“A Community Approach to Palliative Care” By Dr. Swapna Dayanandan

The clock ticks past 2 a.m. The city sleeps, but in one home, the quiet is broken by a wracking cough. Madam Lim gently holds her husband, his frail body struggling for breath. It’s a scene playing out in countless households across Singapore, where a rapidly aging population faces the realities of life-limiting illnesses.

“I’m failing him,” Madam Lim whispers, her own tears mingling with his. It’s a feeling of desperate loneliness, shared by many caregivers who navigate the complexities of end-of-life care alone.

The Challenge of Caregiving in a Cosmopolitan City

Singapore boasts world-class medical facilities, yet a critical gap exists in supporting patients and their caregivers outside of hospital walls. Research shows 95% of a patient’s journey happens at home, where emotional, spiritual, and social well-being (psychosocial support) become paramount.

A recent study revealed that over half of caregivers feel stressed “all the time,” and many report mental health struggles. Without community-based care, they face immense challenges:

• Inadequate Care: Managing pain, anxiety, and emotional needs at home is overwhelming without proper guidance.
• Isolation for All: Patients, caregivers, and even family members suffer from loneliness and fear.

[Mental Health Study of Caregivers: Source: Caregivers Alliance Limited and Milieu, 2022 with 1000 sample size]

A Compassionate Solution
Kampong Palliative Care empowers caregivers and builds community readiness with a two-pronged approach:

1. Virtual Engagement: Provides bite-sized learning resources, a supportive online community, and access to expert advice, ensuring that no one feels alone on this journey.

2. Face-to-Face Engagement: Offers culturally sensitive training, legacy cafes for sharing experiences, and outreach to raise awareness about end-of-life care.

Ripples of Support
Kampong Palliative Care benefits not only caregivers but also:

• Individuals facing Life-Limiting Illnesses: Empowering them to participate in their own care and find comfort in their final journey.

• Kampong Dwellers (e.g., neighbours, colleagues, friends, extended family members etc): Equipping them to offer compassionate support and build a more connected community.

A Conversation That Matters Imagine Madam Lim sharing her struggles with her neighbour, Mrs. Ravi, who’s been trained in Kampong Palliative Care. Mrs. Ravi doesn’t just offer condolences; she actively listens, validates Madam Lim’s feelings, and connects her to vital resources. This is the power of a prepared community.

Transforming Lives
Kampong Palliative Care will redefine end-of-life experiences in Singapore. By addressing the often-overlooked psychosocial needs and fostering a culture of compassionate preparedness, we ensure that no one faces this journey alone. Empowered caregivers. Reduced isolation. Stronger communities. This is the future of care in Singapore.

This article is written by Dr. Swapna Dayanandan (PhD, Gerontology) Consortium Founder (Kampong Palliative Care), in partnership with the Singapore University of Social Sciences and supported by Ngee Ann Kongsi.