Counselling

Programmes

Resources

Organisation

Counselling Services & Programmes

SAGE HELPLINE FOR SENIORS 1800 555 5555
The Helpline service provides a listening ear for anyone who wishes to talk about matters concerning older persons. For example, a caregiver can call to talk about the stress or difficulties in taking care of a frail older person or an older person can call because he/ she needs to talk to someone about his/ her problems.

Another service rendered by the Helpline is information about and referral to community services, for example day care centres or nursing homes, for older persons and their caregivers. This Helpline is manned by trained volunteers who are supervised by Centre staff. Most volunteers are bilingual and speak at least one dialect. Confidentiality is maintained.

FACE-TO-FACE COUNSELLING  
This provides an avenue for the older persons and/or their caregivers to discuss various issues and concerns which may include:

• Marital or spousal conflicts between older persons, intergenerational or relationship difficulties
• Physical or psychological (e.g. suicidal thoughts, anxiety, depression) health issues
• Loneliness and isolation
• Stress
• Abuse

This face-to-face service is provided by Centre staff who are trained professionals. Problems discussed are kept confidential. It is currently provided free-of-charge and appointments are made via the Helpline.

TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT OF VOLUNTEERS                                                                                      Helpline volunteers undergo a 30-hour training programme over three months after which they are "mentored" by experienced volunteers. All volunteers can seek guidance from the Centre's professionals staff. Besides training and guidance, there are opportunities for volunteers to attend courses in self-awareness as well as gerontology. Visits to other VWOs and social get-togethers such as the annual Volunteer Appreciation High Tea with SAGE Management Board and staff are routinely organised for volunteers.

The Volunteer Training & Development programme aims to equip volunteers with the necessary knowledge and skills to work with older persons through the Helpline.

This training is provided by Centre staff and other professionals. 

Topics of training include:

• Basic counselling skills
• Self awareness
• Understanding older persons
• Community services and resource for older persons
• Communications skills
• Death and dying

Volunteers' potential will be further developed as they serve. Thus far, the Centre has experienced very low volunteer attrition rate and it will strive to maintain this standard of development.

Advocacy - The Golden Life Workgroups on Elder Suicide Prevention and Elder Abuse Prevention

Golden Life Workgroup on Elder Suicide Prevention                                                                         Formed in late 1999, the Golden Life Workgroup on Elder Suicide Prevention comprises to date of 17 participating organisations. Mrs Helen Ko, Senior Consultant of SAGE Counselling Centre, chairs this Workgroup. The mission of the Workgroup is to prevent Elderly Suicide because the Workgroup believed that Elder suicide can be prevented. It aims to:

• Equip professionals to identify older persons at risk of suicide and manage older persons with suicidal tendencies
• Create public awareness on Elderly Suicide

Its activities include:

• Intervention workshops for professionals
• Public forums
• Caregivers' workshops

For enquiry on the latest activities of the programme, please call 6354 1191.

In August 2001 a Training Manual on Elderly Suicide Management and Intervention in Singapore was produced to facilitate training of professionals and para-professionals on this topic.

Golden Life Workgroup on Elder Suicide Prevention
SAGE Counselling Centre formed this second Golden Life Workgroup on Elder Abuse Prevention in 2002. The Executive Director of SAGE Counselling Centre, Dr Chiang Hai Ding, chairs this Workgroup. Mrs Helen Ko is Co-Chair. Since its inaugration, this Workgroup has brought together stakeholders from 26 organisations to tackle the challenge of Elder Abuse in Singapore. The mission of the Workgroup is "to create awareness about Elder Abuse and to undertake and recommend actions to detect, manage and prevent it, with a view to enhancing family and social cohesion in Singapore."

It has completed its Report to policymakers entitled "Say 'No!' to Elder Abuse" in August 2004.