Progress and Plans in Supporting Mental Health of Staff and Residents in Nursing Homes and Related Facilities
Ministry of HealthSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns Mr Desmond Choo’s inquiry regarding progress and plans to support the mental health of nursing home staff and residents during the pandemic. Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung highlighted that providers have stepped up staff counselling and peer support while using technology to facilitate residents’ virtual family visits and activities. Face-to-face visits for vaccinated individuals have resumed, and outdoor recreational pilots, such as neighbourhood trishaw rides, were introduced in December 2021. Small group and volunteer-led activities are also being reintroduced under safe management measures to improve socioemotional well-being within facilities. The Ministry of Health and Agency for Integrated Care will continue to monitor the sector to implement timely support for staff and residents.
Transcript
52 Mr Desmond Choo asked the Minister for Health in light of the safe management measures and the higher stress from dealing with COVID-19, what is the Ministry’s progress and plans in supporting the mental health of staff and residents in nursing homes and other related facilities.
Mr Ong Ye Kung: MOH and the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) work closely with residential care homes, or Homes, such as nursing homes, to support the socioemotional well-being of their staff and residents during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Providers regularly check in on their staff’s well-being and provide support to help them cope with stress as well as provide gestures of appreciation for their contributions. Peer support programmes and staff counselling services were also stepped up.
Providers also stepped up their use of technology to support their residents’ socioemotional needs, especially when face-to-face visits were suspended. For instance, providers helped residents to connect with their loved ones via video-conferencing on a regular basis. Residents also enjoy virtual activities, such as online programmes organised by partners, including National Heritage Board and Mandai Wildlife Reserves.
As part of the transition towards COVID-19 resilience, we have resumed face-to-face visits for fully vaccinated or medically ineligible residents and visitors and we are piloting recreational activities outside of the Homes in a safe manner. For example, in December 2021, approximately 110 seniors participated in trishaw rides around their neighbourhood, as part of a pilot with Cycling Without Age, Singapore. Small group activities for residents, including volunteer-led ones, have also resumed, subject to prevailing safe management measures.
We will continue to work closely with providers to monitor and introduce timely measures to enhance residents' and staff's well-being.