Fostering Understanding: Building Bridges Between Generations

Partnerships are crucial for fostering growth and achieving shared goals effectively.

Caregivers have been a recurring topic of discussion across different contexts, although the focus and intensity of these discussions can vary widely.

In 2022, a group of young medical students from NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine started ‘Project Empower’ to raise awareness about caregiver burnout, with the main intent of providing resources to support both current and prospective caregivers.

We spoke with Jing Wen and Zong Rui, members of the Project Empower committee, to learn more about this year’s Caregiver Experiential Camp.

“This year’s three-day Caregiver Experiential Camp welcomed 64 participants from various institutions. In addition to providing a diverse and enriching experience, participants who are caregivers had the opportunity to share their experiences, access resources and receive peer support,” shared Jing Wen.

She emphasised the significance of educating youth on the challenges and resources required for an ageing population, encouraging them to envision their future roles in caring for elderly family members. “It may not be something that the participants, especially the youth, envision themselves having to fulfil the caregiver role for elders in their family now, but we hope to keep them informed about available resources and provide opportunities for them to interact with elders in the community.”

“We are glad that our participants had the invaluable experience of spending time with the elders at St Luke’s ElderCare centres. They have expressed gaining insightful perspectives on elder care, enriching their understanding and interactions with the elders in the community,” shared Zong Rui.

He added that, “Since our establishment two years ago, certain initiatives have developed in response to changing needs. In our upcoming plans, we aim to host a public exhibition for caregivers, showcasing various resources available for their interaction and benefit.”

“Our long-term goal is to bridge the gap between caregivers and existing resources and equip people with the mental readiness required for future caregiving roles.”

It was an awesome and rewarding experience!

Rajveer, a student at St Andrew’s Junior College, participated in this camp as he was keen to learn more about being a caregiver.

“Watching my mother and aunt handle caregiving duties for my hospitalised grandmother, I saw them struggle with burnout and found it challenging to fully support them,” Rajveer reflects. “Participating in the Caregiver Experiential Camp has provided me with insights and practical experience in caregiving complexities. Now, I can understand and support them better, feeling more prepared for the challenges ahead.”

Like many newcomers to the elder care sector, Rajveer initially felt intimidated upon entering the senior care centre and seeing the room filled with elders.

“While I was excited about the opportunity to interact with them, I also felt apprehensive about how to initiate conversations. It’s different from engaging with our own grandparents, whom we know well. However, I knew I had to step out of my comfort zone,” he shared. Rajveer’s anxiety eased when some of the elders smiled and waved back at him. “They can actually be quite friendly,” he realised.

Rajveer emphasised the importance of elders staying socially engaged through stimulating activities, noting that neglecting this could significantly impact their overall quality of life. “I’ve learned a lot about how I can better engage with elders from the time spent with them. Based on this experience, I will organise intentional outings or art activities with my paternal grandparents to foster quality time together.”

“The activities to engage with the elders do not need to be complex. For anyone new to engaging with elders for the first time, patience and consistent encouragement during your interactions are key,” smiled Rajveer.