When to Seek Help
“Why doesn’t anyone ask how I am doing?”
It’s easy to feel invisible next to a person with dementia. Many caregivers say that nobody asks about their situation as everyone else is focused on the person with dementia. These feelings should not be allowed to build up, as mental health experts advise. Support groups, religious and spiritual advisers, or mental health counsellors can always advise caregivers on the many positive ways to seek help when needed.
Outreach Teams In The Community
There are caregiver community outreach teams who can support caregivers who are at-risk of developing depression, anxiety and burnout. It aims to support you in self-care through health and wellness activities, stress management, peer support, and future planning. You can also be engaged with basic emotional support, link up with support groups and counselling services where needed.
There are currently two providers for Caregiver Community Outreach Teams: Caregivers Alliance Limited (CAL) and Dementia Singapore.
Support Groups
There are people in similar situations experiencing and feeling the same way as you do. Support groups offer a safe and comfortable platform for you to meet such people and share your experiences. You will get to learn new caregiving tips and know useful resources. Not only will you be getting help, but you will also be able to help others.
Such interaction can provide emotional support, allow better stress management and reduce sense of frustration and isolation in caregivers. The support groups are usually facilitated by professionals such as social workers or counsellors, though there are some peer-led groups as well.
Support Groups by Hospital and Specialist Centre
- Changi General Hospital
- National University Hospital
- Singapore General Hospital
- National Neroscience Institute (NNI)
- National Cancer Centre Singapore
- Institute of Mental Health
Support groups in the Community
Online Support Groups
Support groups can exist in virtual forms as well, such as online forums and social media platforms. Such platforms allow you to be part of a network of fellow caregivers, locally or internationally, without having to go down to a physical location.
If you do not have the time, feel unwell, or prefer to maintain a degree of privacy when sharing your personal thoughts and feelings, online support groups may benefit you.
You can search online for such support group or ask other fellow caregivers to introduce you to some groups. Alternatively, below are some online communities you can check out on Facebook:
- AWWA Caregiver Connect
- Caregiver and the Elderly
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Association (Singapore)
- Diabetic Society of Singapore
- Life after stroke in Singapore
- NTUC Health
- PH Singapore (for pulmonary hypertension patients and caregivers)
- Singapore Association for Mental Health
- Singapore Liver Cancer Support Group
- Society for Continence (Singapore)
Counselling
If you would like to address your challenges on a more personal level, you can seek counselling support from professionals. They can help you to understand and deal with your issues and emotions better. Below are some Counselling Services you can check out:
