Inside Singapore's Eldercare Shortage: Who Will Care For Our Old? | Talking Point | Full Episode

In less than a decade, one in four Singaporeans will be considered elderly – aged 65 and above. 24,000 more people will be needed to care for our rapidly ageing population. But where are we going to find them? In this episode, host Diana Ser steps into the shoes of our busiest elder care workers to uncover the issues they face. With the help of experts, Diana also explores what can be done to save manpower, improve eldercare, and attract more people to work in a sector often characterized by burnout and a dearth of local professionals.

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Talking Point investigates a current issue or event, offering different perspectives to local stories and revealing how it all affects you.
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[pensieri]

A very timely discussion about the ever increasing numbers of elderly people in our midst. Absolutely appreciate Diana Ser's professional approach to interviewing the different stakeholders and thereby raising greater awarensss among the viewers!

[typetype]

Here's the irony: if I work in eldercare, I will likely not have enough money for my desired retirement and medical care when I'm old.

[DestructiveMage]

I understand these eldercare staff members. Others know that my work as a healthcare worker is tiring but why I don't leave? It's because I love my job. I love helping others and making their life better.

[arcencielc]

Thank you very much to all those who are looking after the elderly. One day, all of us will get old too so please be nice to such workers.

[bobafett]

*Well done CNA and Diana this is an insightful excellent informative and an eye opening episode*

[munster]

If the career pays as well or better than a software engineer (which is one of the more sought after jobs today), you will find a lot more candidates applying. Remember the population white paper which listed nursing as an unskilled job? And statement was only retracted after nurses protested. You guys talk about 3%, 5%, 7% salary increments as something to consider deeply. But 100% increments plus stock options to executives in corporate sector as no biggie.

[ondradeese]

This discussion is really good. I hope you get an award because we as people are good at talking about what we don't know and haven't experienced. I wish others especially, spouses and partner, could trade places for one day with love ones in this field.

[liewskincare]

Respect to every caretaker, it is a overwhelming, tiring, hard and underpaid job! I could never do that. If I'm lucky and there are still workers there, I will end up I'm the retirement center. If I would ever have kids, I will never expect them to take care of me.

[Emp_Ress]

I'm a child care teacher, foreigner, and I can relate with these care staff. Government should recall and revise their ratio.
Taking care of adults are somehow same with managing children.
Increase our salary wether private company or not should get paid equally.

[divasg]

To the govt, media, eldercare service provider:
Shortfall for eldercare have a national service to care for the elderly as a community service. It educate, teach, bring awareness & respect for the elderly who could no longer care for themselves hence you built a cohesive, caring & resilient society so when your turn comes young ppl would grow old & can come forward to train & provide feedback, support so burn out is reduce & can be eradicated as they don't have to do it alone!

[MySherline]

Thank you for this insights into ageing care and also brings out the passions of individual to be able to care for others. This is certainly a growing concerns for singapore. We should all.plan for our sliver years to.come too..

[stellagreen]

Hats off to all care workers
You need to have empathy to do it

[bryanbambao]

My sister works in a homecare in singapore before, they are under paid and over work…. now she works in Germany…..

[nicklee]

Taking care of helpless elderly should be part of National Service; A national duty for those youngsters.

[daddyraffles]

Maybe income tax exemption is solution for to attract a local workers as nursing homes caregivers?
Caregivers in weekends? Complete a monthly hours for tax exemption?

[bobafett]

*Down the road as ageing population growing rapidly and considering the drastic effect of the dwindling of healthcare workers maybe Euthanasia can be considered as a last resort*

[vincestone]

There is one more way of handling old age where the quality of life is gone.
And this is by way of voluntary euthanasia.
More and more Westerners are adopting this technique rather than leaving themselves at the "tender" mercy of others!

[leecheehao]

Why aren't the eldercare staff paid a decent median salary? Give the locals a minimum of 5k. It's just a simple case of government not willing to fund a lot more and agencies not willing to reduce their profit.

[missjaniceng]

Many elderly care can have maids look after elderly at their own homes . More quality care because elderly have individual needs eg their own favourite food n own dietry requirements etc The family of elderly can also visit their parents anytime or in some cases elderly can stay with their own children n have a maid taking care of their parents n enjoy fellowship of their parents

[vincestone]

Ideally robots armed with AI should be used to care for the elderly, especially when heavy lifting is required.