Inside Singapore's Eldercare Shortage: Who Will Care For Our Old? | Talking Point | Full Episode

[@pensieri2596]

A very timely discussion about the ever increasing numbers of elderly people in our midst. Absolutely appreciate Diana Ser's professional approach to interviewing the different stakeholders and thereby raising greater awarensss among the viewers!

[@arcencielc2065]

Thank you very much to all those who are looking after the elderly. One day, all of us will get old too so please be nice to such workers.

[@tanjongmalim6869]

be nice to them just because we fear they might abuse us when we are old and need the care taker ? That should not be the way. The government will need to draft up legislation snd guidelines on silver industry. So that all parties are protected by law.

[@DestructiveMage]

I understand these eldercare staff members. Others know that my work as a healthcare worker is tiring but why I don't leave? It's because I love my job. I love helping others and making their life better.

[@typetype]

Here's the irony: if I work in eldercare, I will likely not have enough money for my desired retirement and medical care when I'm old.

[@D.2601]

😮😢

[@rayne5368]

Yes you are right. That is why the interviewee mentions you need to have the passion for it.

[@butterfly-pf8lj]

Its a shame thay people are offering cna jobs that are always having a shortage, over worked, dealing with feces and bodily fluids, and getting screamed at by nurses and they pay cna pennies on the dollors, why would somebody do it. Shame on you for saying you jave to have a heart for it. We do jave a heart for it. But for the hard work we do we deserve to get paid better. I het you will not have a shortage

[@bobafett5757]

*Well done CNA and Diana this is an insightful excellent informative and an eye opening episode*

[@JunixKuizon]

These workers are underpaid.

[@peacepoet1947]

Most people are under paid in their employment.

[@kengleetan63]

Some are way OVER PAID!😆😆😆

[@victorvictor4235]

Not only pay but support

[@Timholle]

If more locals are willing to do these kinds jobs, the demand & pay will naturally rise. But Singaporeans too pampered, they dont want. Then no choice employ foreigners (mostly from less privileged countries) where their expectations (salary wise) are lower hence driving the whole pay even lower. Even if you increase the salary, Singaporeans also don’t want or won’t last. It’s the mindset

[@JunixKuizon]

@@Timholle well, it means Sg is not getting the best applicants. Compared to pay in the US, UK and Au, Sg pay peanuts.

[@munster1404]

If the career pays as well or better than a software engineer (which is one of the more sought after jobs today), you will find a lot more candidates applying. Remember the population white paper which listed nursing as an unskilled job? And statement was only retracted after nurses protested. You guys talk about 3%, 5%, 7% salary increments as something to consider deeply. But 100% increments plus stock options to executives in corporate sector as no biggie.

[@MegaSportsluver]

Is the government paying software engineers or private tech companies? Of course I'm all for paying eldercare workers a decent salary, but we must also be prepared to pay higher taxes. GST increase to 8% everyone already kpkb And before you suggest reducing ministers' pay, how much would it translate to pay increase for these workers? I'm not from PAP and not defending them. But stop blaming the government for every issue there is man, here are so many considerations to account for.

[@tanjongmalim6869]

@@MegaSportsluver you are so spot on! 🎉

[@Timholle]

If more locals are willing to do these kinds jobs, the demand & pay will naturally rise. But Singaporeans too pampered, they dont want. Then no choice employ foreigners (mostly from less privileged countries) where their expectations (salary wise) are lower hence driving the whole pay even lower. Even if you increase the salary, Singaporeans also don’t want or won’t last. It’s the mindset

[@munster1404]

@@Timholle The demand is high right now, but salary is low. Also it doesn’t work to have more locals working to raise the salary bracket. The wage MUST be aggressively raised first plus a lot of benefits to attract people.

[@Timholle]

@@munster1404 the $$ gotta come somewhere. We’ll have to pay more taxes. But even if salary is high, trust me pampered Singaporeans also don’t want or won’t last long. It’s the mindset

[@ondradeese4017]

This discussion is really good. I hope you get an award because we as people are good at talking about what we don't know and haven't experienced. I wish others especially, spouses and partner, could trade places for one day with love ones in this field.

[@liewskincare]

Respect to every caretaker, it is a overwhelming, tiring, hard and underpaid job! I could never do that. If I'm lucky and there are still workers there, I will end up I'm the retirement center. If I would ever have kids, I will never expect them to take care of me.

[@D.2601]

What’s a retirement center & who takes care of the elderly there I mean who pays for the caretakers there?

[@D.2601]

I’m asking cuz I’m from India…here post retirement ur kids r ur retirement plan..as there’s no social security so the day to retire u stop earning…u could end up on the streets starving

[@Emp_Ress1415]

I'm a child care teacher, foreigner, and I can relate with these care staff. Government should recall and revise their ratio. Taking care of adults are somehow same with managing children. Increase our salary wether private company or not should get paid equally.

