Family most important form of care to seniors

I refer to the letter “Address the needs of all in caregiving” (Jan 23) from Ms Goh Li Sian of the Association of Women for Action and Research. I agree we should not rely on volunteering as a primary source of eldercare.

As a one-time volunteer in eldercare in the Dakota Crescent area, I observed that the senior citizens are often reduced from repositories of wisdom, culture and experience to down-and-outs in need of handouts, social events and regular checks by social workers. Through my conversations with them, I came to realise how important family presence is to seniors. One can see that the presence of family members improves their emotional health in a way that no amount of professional caregiving can.

Instead of seeing eldercare as being of economic value, I believe that we can and should fulfil our responsibilities to our ageing parents. These are qualities that cannot be encouraged simply through regulation. And I do not think that lowering the cost of eldercare and outsourcing the responsibility provides a meaningful solution.

I suggest building on the existing volunteer network described in the commentary “More work needed to get more volunteers to help seniors” (Jan 16). Voluntary welfare organisations and volunteers could reach out to family members of elders to raise awareness on their state of health and discuss how the family can get involved in caregiving.

Community mediation can also be provided where family conflicts are the root of decisions to live separately. Even facilitating meetings between elderly siblings can do much good. By interacting with relevant parties, we can create a self-regulating, compassion-based framework, where families’ neglect of their seniors results in a loss of reputation.

As we mark Singapore’s 50th birthday, this approach could send an powerful message to future generations: That care for elderly family members is not only right, but desirable. It may sound idealistic, but let us not shun responsibility for want of trying.