Tips From Other Caregivers

Learning from Other Caregivers

You are not alone in your caregiving journey. You may feel that “I am the only one thinking and feeling this way”. Actually, there are many other caregivers who are in their respective stages of this journey and may feel the same as you do.

You can speak up to share your innermost feelings which can help reduce the feelings of isolation and relieve some of the emotions you may have. Through your sharing, other caregivers can learn from your rich experience and useful advice to support each other in this journey together. There are sharing platforms such as Caregiver Support Network, support groups, and sharing your stories via print or video.

Caregiver Support Network

To create a supportive and inclusive community, Caregiver Support Network is being developed to empower caregivers via peer network, focusing on self-care, mindset change and recognition. You need to take care of yourself before you can take care of others. In this network, fellow caregivers can connect and share caregiving tips while encouraging one another. Beyond your caregiving identity, you can build on your own strengths, talents and interest to be yourself again.

Today there are 10 Caregiver Support Network in the community: Queenstown, MacPherson, Nee Soon South, Teck Ghee, Hong Kah North, Bedok, Woodlands, Toa Payoh East, Taman Jurong, and Yio Chu Kang. If you would like to find out more, you may email ccmh@aic.sg.

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 suppot, 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

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:

PH Singapore (for pulmonary hypertension patients and caregivers)
Singapore Association for Mental Health
Singapore Liver Cancer Support Group
Society for Continence (Singapore)
Silver Caregivers Co-operative

Hear from Other Caregivers

Many caregivers have come forward to share their experience and advice. You can learn tips from their sharing and if you are keen to share your experience too, do contact us at ccmh@aic.sg.

If you are a seasoned caregiver caring for a loved one with disability, you can share your knowledge and skills to new caregivers by being a Caregiver Mentor.