What if we could combine caregiver support activities with their interest to acquire new skills? Dementia Singapore has done just that! The Caregiver Support & Network (CSN) is a refreshing and new programme launched in December 2020 to better support a caregiver’s needs and well-being.
Facilitated by Dementia Singapore’s social workers and volunteers, caregivers are encouraged to take a break from your intensive responsibilities, have some needed respite, and experience activities beyond the regular Caregiver Support Groups. CSN offers a safe space for caregivers to nurture their own interests or learn new skills, while at the same time connecting with like-minded individuals with similar experiences.
Through this programme, Dementia Singapore aims to promote the importance of self-care amongst caregivers and to foster interactions with other caregivers caring for loved ones living with dementia, through hobbies and other interest-based activities such as themed musical performances, learning basic Cantonese, or even learning how to play the guitar.
The current CSN sessions offered are:
Basic Canto-Lingo
Always wanted to learn Cantonese to converse with your grandparents, or with the elderlies in your community? Caregivers can now finally set aside the time to learn basic conversational Cantonese on a bi-weekly basis, including slang words!
Hatha Yoga
In this type of yoga, participants learn how to move their bodies slowly and deliberately, challenging their strength and flexibility, while at the same time focusing on relaxation and mindfulness. The perfect activity for a stress-free period of respite and self-care.
Knits & Knots
As a beginner’s guide to knitting, this series aims to gather like-minded caregivers with a passion for knitting and creating meaningful pieces, while connecting with other caregivers in a fun-filled environment. The sessions are conducted by mother-daughter trio Katherine Lim, Belinda Seet, and Barbara Seet, graduates from Dementia Singapore’s Voices for Hope programme and dementia self-advocates.
Making Memories
As a beginner’s course to photography skills, participants get to try their hand at shooting basic portrait, landscape, black and white photos and more, using just their smartphones.
The Making Memories group is no longer active.
Relax with Zentangle
Zentangle drawings are a way of drawing abstract patterns that promotes mindfulness and creativity. Let your creative juices flow in Relax with Zentangle, which is facilitated by peer leaders and staff.
For the more musically-inclined, CSN also includes:
Date With Donnie
A live-streamed series featuring our regular volunteer and professional musician, Donnie Chan, as he serenades participants with evergreen rock ballads and greatest hit songs.
Strum & Sing
Designed as a ‘how to’ course, this series brings together amateur string-pickers as they attempt to master the guitar in just ten sessions!
Learn more about the Caregiver Support & Network.