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Live-in foreign domestic workers (FDWs) in Singapore are an essential part of the economy but are socially marginalized as outsiders. In a reality of rapid demographic ageing and low fertility, Singaporean families usually engage a foreign domestic worker as a home-caregiver. There is almost no research literature on the experiences and education o...
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... The growing aging population as well as the increase in long-term health conditions can lead toa transition from independent living to home-care solutions for this population (Ansah et al., 2014;Carroll et al., 2016). Pitfalls of family care and differences in care concepts and skill gaps require re-conceptualization of carework qualifications and caregivers' training (Bloom et al., 2015;Kehila, 2018;Levine et al., 2010). The literature highlights the need for patient daily support at home, which can result in caregivers' stress and burn-out (Au et al., 2013;Friganovic et al., 2019;Mehta & Leng, 2017;Slocum-Gori et al., 2013). ...
... The government agencies rely on the voluntary sector and on families to offer care (Chin & Phua, 2016;Mehta & Leng, 2017;Thompson et al., 2014). Caregivers perform simple and complex tasks, make decisions, solve problems, provide emotional support and comfort, and coordinate care, which includes supervising patients and monitoring new signs and symptoms, adverse events, and positive responses to treatment (Ayalon, 2009;Kehila, 2018Kehila, , 2020bØstbye et al., 2013). With advanced technology, the home-based caregivers are expected to operate medical equipment and smart technologies to monitor the telehealth networks and digital devices for their clients (Gaikwad & Warren, 2009;Piau et al., 2019;Quinn et al., 2018). ...
... The relationship between the FDW (in this instance, the caregiver)-who implements the homecare-work-with her employer and the CRs influence the complexity of care provisions (Kehila, 2018;Malhotra et al., 2012;Walsh & Shutes, 2013). The literature confirms that stress can increase the likelihood of occupational burnout, which involves depersonalization, emotional exhaustion, and a sense of low personal accomplishment in the care dyad (Iecovich, 2008;Savage & Bailey, 2004;Shapiro et al., 2007). ...
This article describes an arts-based intervention program for seven care dyads of elderly persons and their caregivers who are foreign domestic workers (FDWs) in Singapore. The intervention aimed to introduce interdisciplinary tools of artmaking and mindfulness that could be used to improve the communication and relationship between the care dyad and to support the stress reduction and self-care of caregivers. Following a client-based approach, eight sessions were conducted, once weekly, over a 2-month period in hybrid structure, at the home of the care dyad and through the use of Google Meet. Qualitative data were collected in personal interviews, questionnaires, and visual data, and they were connected with art therapists fieldnotes and reflection journals. At the end of the program, an online feedback session was offered to the elderly participants family members, and their feedback was collected using a questionnaire. The data analysis confirms the impact of the artmaking intervention on the communication and relationship of the dyad. Participants reported that artmaking combined with mindfulness tools contributed to their understanding of their care-recipient (CR)/caregiver, improved their daily care activities, and helped caregivers explore new ways of self-care and stress relief. The hybrid model of implementation was effective and encouraged caregivers to explore and practice the tools learned independently between sessions. The results of this pilot program inform the development of intervention programs for care dyads as well as training programs for both caregivers, art therapists, and other care professionals. The intervention for care dyads highlights the importance of dyadic care as part of a holistic approach to caregiving. The inclusion of FDWs in the program suggests that both CRs and caregivers are one unit in which their well-being is interdependent. Further research may explore specific artmaking activities for other dyads of caregivers and CRs with differing care needs and backgrounds. Potential training activities and models could support the use of this intervention by therapists and other professionals.
... In a reality of rapid demographic aging and low fertility, Singaporean families usually engage a FDW as a home-caregiver. The importance of education and training for live-in care-workers in Singapore has influenced the development of a nonformal education market (Kehila, 2018). In my dissertation study, I argued that by encouraging a systematic involvement of FDWs in the development of education and training programs, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and other training providers may recognize the importance of caregivers' lay knowledge as an important step in creating a new channel for social mobility of migrant domestic workers. ...
... Human relationships are the core value of the Filipino culture (Clemente et al., 2008;De Guia, 2005;Francisco-Menchavez, Reyes, Mendoza, Ancheta, & Liwanag, 2018;Mendoza & Perkinson, 2003;Mansukhani, 2005;Reyes, 2015), which has a significant influence on the Filipino identity and behaviour. The Filipinos' virtue ethics form the core belief system that creates the foundations of the care knowledge of Filipina FDWs (Kehila, 2018). Recognizing the Filipina FDWs' initial perceptions on care-work as highly respectful and appreciative is fundamental for understanding their care knowledge, that develops high levels of personal motivation and selfsatisfaction. ...