[@diva555sg]

To the govt, media, eldercare service provider: Shortfall for eldercare have a national service to care for the elderly as a community service. It educate, teach, bring awareness & respect for the elderly who could no longer care for themselves hence you built a cohesive, caring & resilient society so when your turn comes young ppl would grow old & can come forward to train & provide feedback, support so burn out is reduce & can be eradicated as they don't have to do it alone!

[@stellagreen1816]

Hats off to all care workers You need to have empathy to do it

[@bryanbambao]

My sister works in a homecare in singapore before, they are under paid and over work…. now she works in Germany…..

[@MySherline]

Thank you for this insights into ageing care and also brings out the passions of individual to be able to care for others. This is certainly a growing concerns for singapore. We should all.plan for our sliver years to.come too..

[@Edwincont]

Coming to Singapore I’ve experienced kindness from individuals, that’s a nice impression to me.

[@Edwincont]

Can we be friends Sherline ?

[@daddyraffles7083]

Maybe income tax exemption is solution for to attract a local workers as nursing homes caregivers? Caregivers in weekends? Complete a monthly hours for tax exemption?

[@bobafett5757]

*Down the road as ageing population growing rapidly and considering the drastic effect of the dwindling of healthcare workers maybe Euthanasia can be considered as a last resort*

[@D.2601]

They r already on it like engineering a virus that specifically targets & wipes out the non productive…

[@rayne5368]

Singapore is a pro-life country. This will never happen. That is why government is encouraging everyone to live long, with better health span. You need to remain healthy till old, and if possible, still be able to work. Always look on the bright side.

[@missjaniceng1434]

Many elderly care can have maids look after elderly at their own homes . More quality care because elderly have individual needs eg their own favourite food n own dietry requirements etc The family of elderly can also visit their parents anytime or in some cases elderly can stay with their own children n have a maid taking care of their parents n enjoy fellowship of their parents

[@lotus108able]

Why is it that when it comes to increasing pay for essential/healthcare workers/NSmen -it’s always met with hesitation BUT for elite politicians it’s a certain or else 😅

[@Timholle]

Your opposition idols agree & support the salaries

[@vincestone5083]

Ideally robots armed with AI should be used to care for the elderly, especially when heavy lifting is required.

[@lotus108able]

Likewise do away with part-time mayors/80+ MPs and channel state re$ources into these areas of needs

[@Feeding-Stray-Cats]

Statistics shows that all old people are lucky if they and their family are Muslims, it's in their scripture to be caring & merciful towards their old parents, the deen (Islam teaching) brings peace and safety physically, mentally & spiritually Alhamdulillah!

[@vincestone5083]

There is one more way of handling old age where the quality of life is gone. And this is by way of voluntary euthanasia. More and more Westerners are adopting this technique rather than leaving themselves at the "tender" mercy of others!

[@leecheehao8858]

Why aren't the eldercare staff paid a decent median salary? Give the locals a minimum of 5k. It's just a simple case of government not willing to fund a lot more and agencies not willing to reduce their profit.

[@arcencielc2065]

Err... then the fees charged will be much higher. If we want the govt to fund more, are we willing to pay much higher taxes? For ex, in Europe, pay an income tax as high as 60%, and a VAT of 20% and higher. Willing to pay????

[@lecherhao86]

​​​​​​@@arcencielc2065 if pay is low, and no one does the job, who's going to take care of you when you are old/sick/ injured? How about people share why pilot, doctor, teachers deserve 5k and above, but not for the nursing and eldercare staff? Are the tasks these workers doing less important than those performed by the insurance agent, property agent and accountant?

[@christinexuelian]

Government use pretty words and make it seems like they did a lot. I am local allied healthcare worker, and I can honestly tell you.... after the so called progressive wage increment or whatever they named that.... my salary saw a jump but was still less than half the amount you stated.

[@lecherhao86]

@@christinexuelian it's a very sad situation out there. Something's just wrong with our society. We have people who earn hundreds of thousands and no one question whether they are worth that money. And yet when the workers/ people on the ground who do the hard work request for a decent median pay, they get backlash and all sorts of nonsense excuse. To put it simply, there are segments in the society who just want others to be living a much poorer lives than them. They are just deliberately suppressing the pay of manual labour so that they are forever holding the bargaining chips.

[@munster1404]

Because employers would protest over extra manpower cost. Callous to say but SG can only survive if essential services are performed as cheaply as possible. While other white collar careers perceived as high value for example corporate executives, programmers, coders, IT are paid highly. You can see the difference in salary between blue collar vs white collar. Salaries in healthcare will only climb as much before the users themselves apply public pressure to curtail it. And then Govt will open flood gates for cheaper healthcare workers from 3rd world nations to suppress the wage.

[@nicklee7002]

Taking care of helpless elderly should be part of National Service; A national duty for those youngsters.

[@justnow5809]

If every family can take care of their elderly, half the problem is solved, is it not?

