White Paper on Singapore Women’s Development: Rahayu Mahzam on support for caregivers of seniors

Women continue to face challenges as they seek to pursue their aspirations and make unencumbered choices in life. Two such challenges are coping with caregiving duties and finding a safe digital space, said Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Communications and Information Rahayu Mahzam. She said support for caregivers of seniors will be strengthened. The Ministry of Health (MOH) will review respite care to better meet caregivers’ needs, and ensure that it is more accessible and affordable. MOH will also enhance the care ecosystem, including for seniors at home so that caregivers can look after them in the community. Ms Rahayu also said digitalisation has benefitted many women by opening up employment opportunities and helping them better manage responsibilities at home and at work. At the same time, it exposes them to online harms. She said codes of practice to improve online safety are being developed and will require ongoing research amid the fast-evolving digital landscape.