Caring for Those Who Care

“It was tiring and stressful because it was also during this time that my mother was diagnosed with early-stage dementia,” recalls the 46-year-old. As an only child, Carolynn suddenly found herself navigating multiple responsibilities at once. For a time, caregiving felt like something she had to shoulder alone. “It was very difficult watching my mother battle both dementia and depression, without knowing how best to support her.” Determined to learn, Carolynn turned to the internet for answers, reading everything she could about dementia. But the more information she found, the harder it became to understand what support was available and what steps she should take next. Her experience is one shared by many caregivers, who often find themselves balancing the emotional and practical demands of caregiving while trying to navigate an unfamiliar and complex care landscape. It was through Allkin’s Caregiver Support Network – a suite of programmes designed to build caregiving competencies, provide respite, and foster peer support – that Carolynn found a way forward.

Bringing together caregiver orientation sessions, respite programmes, peer support groups, and case management, the network is designed to support caregivers at different stages of their journey. Depending on each family's needs, caregivers are also connected to other services and resources, ensuring that both they and their loved ones receive more coordinated and holistic support.

“Families are often trying to figure out where to start – how to access support or navigate the system,” shares Jason, a counsellor from Allkin’s Mental Health Service. “Our role is to journey alongside them, connecting them to resources, professional support, and community networks, so that families can focus on caring for their loved ones with greater confidence.”

For Carolynn, one programme became especially meaningful – the Caregivers Strength Circle. There, she found a space where she could simply be herself – not only as a caregiver, but as someone who also needed support and understanding.

“We can really empathise with one another because everyone understands the struggle,” she shares.

Although members do not meet frequently due to their caregiving responsibilities, they stay connected through phone calls and WhatsApp chats, checking in on one another and offering encouragement whenever it is needed.

For Jason, these connections are just as important as the practical support.

“Sometimes, it can be more meaningful when advice comes from another caregiver who has walked a similar journey,” says Jason. “Through these shared experiences, caregivers realise that they are not alone in facing the challenges of caregiving.”

Over time, Carolynn’s role within the group began to evolve. Having found strength in the community, she joined the committee to help organise activities for fellow caregivers, from movie nights and potluck gatherings to festive craft sessions.

These moments of respite may seem small, but they offer caregivers something they often forget to give themselves – a chance to pause, connect, and be cared for.

Caregiving continues to come with its challenges. But for Carolynn, what began as a journey marked by grief and uncertainty has become one shaped by understanding, practical support, and friendships forged through lived experience.

Because while caregiving often begins with one person, no one should have to carry it alone.