[@nicklee7002]

@@justnow5809 Most families do actually take care of their elderly; sending them to old folks home is also a form of taking care. Likewise most children today grow up at childcare, student care centres, under maid care or grandparents care.

[@kengleetan63]

​@@justnow5809...family already stretch to make ends meet how to 'take care' of their elderly? Aged homes min cost more than $3k per mth!

[@liewskincare]

In a perfect world. Some people won't take care of their parents due to physical and/or mental abuse caused by the parents. We should not expect that everyone can or would take care of parents.

[@justnow5809]

@@liewskincare Titan for tat, life shouldn't be like that...

[@iammailabs4771]

I want to work as a caregiver in Singapore I'm currently working as a caregiver here in Taiwan.

[@mohmeegaik6686]

At 4.34 being rolled to being bathed, is so troubling. With good intention, but somehow the patient looks so scrawny ...

[@himmelblau23]

I hope to be dead long before I reach that condition.

[@melTTPD]

I think more eldercare homes need to recruit more caregivers

[@jejewa2763]

This is a problem in Western countries due to the individualistic attitude of people and young couple and the trend of expectation that the government is there to provide care....

[@768jefiline7]

we are paid 5-6k a month, when wanting to switch to healthcare with a 2k salary? Is 3.5k ridiculous? We are experience and loving, why?

[@crystalleezim]

Tough job, low pay. Solution - find people with a passion for elderly. Is this fair to those people? One will not be able to provide adequately for one’s family with a $2k salary. 😢

[@eleutriagalo886]

More post about Elderlycare

[@anniepah2893]

This video need to translate in various language to reach out to everyone(young-middle-older)

[@hasifmail91]

Increase the pay by much more,I'm sure you will retain staff,it's a simple solution, U ask them to work and dont pay more with the high workload ?sometimes double the workload. Is that even fair?

[@mtloke5732]

"Silver tsunami" in a decade's time

[@rayne5368]

It is going to be tough.

[@vannix]

The lady is talking from her ivory tower. No disrespect but sadly a reality

[@ssuwandi3240]

I would think of a planned execution I wouldn't consider living just for the illusion of "long age".

[@MegaSportsluver]

You mean euthanasia in Switzerland?

[@carlanthony1724]

I need help.im 31 and local but no one is willing to hire me.

[@MrNorman26]

I want to join how

[@Confidence_and_Fitness]

all fear the PAP unforeseen GST increase. all will be homless & collect cardboard.

[@EDRALYNmangkey]

How much minimum salary of caregiver their at Singapore

[@andresloft]

Money, if not, the Singapore government, just go complain

[@mariantia926]

Do you what is the morale of the story for humanity to learn from this scenario????

[@saranisarani1287]

I am Singapore work in house keeping I want to elder course joining how to apply please help me

[@Cathelyndomingo]

How apply I want jod care giver

[@antaeusguy]

Can! If indo/pinoy/bangla/india maids imported from overseas not enough, can always use AI robots to take care of the aging population! Now 2024 everything is AI mah... who knows like 50 years time everything is automated... i would say very little amount of singaporeans really want to do this kind of job... it will forever be shortages. thing is, being taken care by foreign workers or AI robots is going to be a lonely experience la... and that's why if want to take care by local professionally trained singaporeans, is going to cost your entire life savings in 50 years time.....

[@estherho9453]

just get married❤❤❤❤

[@jrukawa11]

Can interview uncle Teo Ser Luck

[@misterbig9025]

Just hire overseas workers from Sri Lanka!

[@MELODYKEIKOCHUALESHUANTJC]

6:01

[@ks--2755]

Good luck singaporeans, the pap party holding all the money, they will be able to employ a lot of caregivers..

[@Timholle]

Becus pampered & privileged people like you who only knows how to run your mouth don’t want to work these kinda jobs mah. Then complain when govt employ foreigners for what? Don’t worry, we’ll be in good luck in their hands. As we’ve been for 63years

[@vandarkholme7759]

childless should be deprioritize when receiving elder care

[@D.2601]

I’m from India, being no.1 in population all my life I have seen the west frowning upon us & as a millennial suffered a lot due to overpopulation, the trend of having one-no child has picked up here in cities now among youngsters but ur comment is my fear…it feels criminal to bring in a child in this world as ur retirement plan/expect them to tc of u.. but then I feel when we grow old & number of elderly wl grow as compared to fewer babies that will be born they wil think the same as u & the couples with single child could hate childfree couples.

[@rayne5368]

Everyone is equal in this world. Childless if do not plan finance well, will be poorer with no one to take care in future. In fact, I think childless should be given greater attention. Singapore has plenty of people who are childless. It is in the majority.

[@vandarkholme7759]

@@rayne5368 wrong we have a healthcare shortage . to motivated the children of parents who had kids. their care must be prioritise so they focus on their career and productivity doing more for society