More hospitals letting caregivers stay overnight

Allowing caregivers to participate in patient care improves outcomes and builds confidence

- Akshita Nanda Correspondent

After her husband had a stroke on Sept 22, Madam Ismiati Yahya, 56, slept next to his hospital bed for about seven weeks until he was discharged on Nov 7. She left his side only to buy food for herself or to bathe in an assigned shower cubicle near his ward.

The housewife was at her husband’s side as he recovered, thanks to a two-year-old programme at Ng Teng Fong General Hospital and Jurong Community Hospital.

Partner To Care helps caregivers learn to support patients who need extended care at home. More than 4,000 caregivers have been trained under it since 2023.

Madam Ismiati learnt from nurses how to give her husband a sponge bath and feed him thickened fluids, as recommended for patients with swallowing difficulties or dysphagia. She watched over his physiotherapy and speech therapy as well.

Mr Abdul Hassan Mohamed Yu-sof, 63, says having his wife nearby was reassuring when he could barely move or speak. "I felt very happy that someone I could trust was with me," says the trailer driver.

It also motivated him to try harder with rehabilitation exercises. "She tortures me," he jokes, smiling at her.

Over the past five years, more hospitals in Singapore have been allowing caregivers of hospitalised adults to stay overnight in the wards. They include Alexandra Hospital, Jurong Community Hospital, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Mount Elizabeth Hospital, Ng Teng Fong General Hospital and Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

These hospitals, along with Yishun Community Hospital, also allow caregivers to participate in patient care in the wards once the patient is stable. Nurses and doctors say this improves patient outcomes and builds confidence in caregivers.

Mr Abdul Hassan was able to sit in a geriatric chair and use a wheelchair when he was discharged from Jurong Community Hospital.