The Future of Care: Is Singapore Ready for the Growing Demand for Senior Care?

By 2030, Singapore will face a silver tsunami with a risk of immense pressure being placed on a care workforce already stretched to its limits. The Ministry of Health had projected that one in four Singaporeans will be over 65 years old by then. As the population of seniors surges, the demand for specialised care will outstrip the current workforce's ability to meet it, threatening to overwhelm our current capacity. The potential consequences may be sobering: lower-quality care, increased healthcare costs, and a healthcare system struggling to keep up with the needs of an ageing population. 

As the global population ages rapidly, the demand for care services is escalating worldwide. According to the International Labour Organisation, an estimated 269 million new jobs in the care sector will be needed by 2030. This need is particularly acute in Singapore with demographic change, which presents unique challenges for the care workforce.

The Pressure on Our Care Workforce

Several factors contribute to the challenges faced by the care workforce. While current training programmes tend to focus on acute care, there is room for further emphasis on specialised training to better equip the workforce and caregivers to support preventive care. Efforts to address hiring difficulties and enhance support systems, including mental health support and career development opportunities for the workforce, could help attract and retain talent in the sector.

Moreover, as demand for care work continues to outstrip the pace of hiring in the sector, existing employees may be stretched to meet the increased demand for services. This, unfortunately, leads to greater likelihood of burnout and reduction of opportunities for training & development. If not addressed, these challenges can compound and lead to reduced quality of care, increased strain on acute health institutions, and ultimately, wider social and economic consequences.

Supporting the Care Workforce

To address these challenges, several key strategies are crucial:

• Tailored Training: Focused training on critical skills like mobility assistance and communication can be provided through collaborations between industry and Continuing Education and Training (CET) providers. Partnerships with organisations like Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital, Allkin Singapore, and Temasek Polytechnic can provide real-world learning opportunities.

• Clear Career Pathways and Competitive Wages: Establishing clear career pathways, mentorship programs, and competitive wages for specialised skills can attract and retain talent. Initiatives like the Agency for Integrated Care's job redesign efforts aim to uplift care roles and offer attractive salaries and career progression.

• Continuous Education: Encouraging continuous education through programs like SkillsFuture can support mid-career professionals transitioning into caregiving roles. Examples like Calvin Chew's, an adult learner, who successfully transitioned into a care career after completing his Specialist Diploma in Gerontology. He moved from a senior management role to working with adults and seniors with intellectual disabilities, exemplifying the impact of such programmes. 

• Proactive Health Initiatives: National initiatives like Age Well SG and Healthier SG emphasise preventive strategies and shifting care from hospitals to community settings. Increasing the number of Active Ageing Centres can enhance access to vital resources for seniors.

• Leveraging Technology: Assistive technologies and telemedicine can improve care delivery. For instance, the Lions Befrienders Service Association uses AI to assess seniors' emotional needs.

The silver lining is that with the right investments, collective effort and a culture of compassion and respect for care workers, we will not only overcome challenges but also enhance the quality of care, creating a more sustainable and resilient care system for the growing needs of tomorrow.

^{(This op-ed piece was published by LianHe Zaobao on 5th December 2024, under the 'General' section, on Page 21.)}

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