Caring and Growing with Caregivers at the National CARECarnival and Conference

8 November 2023 – The first ever National CARECarnival and Conference kicked off today, with the CAREConference and the launch of new resources to better support caregivers. This will be followed by three events held across the month in heartland neighbourhoods, to raise awareness of support available for caregivers and their care recipients.

National CAREConference

The National CAREConference was attended by over 400 care professionals from the health and social service sectors, caregiver advocates and caregivers. The conference aims to raise awareness on the need for an integrated ecosystem of caregiver support, equip participants with resources and information on caregiving initiatives, and share best practices from both local and international contexts.

Mdm Rahayu Mahzam, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Health, delivered the opening address at the virtual conference.

Themed “Coming Together to Build a Strong Caregiving Community”, the conference focuses on how a family-centric approach can be taken toward caregiving, and the important role of family caregivers. Through a keynote presentation, a panel discussion with caregivers, and four breakout sessions hosted by academics and experienced social sector professionals, it offers a platform to learn and discuss how holistic support can be provided for caregivers and their care recipients.

• Learning Guidebook (for Caregivers) (by AIC and SG Enable)
  
  • This guidebook is developed to complement the caregivers’ learning journey. The guidebook offers tips on necessary knowledge and skills to care for seniors, persons living with mental health conditions, and persons with disabilities.
  • It features the journey of family caregivers caring for their loved ones at home, and highlights the essential skills needed to better support the care for themselves and their loved ones.
  • To relate to caregivers, the guidebook features examples of common situations faced by caregivers, followed by the relevant resources available for them to tap on to care for their loved ones. For example, applying for the Caregivers Training Grant (CTG) to attend caregivers training.
  • This guidebook can be found on www.for.sg/cg-learning-guidebook, a resource page for caregiving resources and initiatives.
• Bite-sized infographics and video series on caregiving (by AIC and SG Enable)
  
  • The resources are published on all organisations’ websites. They address common caregiving challenges such as burnout and self-care. They also encourage caregivers to learn continuously, and leverage formal and informal support.
  • The video series aims to help caregivers through the stories of two families navigating their respective caregiving journeys and supporting one another through the process.
  • The resources are available on  www.weseeyoucare.sg.
• Caregiver Learning Roadmap (by SG Enable)
  
  • It comprises 28 skills and covers five caregiving areas, such as Planning for Care, and Supporting Your Loved One Through Transitions, which contains information on future care planning and the post-school pathways available.
  • The Caregiver Learning Roadmap is available on the Enabling Guide website and functions as a companion to caregivers of persons with disabilities, enabling them to identify and obtain the knowledge and skills needed at different stages of their caregiving journey.
  • The Caregiver Learning Roadmap is aligned with Recommendation 13 of the Enabling Masterplan 2030, which focuses on supporting caregivers in planning for the future.
  • The Enabling Guide is SG Enable’s first-stop resource portal for persons with disabilities and their caregivers.
  • The resources may be found on www.enablingguide.sg/caregiver-learning-roadmap

1. CARECarnival at Enabling Village
Date: 11 November 2023
Time: 9am to 5pm
Guest-of-Honour: Mr Desmond Lee, Minister for National Development and Minister In-Charge of Social Services Integration