Intellectually disabled, caregivers get more support with new centres

SINGAPORE —  More support is at hand for the intellectually disabled and their caregivers following the official opening of two centres at Kembangan-Chai Chee Community Hub.

The Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (MINDS) today (Sept 18) launched its first Caregivers Support Service Centre (CSSC), along with its fifth day activity centre in a two-storey building at the hub.

Minister for Social and Family Development Tan Chuan-Jin, who was at the opening of the centres, said: “I would like to acknowledge all caregivers for their tireless efforts and dedication.

“Although the journey is challenging, MSF (Ministry of Social and Family Development) will continue to work with you and other partners to better support you in every step of the way.”

MINDS, which is currently serving 2,300 clients with intellectual disabilities, hopes that the CSSC will be able to help and empower caregivers through various programmes that will address their caregiving, financial, socio-emotional and training needs. Mr Chua Soon Lye, whose 23-year-old son is attending the newly-opened day activity centre, is also involved in the movement’s Caregivers Support Services.

Before the CSSC’s opening, Mr Chua, 54, and several other caregivers would hold informal meetings once every few months. “With this CSSC, we (will be) rolling out a number of programmes and courses for caregivers. We hope that more caregivers can join us to network, and share insights and difficulties (so we can) take care of our children better,” he said.

MINDS hopes to serve 2,000 caregivers in the CSSC over the next few years. Meanwhile, its fifth day activity centre — known as Eunos Training & Development Centre (ETDC) —will help MINDS’ school graduates, aged 18 and above, to develop daily living skills, such as personal grooming, hygiene and social skills.

Mr Liew Chong Pow, 60, who is taking care of his 31-year-old son Jonathan said the services provided by ETDC have helped eased the tremendous stress faced by his family.

Previously, apart from taking care of Jonathan, Mr Liew also had to look after his wife, who had a stroke, and his mother, who has dementia.

Noting the improvements in his son, Mr Liew said: “Initially, Jonathan was shouting and whining at home and he was a very untidy person. But after he attended the day activity centre, I was told that he followed instructions very easily, said ‘thank you’ (more often), and even helped the people in the centre.”

These days, while Jonathan is at the ETDC from 9am to 5.30pm on weekdays, Mr Liew is able to devote his time to his wife and mother.

The ETDC willl be able to serve up to 100 clients, twice as many clients in each of MINDS’ existing four activity centres. The multi-facility building at the Hub also houses the office of MINDS’ home-based care services.

MINDS’ president Jeffrey Tan said the sixth day activity centre will open in Jurong East in 2016, while the seventh centre will open in Clementi in 2017.