The Ministry of Health (MOH) said that a study reported a stark increase in feelings of isolation for older Singaporeans during the pandemic, especially for those living alone, and added that social isolation is often associated with negative mental health outcomes.
“In recent years, we’ve seen an increase in seniors and caregivers requesting mental health support,” said Mr Tan Peng Heng, head of the Bishan-Toa Payoh SGO satellite office.
SGO is the outreach arm of the Agency for Integrated Care, which has 20 offices across Singapore to look out for seniors and connect them with the right information and care services.
“Mental health problems already exist but with awareness and house visits, we see and detect more cases, then we start referring them to support groups and partners,” Mr Tan said.
“We’re talking long term because mental health issues are not short term, they are long term. Some could be quite mild, if you can intervene to help them recover,” he said. “But those that are more serious, and need long term care, the right support is quite important moving forward.”
HELP ALSO AVAILABLE FOR CAREGIVERS
Along with patient care, the TTSH team also monitors if caregivers are coping well or experiencing burnout.
“Caregivers do feel the stress of having to manage patients or elderlies, sometimes even to the extent of having depression,” said Dr Chan. “So our team will try to advise the caregivers, and if necessary… bring the caregivers to the hospital for consultation or refer them to one of our primary care partners.”
Community nurses receive training every three months to refresh their skills in handling psychiatric patients with an aim to better integrate care. They also consistently enhance their skills in assessing mental health conditions, and guiding caregivers such as Mdm Lu.
“I will update (my mother’s) condition to the nurse. And then the nurse will feedback to the doctor. And also give me some advice. She’s more calm now and not so easily agitated, and it’s more easy to communicate with her,” Mdm Lu said.