Caregivers Registry- Raymond writes 2 letters to the press

Yesterday's The New Paper reported 2 deaths in Sengkang- one a wheelchair-bound 56 woman who was found hanged and the other her elder son, 31, who was mentally disabled. Such tragedies will continue if proactive measures are not put in place to save and reclaim lives.


Here are my 2 letters:


(1) Raymond's letter to The New Paper: Set up registry for caregivers


This letter was published in The New Paper on Friday11th March 2011- page 22.

Recently Nominated MP Laurence Wee suggested that the Government consider setting up a registry for caregivers.


I fully support the idea and hope that the Government can implement it as many caregivers are in dire need of support.

Caregivers who undergo tremendous stress in looking after their sick relatives need a voice in Parliament to speak of their plight, and I am encouraged that Mr Wee has had the courage and conviction to do so.


The demands of caregiving can be overwhelming, and people who devote themselves to the unpaid care of a chronically ill or disabled family member certainly could do with more assistance.

Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong also mentioned that more help could be given for caregivers.

If the Government accepts Mr Wee's suggestion of a caregivers registry, it will be easier to identify those who have made sacrifices in caring for their sick relatives and then provide them with the much-needed support.

Caregivers could be given an option of registering at this proposed registry, as some may not want to be identified.

RAYMOND ANTHONY FERNANDO

(2) Raymond's letter to MediaCorp's TODAY Newspaper: Registry makes it easier to help caregivers in need


This letter was published in the online section of MediaCorp's TODAY Newspaper on Monday 7th March 2011.


Recently, Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) Laurence Wee suggested in Parliament that the Government should consider setting up a registry for caregivers. I fully support Mr Wee's idea and hope that the Government can implement this suggestion as many caregivers are in dire need of support.

The demands of caregiving can be overwhelming and people who devote themselves to the unpaid care of a chronically ill or disabled family member certainly could do with more assistance. Caregiving can take a heavy toll if caregivers don’t get adequate support. I have been in this situation for 37 years.

Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, in a post-budget 2011 dialogue session with 200 grassroots leaders last month, mentioned that one area which he felt was missing in the Budget was more help for caregivers.

I am glad that both SM Goh Chok Tong and Mr Wee understands our everyday struggles. If the Government the suggestion of a caregivers registry, it will be so much easier to identify those who have made sacrifices in caring for their sick relatives and then provide them with the much-needed support.

Caregivers could be given an option of registering, as some may not want to be identified.
http://www.todayonline.com/Voices/EDC110307-0000379/Registry-makes-it-easier-to-help-caregivers-in-need


RAYMOND ANTHONY FERNANDO


Let us be inspired by what Saint Augustine once said: “What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like”.