CarePal will extend its benefits beyond the NHG Health cluster, reaching caregivers throughout Singapore. Additionally, the project is piloting a cutting-edge fall detection system developed by Conex Healthcare, which utilizes smart technology to monitor for falls and alert caregivers and emergency services as needed.

Ms. Lim is currently testing this advanced system in her mother's home, expressing gratitude for the peace of mind it provides: "Especially for caregivers who are unable to visit daily, it gives us peace of mind."

With such transformative tools in place, TTSH is leading the charge in revolutionizing support for caregivers, ensuring no one has to navigate this challenging path alone.