Mainly due to resource constraints, their services are routine and not personalized.
Most nursing homes have little sense of home and are mostly seen as healthcare assembly lines, failing to attract Singaporean seniors who prefer to stay at home and live independently.
“Customized services to meet residents’ psychosocial needs are limited,” said Phyllis Tan, director of nursing at Allium Care Suites. Asian Healthcare. “Due to resource constraints, care is often routinized and lacks a person-centred approach.”
One-fifth of Singapore’s population is aged 65 and above, and this is expected to increase to 24.1% by 2030, according to the National Population and Talent Department. A study by the Singapore Management University found that eight out of 10 Singaporean seniors prefer to stay at home as they age.
“As our population ages, it is critical to ensure this option (nursing homes) is safe and sustainable through comprehensive resources and support systems,” Tam said.
Vincent Wong, co-founder of Anglo Caregivers, said the industry should also address gaps in caregiver training, burnout and communication barriers as more elderly Singaporeans prefer to stay at home.
He added that family caregivers, who typically only have one or two days off per month, often suffer from physical and emotional burnout.
“A common condition is insufficient sleep or rest,” Huang said. “Compared with part-time nannies, live-in nannies must stay with the elderly day and night.” He pointed out
Huang noted that some domestic workers and caregivers lack the skills and patience to deal with elderly patients. “Some of the issues we often hear include current aides not being up to the task despite multiple training sessions with nurses and physiotherapists in the hospital.”
“Our view is that training is important,” he said. “However, because care is demanding and complex, sometimes even with training, it may not be feasible.”
Huang said Anglo Caregivers has begun recruiting experienced foreign home care workers, especially those who can speak Mandarin or English. “It’s a lot easier than training someone with no experience.”
Chia said local industry could draw inspiration from overseas best practice to facilitate discussions between carers and older people and improve services.
On the other hand, providing emotional support to older adults can be more complex. “Some people may need it immediately, while others may seek it throughout their care journey,” she said.
“Singapore has organizations that specialize in this,” said Xie. “The key now is to increase awareness of the resources that are available.”
Technology comes to the rescue
Alphind Healthcare chief executive EZ Bala said in a video interview that early adoption of new technology has resulted in many of the city-state’s assisted living facilities addressing individual issues rather than the overall issue of aged care.
“For example, electronic health records are designed for interim care,” he said. “This results in limited understanding of the patient’s health status.”
While the city-state is known for its coordinated transitions between hospitals and home care services, Barra said electronic health records do not contain information about diet, environment and personal lifestyle. “We need to integrate additional information from other systems.”
Despite the fragmented environment of aged care facilities, Barra envisions the emergence of a seamless platform that can incorporate personalized solutions. “This integration can be driven by government regulations and standardization of how different systems communicate with each other.”
He pointed to the need for 24/7 surveillance and privacy solutions to track people even while they sleep. “Empowering the workforce and providing them with more efficient, user-friendly workflows will be the first step in improving the care system.”
Tan cited the use of wearable health devices and robots, including emotional support companions and automated medication dispensers. “This will allow for timely intervention while maintaining the independence of older adults.”
Tan, who has 20 years’ experience as a nurse practitioner, said aging in place (remaining in a home of one’s choice for as long as possible) has its benefits, including allowing seniors to maintain daily routines and social connections while reducing isolation to improve their overall well-being. health level.
Nursing directors say hospitals play a key role in ensuring older people receive continued care at home. “This can be achieved by having a strong discharge planning process to develop a clear plan for follow-up care, or post-discharge support such as home visits or regular check-ups.”
Janice Chia, founder of Aging Asia Pte Ltd, said hospitals can also invest in telemedicine services and remote monitoring, and share medical information with primary care providers and community care teams.
Barra said governments and the private sector should work together to develop technologies that make health care affordable and ensure people can live happy, healthy lives “all in one place.”
“In this ecosystem, all participants are able to communicate and share information, ensuring complete and seamless data,” he added.
Chia also advocates the use of technology. “We can provide more chat lines for caregivers so they can connect and share experiences.”
But artificial intelligence (AI)-driven solutions should consider the real-world needs of caregivers and patients. “Successful collaborations include artificial intelligence-driven fall detection systems and the use of predictive analytics to manage chronic conditions in older adults.”
“Artificial intelligence should augment human care, not replace it,” Chia added.
