Caregivers need more support. We owe it to them

Steps like the enhanced Home Caregiving Grant offer some relief, but many caregivers are struggling and we, as a nation, should ease their load.

- Nur Diyana Azman and Atiqah Lee

Linda (not her real name) wakes up before dawn to help her 82-year-old mother, Madam Toh, get out of bed, shower and dress. Breakfast is a tedious process—slicing food into smaller pieces to prevent choking and ensuring her mother takes five different medications in the correct order and dosage.

The 58-year-old, who left a full-time career to care for her mother, barely has time to rest before heading to work. Her new job comes with less demanding hours but also less pay.

It's hard for her to rest, even on days when she is not working. For the past 10 years, since Madam Toh suffered a stroke and a fall, Linda's hours have been filled with tasks, errands and constant worrying. Is Mum comfortable? Is she in pain? What does Mum need?

Linda is exhausted but cannot sleep. She loves her mother, but love neither pays her bills nor provides the extra help she needs. How much longer can she hold up?

Linda's struggles highlight that caregiving is not just emotionally and physically draining—it is also financially demanding. She considered hiring a migrant domestic worker. For about $850 a month, she could get live-in help and possibly return to full-time work.

But she shelved the idea: it would be difficult for a stranger to understand her mother's temperament and needs. Instead, she relies on a mix of community-based care services, including home nursing and therapy. Even with subsidies, she must dip into her savings.

MORE FINANCIAL SUPPORT
The recent announcement of an enhanced Home Caregiving Grant (HCG) should offer some relief. From April 2026, eligible caregivers who provide care to family members who permanently require some assistance with at least three of the six Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), will receive $600 per month—an increase from the current $400. The qualifying per capita household income threshold will also rise from $3,600 to $4,800, allowing more families to benefit.

But is this enough?