An open letter to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his cabinet: Family caregivers deserve recognition in the pioneer generation hongbao

Dear Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong,

 

Your initiative to accord recognition to our pioneer generation through a pioneer generation hongbao will surely be well received by those who helped build the nation in the early years of independence (“PM promises pioneer generation a hongbao”; Thursday). It is a good move; and it will encourage more Singaporeans to stay loyal to the country.

Just as the pioneer generation has stayed loyal and committed to Singapore for decades, so have family caregivers who, with sheer determination, commitment and perseverance have not given up on their care recipients.  Moreover, many of these caregivers have, in their employable years, worked with the first generation leaders to help build Singapore’s vibrant economy.  But they are always forgotten.

Family caregivers need to be recognised for the simple reason that these individuals make lots of sacrifices as they tirelessly assist loved ones with a disability­–physical or mental, serious illness or the limitations of aging. 

Generally, caregivers would like to care for their sick relatives, but there are reasons – valid reasons, why some have little or no choice but to place them in nursing homes. We need to understand that.  

For decades, caregivers who are prepared to embrace caregiving as a noble job have not been given recognition for the commitment they make – practically every day of their lives.  This is not in keeping with your objective of ensuring that EVERY Singaporean will be well taken care of.   

In your Chinese New Year message, PM Lee, you once again stressed the importance of family support and taking care of the elderly.  This is exactly what our family caregivers have done.   With an ageing population coming on-stream, you can expect more and more of our citizens to become caregivers.  The question is how many will be able to take the road less travelled and, if they do, will they be to cope?   How many will be motivated to travel the long ardous journey?

It is therefore timely for the government to translate words into action and accord the long overdue recognition to our family caregivers through the pioneer generation hongbao.  And most certainly, this group is very much representative of an inclusive society.  Agreed, PM Lee?

 

Raymond Anthony Fernando

 An edited version of this suggestion appears in the TODAY Newspaper - Wed 5th Feb 2014:
 

http://www.todayonline.com/voices/recognise-sacrifices-made-family-caregivers

 

 

 

 

 

Letter to The New Paper: UPROAR OVER ANTON CASEY”S FACEBOOK COMMENTS: Give him a second chance

My letter to The New Paper on the above matter is published today, Wednesday 29^thJanuary 2013.

Many people, including our politicians, Singaporeans and expats were understandably upset over Mr Anton Casey’s insulting remarks about our public transport users being “poor people” in the report, “You’re not superior because you’re got money” (The New Paper, Jan 24)

Initially, I was very upset by his insensitive comments. 

But I fervently believe that since Mr Casey has realised his grave mistake and is willing to make amends by offering to do community work, can we not find it in our hearts to forgive him and give him a second chance?

If prisoners are given a second chance, then I am sure we can accord the same kind gesture to Mr Casey.  

He has lost his job and friends, and he and his family will no doubt become isolated and lonely due to a wrong turn.

Only when we are in that same predicament do we realise what it feels like to be isolated.

VOLUNTEER

A good way for the former wealth manager to make amends for his mistakes is to volunteer his services to marginalised citizens who need love, understanding and support. 

Once Mr Casey has proven his sincerity with the concept of charity, I have every confidence that he can rebuild his life.  

RAYMOND ANTHONY FERNANDO

Raymond Anthony Fernando's letter to The New Paper: Doctors should have helped woman

My letter on the above matter was published in The New Paper today, Tuesday 21^st January 2014.

I have mixed feelings reading the report, “Why didn’t doctors come out to help?” (The New Paper, yesterday).

While I am heartened by the public spiritedness of 25-year-old customer service officer Janice Choy, who took pains to look for doctors to help the elderly woman who was lying on the road, I am troubled by the lack of support on the part of the two clinics. 

Public spiritedness does not always occur, but if we want to see such virtues spread widely, then those who are in a position to render assistance, as with the case of the doctors, must act decisively.  

At a time when our hospitals are facing a severe bed crunch with limited resources, it would have been far better if the doctors helped the elderly woman.  

Then, only if there was a need to call an ambulance, the clinic could have summoned one.  

RAYMOND ANTHONY FERNANDO

P.S: Doctors must understand that they are trained to save lives. Even if the doctors are busy seeing patients at their respective clinics, I am sure those waiting to see him would not mind waiting a little longer during an emergency.  Recently, the Prime Minister made an appeal for all our citizens to look out for one another. This lack of support for the eldery woman on the part of the clincs concerned is not in line with what the PM wants us to do.

Let us take lessons from the magnimous Janice Choy who should not allow this incident to deter her from wanting to reach out to those who need care and support – because you are making a difference, Janice .  

