Singapore’s Caregiving Crisis: Balancing Work and Family Needs

In Singapore, many working caregivers are juggling multiple responsibilities, blurring the lines between professional obligations and family care. Ms. Jacqueline Ang, a 49-year-old technical manager, serves as a primary caregiver for her three daughters, including two twins with autism, and her elderly mother-in-law. This complex situation is increasingly common as Singaporean society faces the challenges of an ageing population and rising caregiving demands.

Every weekday, Ms. Ang begins her day at 5:30 a.m. to prepare her family for the day ahead. By 7:30 a.m., she travels from her home in Jurong West to Sengkang to drop off one of her twins at a day activity centre, as there are no available slots at closer facilities. After fulfilling her caregiving duties, she returns to her office in Clementi or works from home. Upon completing her workday, Ms. Ang’s responsibilities shift back to caregiving, which includes driving her daughters to Special Olympics training and attending to their daily needs. Despite having two domestic workers, the majority of these responsibilities rest on her shoulders.

Growing Need for Support

The situation became more challenging for Ms. Ang in September 2022 when her husband suffered a stroke, requiring extensive medical care and support. She expressed her feelings, stating, “Last year, after my husband’s stroke, I was shaking my head and saying, ‘Jialat’ (meaning ‘tough’ in Hokkien), I’m a caregiver for four (persons with) special needs.” As the country transitions towards becoming a “super-aged” society, many Singaporeans may find themselves in similar circumstances, forced to juggle work with increasing caregiving responsibilities.

According to a 2022 National Council of Social Service (NCSS) study, approximately 46.3 percent of caregivers in Singapore maintain full-time employment. Mr. Chris Lim, a communications manager at Caring SG, noted a significant number of their members are aged between 30 and 50, often balancing careers with caregiving for dependents with special needs and ageing parents. This trend appears to be increasingly prevalent, particularly among younger caregivers who are still in the early stages of their careers.

Dr. Millie Su Yun, a senior lecturer at the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS), highlighted that government initiatives are encouraging ageing in place, which often places caregiving responsibilities within families. “If you consider these macro, socio-economic factors, caregiving is going to be a very prevalent trend moving forward,” Dr. Su stated.

Challenges of Balancing Careers and Caregiving

For many, becoming a caregiver is an unplanned responsibility that emerges when family members face disabilities or long-term illnesses. Caregiving often interrupts traditional working hours, leading to fatigue that can impact job performance. Many caregivers report stepping back from their careers, shifting to part-time roles, or even changing industries due to these escalating demands.

Despite these challenges, many working caregivers emphasize the importance of maintaining employment for both financial stability and personal fulfillment. Ms. Ang credits the support from her workplace, which includes scheduling meetings later in the morning to accommodate her travel needs. “I told my boss, ‘Please don’t take away my projects. I can always work from the hospital,'” she recalled, demonstrating her determination to balance her dual roles.

Others, like Ms. Faiza Sanip, faced more drastic changes. After having to quit her management position to care for her son with schizophrenia, she experienced an identity crisis. “I was managing a department, but it was clear that as a caregiver, I could not handle that kind of stress anymore,” she reflected. She later found a supportive role at a charity, allowing her to balance her caregiving duties with her professional aspirations.

Mr. Anand Lal, who cares for his son with an intellectual disability, also made significant career adjustments. Leaving a peak project management role, he became a swim coach, balancing his passion for coaching children with special needs while working part-time. “It was scary for me, losing that breadwinner status,” he admitted, yet he finds his new role rewarding.

These caregivers represent a growing demographic that faces unique challenges in their dual roles. The significant emotional and physical burdens can lead to burnout, affecting their home life and overall well-being. Ms. Sanip experienced hospitalization due to stress and high blood pressure, prompting her to hire a domestic worker to alleviate some of her responsibilities.

Support Systems and Future Initiatives

The need for support is clear, yet many caregivers struggle to find adequate resources. Ms. Lee May Gee, CEO of SG Enable, emphasized that caregivers often require workplace accommodations and a “pro-family culture” to thrive. Nevertheless, some caregivers find themselves rethinking their career progression due to competing demands on their time.

Financially stable families may afford to hire additional help, but many do not have that option. This often leaves one parent as the primary caregiver, increasing financial pressure on the remaining sole breadwinner. As a result, caregivers frequently face the dual challenge of balancing financial constraints with the emotional toll of their responsibilities.

Some companies are beginning to recognize the importance of supporting their employees who are caregivers. For example, a major telecommunications firm in the United States offers caregiver leave for employees managing family medical needs. In Japan, financial services firms have categorized leave based on the “level of care” required, demonstrating innovative approaches to workplace support.

Dr. Su highlighted initiatives in other countries, such as Taiwan’s efforts to honor caregiving through stories and awards, suggesting that greater societal recognition of caregivers’ roles is essential.

To address the needs of caregivers, organizations like Mindfull Community and Caring SG are developing programs and support systems. In July 2023, the S$10 million Income OrangeAid Caregiver Support Accelerator Grant was launched to fund caregiver initiatives, emphasizing the importance of supporting those who provide care.

As Ms. Veenothani Virasamy, a caregiver for her mother with dementia, noted, “I hope that programs funded under the new grant will include subsidized elder-sitting services.” This reflects a widespread desire among caregivers for more flexible work options and support to manage their responsibilities.

Peer support networks have also emerged as vital lifelines for working caregivers. Mr. Lee, whose son has cerebral palsy, finds encouragement through Club Rainbow, a charity dedicated to supporting families with chronic illnesses. Similarly, Mr. Anand highlighted the importance of informal support groups, stating, “You’re not alone in this stress. Many of us have traveled this path in various ways.”

Ms. Ang, balancing her multiple caregiving roles, believes that being open about her responsibilities has helped her gain support from colleagues and friends. “I’m quite blessed and very positive,” she said, indicating that her resilience is bolstered by community connections. As more Singaporeans face the challenges of caregiving, a concerted effort from society, employers, and support organizations will be crucial in easing the burdens of these dedicated individuals.