Over the last five decades, there is no doubt that Singapore has become an aged society and will continue to remain this way in the coming years. Along with the social issue of our increasingly ageing population, the loneliness epidemic among Singapore’s elderly is something that must not be neglected.
From being placed in nursing homes to living alone, many Singaporean seniors experience isolation, abandonment and even boredom. In order to combat this social problem, many countries all over the world began developing befriending schemes for the elderly, including Singapore.
According to Harvard, broader social interaction for seniors results in higher levels of physical activity, fewer negative feelings, and greater positive moods—all of which are essential aspects of growing older. While it seems like a simple task, the impact of befriending an elderly person can make a big difference in their journey towards ageing in place.
Why We Need Befriending Services
Changes in family patterns such as family members prioritising work responsibilities, grieving the loss of a loved one, or a shrinking family size can result in weakened family support for seniors. As our elderly family members start to grow older, the reality of loneliness brought by old age becomes increasingly apparent. When neglected, this could have grave effects on their emotional health such as suicidal tendencies or symptoms of depression. Here are some tips that can help you better care for a loved one with depression.
In 2018, the Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) reported that the number of suicides committed by the elderly are drastically increasing each year due to neglect by family members and not knowing how to seek help regarding their struggles. Creating purposeful relationships through befriending services are incredibly helpful in complementing family support with community support, which can improve the overall emotional and psychological welfare of the older adults.
This is just one of the many ways we can uplift seniors in their golden years and eradicate feelings of social isolation and loneliness. Sometimes, all they want is a listening ear and the company of a friend.
To give your loved one the best care he/she deserves, we provide a free care consultation for you and your loved one, to ensure that they get a Care Professional that best suits their needs.
What Does a Befriender Do?
Befrienders typically consist of a group of people who are trained to provide social and psycho-emotional support to seniors through nursing home or weekly home visits. The aim of befriending services is to allow elderly persons in Singapore to age in place within their respective communities while preventing loneliness. Many of these seniors experience extended periods of social isolation and some even go days without any interaction or physical contact, especially for those living alone.
These interactions not only provide relief for the elderly, but are also an opportunity for befrienders to spot areas of improvement in a senior’s daily environment, such as recommending the installation of grab bars or non-slip mats to prevent falls. Befrienders may then provide the necessary assistance or connect the seniors to the relevant service providers. Befrienders are also put through training prior to engaging with the elderly to help them build effective relationships with the seniors and be equipped with the necessary knowledge to facilitate befriending projects as well.
Getting the Best Companionship for Your Loved One
This is a more suitable option for elderly loved ones who prefer to remain in the home environment, and those who require qualified care. Homage offers companionship and caregiving services from as little as one hour to 24 hours each time, available on an ad-hoc or regular basis.
How Does Befriending Work?
Although being friends with an older person is something that almost anyone can do, organisations that particularly provide befriending services for the elderly have standard practices when carrying out these activities. Usually, befriending begins with a conversation. You can talk about anything under the sun – from your loved one’s hobbies, interests and accomplishments. A good listening ear goes a long way towards meaningful engagement between the befriender and your loved one.
Besides conversations, befrienders can share a simple home-cooked meal with the elderly, or keep them engaged by empowering them to try something new!
More Than Just Your Average Befriender
Our Care Professionals are equipped with the right skills to handle complex medical conditions and are trained to manage and regulate different emotions faced by your loved one. On top of providing meaningful companionship, our Care Professionals are able to help you with the following:
- Activities of daily living (Feeding, transferring, toileting, etc)
- Companionship and personalised care
- Nursing care including wound care, catheter or feeding tube care
- Medical escort services for routine check-ups
- Therapy (Physiotherapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy)
For more information, schedule a free consult with the Homage Care Advisory Team.
List of Befriending Services in Singapore
Here is a list of befriending services in Singapore that you can reach out to.
Lions Befrienders
- Website: https://www.lionsbefrienders.org.sg/
- Location: Blk 130 Bukit Merah View, #01-358 (HQ)
- Telephone: 1800 375 8600
TOUCH Community Services
- Website: https://www.touch.org.sg/
- Location: Blk 162 Bukit Merah Central #05-3545
- Telephone: 6377 0122
- Operating Hours: Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm
Agency for Integrated Care (AIC)
- Website: https://www.aic.sg/care-services/befriending-service
- Location: 5 Maxwell Road, #10-00 Tower Block MND Complex (HQ)
- Telephone: 1800 650 6060
- Operating Hours: Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 5:30pm
REACH Community Services
- Website: https://www.reach.org.sg/senior_page/community-outreach/
- Location: Blk 187 Bishan Street 13 #01-475
- Telephone: 6252 2566
- Operating Hours: Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm, Saturday from 9am to 1pm
HealthHub
- Website: https://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/134/befriendingservice
- Telephone: 1800 225 4482
- Operating Hours: Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5.30pm
Brahm Centre
- Website: http://brahmcentre.com/befriending-program/
- Location: Simei, Macpherson and Tampines
- Telephone: Varies depending on the location
- Operating Hours: Monday to Saturday from 9am to 6pm
Bethesda Care Centre
- Website: https://www.bcare.org.sg/our-services/elderly/eldercare-befrienders/
- Location: Blk 242 Hougang St 22 #01-93 (HQ)
- Telephone: 6340 4161
- Operating Hours: Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm
ElderAid by Singapore Red Cross
- Website: https://www.redcross.sg/our-services/community-services/elderaid
- Location: 15 Penang Lane, Red Cross House
- Telephone: 6664 0500
- Operating Hours: Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm
Filos Community Services
- Website: https://www.filos.sg/services-eldercare
- Location: Chai Chee Avenue and Chai Chee Drive
- Telephone: 6242 5978 / 6241 1503
- Operating Hours: Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm
Montfort Care
- Website: https://www.montfortcare.org.sg/befriending-with-montfort-care/
- Location: 624 Upper Bukit Timah Road (HQ)
- Telephone: 6446 0300
- Operating Hours: Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm
Calvary Community Care
- Website: https://www.calvary.sg/programme-category/seniors/?pid=278
- Location: 147 Potong Pasir Ave 1 #02-83 Singapore 350147
- Telephone: 6281 1866
- Operating Hours: Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm
Helping Older Adults Cope with Loneliness
There are many people in the community who are more than willing to lend a helping hand or listening ear to our beloved seniors, so there is no shame in reaching out for help.
If your loved one can benefit from having a caregiver around for companionship or to perform check-in visits from time to time, Homage can help. Our Care Professionals are trained and experienced in caring for the elderly. Besides companionship, our Care Professionals can help with meal preparation as well as support with various activities of daily living such as transferring and showering.
If your loved one or someone you know can benefit from companionship and befriending services, we can help, too. Homage offers care packages starting from just $21/hr. Book a free consultation with our Care Advisors to find out more today!
