New report on caring for seniors at home

When 84-year-old Mr Tan (not his real name), who has dementia, could no longer be cared for at a senior care centre, his children came together to discuss options for the care of their father.

Sharing the responsibility of caregiving between the primary caregiver and family, and establishing new aspects of relationships - such as taking turns to run errands for the elderly - were suggestions presented in a new report Good Care At Home, produced by the National University of Singapore Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine's Centre for Biomedical Ethics.

It details recommendations on how to give the best care for seniors at home and aims to provide ethical standards when providing such care.

Associate Professor Jacqueline Chin, one of the report's authors, said: "Many people who give care to older adults are not professionals. Most are family members, domestic workers, neighbours and community volunteers. While there are limits to holding them to professional performance standards, the report discusses appropriate standards that can be taken."

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Other suggestions include continuing to support the personal choices of seniors without compromising their safety. This often involves managing the risks for a senior living independently.

For instance, limiting a senior's movement at home to prevent falls could curb their independence.

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In some circumstances, it may be more convenient and affordable to modify flats of seniors to increase their safety and independence, the report noted.

Many people who give care to older adults are not professionals. Most are family members, domestic workers, neighbours and community volunteers.Associate Professor Jacqueline Chin, one of the report’s authors

The report, which was funded by the Lien Foundation, drew on interviews and workshops with more than 170 healthcare and social workers from 2015 to last year. It is a follow-up of the centre's publication that discussed issues faced by those who care for the elderly.

Ms Peh Kim Choo, chief executive of Tsao Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to aged care and ageing issues, said: "The report benefits various groups, including policy makers, service providers, families and seniors in understanding the social dimensions of good care in an ageing society and the expanded care roles and responsibilities of the community."

The report can be downloaded at cbme.nus.edu.sg