The Role Of GPs In Supporting Caregivers Of Persons With Dementia In Singapore

Dennis Seow Chuen Chai Senior Consultant Department of Geriatric Medicine Singapore General Hospital MENTAL HEALTH 2021 UPDATE https://doi.org/10.33591/sfp.47.4.u6 UNIT NO. 6 THE ROLE OF GPS IN SUPPORTING CAREGIVERS OF PERSONS WITH DEMENTIA IN SINGAPORE Dr Dennis Seow Chuen Chai, Dr Philip Yap Lin Kiat Caregiver interventions have been shown to reduce caregiver depression, the burden of care, and improve their health and quality of life. Caregiver support also benefits the person with dementia (PWD). It is important to recognise that caregivers need caring too. Caregivers of PWD are usually middle-aged daughters and sons followed by spouses. Foreign domestic helpers also play a pivotal role in Singapore. Stressors arising from caregiving change at different stages of the disease. As the disease progresses into the advanced stages, stress from dealing with behavioural problems can lessen as the burden from coping with physical and functional impairments increases. For this reason, caregiver interventions should be stage appropriate. There is a need to create a positive experience in the GP consultation with the important elements of early diagnosis, providing stage specific information and interventions, and up-to-date information on dementia resources available in the community. The role of the GP in supporting the caregiver is more important than ever amid the current COVID-19 pandemic.