 

Raymond 's letter to the press: Expand support for the needy and elderly

My letter to The Straits Times on the above matter was published on Tuesday 14^th January 2014.

It is commendable that the authorities have taken a keen interest in helping needy people in Punggol East, through a community voucher programme that will help more than 400 households (“More shops accept vouchers from needy”; Dec 30).

Another report (“5 more estates get grant for features to help the elderly”; Dec 28) said five more estates have been awarded the $50,000 City for All Ages grant to enhance their elderly-friendly features.  Kembangan-Chai Chee now plans to work with the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) to help the elderly keep depression at bay.

Needy Singaporeans and elderly folk with mental issues are not confined to just a few districts in Singapore.  It is imperative that the Government reach out to everyone who needs help.

It would be helpful for more constituencies to collaborate with IMH. There is also an urgent need to intensify public education on mental illnesses, and make it an ongoing process.

It is only proper that needy Singaporeans and the elderly in every constituency benefit from government-driven help schemes.  Such programmes should not be restricted to a select few.

Raymond Anthony Fernando

 

Raymond Anthony Fernando's letter to the press: Adopt two-way appraisal system

My letter on the above subject was published in The Straits Times on Saturday 4^th January 2014.

One way to ensure good human resource practices is to introduce upward appraisals for staff performance (“Ranking employees against one another unhealthy” by Mr Tan Kin Lian; Thursday).

Upward appraisals are performance appraisals of managers and bosses which are usually written by the subordinate staff.

In organisations that use upward appraisals, the subordinates complete a questionnaire on how well their superiors manage them. This usually takes place after the superiors have had the opportunity to finish preparing and discussing the subordinates’ performance appraisals.

These upward appraisals will encourage supervisors to facilitate two-way performance communication with their staff.

With this scheme, the organisation will be able to identify areas of growth for their employees – either in their current positions or in preparation for more challening roles in a fair and non-discriminatory manner.

The civil service could lead the way in implementing such a system.

Raymond Anthony Fernando

http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/forum-letters/story/adopt-two-way-appraisal-system-20140104

Raymond Anthony Fernando’s letter to the press: Government should subsidise installation of CCTV cameras in homes of elderly

My letter on the above matter is published in MediaCorp’s Today newspaper today, Monday 16^th December 2013.

Our doctors are seeing more elderly citizens who suffered a fall in their homes, which has contributed in some ways to the crunch in hospitals and rehabilitation centres.

Elderly folk with mobility problems and who are alone when their children go to work are at greater risk of falls. Although many people consider their homes safe, most accidents occur at home.

Generally, most of our senior citizens would prefer to be with their family than to spend their twilight years in nursing homes. There has thus been discussion on how to support them.

As several public housing blocks are being fitted with closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras near the lifts to improve security for residents, I suggest that the Government also subsidise the installation of CCTV cameras in homes of elderly citizens if the families concerned are agreeable to this enhanced safety measure.

A sensor could be placed near the CCTV cameras, and the video and audio feed could be transmitted to the family members’ mobile phones or other gadgets.

If the elderly relative falls, an SOS signal or alert message could be immediately sent to them.

A home monitoring system will thus allow us to use technology to help us help ourselves.

Raymond Anthony Fernando

http://www.todayonline.com/voices/government-should-subsidise-installation-cctv-cameras-homes-elderly

 

Raymond's letter to The New Paper: MOTHER ARRESTED FOR MURDER- Jobless need more support

My letter to The New Paper on the above matter is published today – Wednesday 4^th December 2013, page 13.

Like many others, I was heartbroken when I read   “Sea of sorrow” (The New Paper, Nov 27).

The mother of the 17-month-old has been arrested and faces a murder charge.  Her father said she lost her job recently. Now, one life has been lost and another hangs in the balance. 

Workers who have lost their jobs and those anxious over being laid off need help to cope as financial woes can push them into a dark corner.

Losing a job can push a person into denial, frustration and hopelessness.

During such periods, anxiety will cause the stress levels to shoot up, sometimes with tragic consequences.

There are agencies that can assist families trying to cope with such stress, but the authorities should do more to increase public awareness of the help that is available.

I would like to suggest the following measures to support laid-off workers.

When workers lose their jobs, employers must be required to notify the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). The information can then be passed on to the relevant family services centres and others to provide support measures.

The Member of Parliament concerned should also be kept informed so that financial assistance can be stepped up and home visits carried out.

This is important because some of the newly unemployed will be so despondent that they may not want to seek help.

Brochures with information on helplines and family service centres should also be more readily available for this group.

 

RAYMOND ANTHONY FERNANDO