One in seven older adults in Singapore are juggling full-time work, chronic illness, and unpaid caregiving—often while managing their own health conditions.
KEY POINTS
IN SIMPLE TERMS
A study found that many older Singaporeans aged 48 and above are working full-time while also looking after sick or elderly relatives and dealing with their own health problems. Most of these caregivers are women, and many don't know about or use support services that could help them.
WHY IT MATTERS
WHERE DO YOU STAND?
Should Singapore require employers to offer mandatory caregiver leave or workplace flexibility to support older workers caring for relatives?
👍 👎 Vote ↓A recent study reveals the complex challenges faced by Singapore’s older adult caregivers, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced support systems.
In a recent article by SMU, a groundbreaking study has shed light on the growing number of older adults in Singapore who are taking on caregiving roles.
The research, conducted by the Singapore Management University (SMU) Centre for Research on Successful Ageing (ROSA), polled 7,692 Singapore residents aged 48 to 79 and their spouses in November 2024.
This study aims to examine caregiving patterns and physical well-being in Singapore.
The findings highlight a pressing need for workplace flexibility, health interventions, and better access to caregiving support.
The study revealed some striking statistics about older caregivers in Singapore.
Nearly half (45.24%) of older caregivers were working full-time.
More than half (57.25%) of caregivers were women.
These numbers underscore the significant burden placed on older adults, especially women, who are balancing work and caregiving responsibilities.
The research uncovered the extensive nature of caregiving duties among older adults.
Almost 1 in 4 caregivers (23.35%) cared for more than one care recipient.
More than half (54.09%) of care recipients were 80 years old and above.
The study also found that:
The health status of caregivers themselves is a cause for concern.
One in three (33.99%) caregivers suffered from two or more chronic conditions.
Caregivers often neglected their own health, focusing on their care recipients instead.
This trend highlights the need for health interventions specifically targeted at older caregivers.
The study revealed a significant gap in awareness and utilisation of support services.
Only 50.09% of caregivers were aware of respite care services.
Even more concerning, 82.83% of caregivers had never used respite care services.
This lack of awareness and utilisation suggests a need for better outreach and education about available support systems.
Based on these findings, the study suggests several policy recommendations to support older caregivers.
“Future policies should emphasise a holistic caregiver support system, incorporating financial aid, workplace flexibility and health interventions to alleviate caregiver burdens and enhance their quality of life,” SMU reported.
Key recommendations include:
The study underscores the urgent need for enhanced support systems for older caregivers.
“The reality is that many older adults are not just care recipients – they are caregivers too, often working full-time while managing their own health issues. Yet, support structures haven’t caught up to this shift,” Professor Paulin Straughan, Director of ROSA, was quoted as saying by SMU.
This statement highlights the gap between the growing number of older adult caregivers and the lack of adequate support systems.
Do you think Singapore is doing enough to support older adult caregivers?
Should Singapore require employers to offer mandatory caregiver leave or workplace flexibility to support older workers caring for relatives?
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