The ageing of the population, the shrinking of family sizes and the trend of people getting chronic diseases at a younger age mean that a growing number of young people are saddled with the heavy responsibility of taking care of their parents while they are still studying or starting out in their careers.
There is no official data on the number of young caregivers here, but more are seeking help. According to the Agency for Integrated Care which oversees the Caregivers Training Grant, 465 caregivers below 35 tapped the grant in 2017, up from 287 in 2013. This grant helps caregivers defray the cost of attending training to acquire the expertise needed to look after loved ones with disabilities.
Voluntary welfare organisations are also seeing significant numbers of young people assuming the role of caregivers.
Mr Jason Foo, chief executive of Alzheimer’s Disease Association, estimates that each year, up to 200 young caregivers are thrust into the role, as people are getting dementia earlier. The association’s staff have seen caregivers as young as 12.
Caregivers are getting younger as patients get younger, said Mr Foo.
Mr Abhimanyau Pal, executive director of SPD, a charity that helps persons with disabilities, said financial aid and incentives for young caregivers, especially those unable to work due to caregiving responsibilities, may ease their hardship.
Counsellors say young caregivers face different challenges from those faced by their older counterparts, who care for their spouses or siblings when they are well established in their careers or well into retirement years.
Said Mr Kelvin Lee, manager at Touch Caregivers Support: “Many young caregivers may have the physical capacity to provide care, but their lack of experience and access to resources may be a source of strain and stress.”
Ms Judy Koh, programme manager at Caregivers Alliance Limited (CAL), which provides support services for caregivers, said: “Young caregivers may feel overwhelmed because they are thrust into caregiving when they are just finding their own footing in life. Even as they prepare for adulthood, they also may not have access to the parental guidance that they need.”
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Source: The Straits Times, 6 May 2018