1 00:00:02,910 --> 00:00:07,190 Speaker 1: You're listening to AC N A podcast. Hey, everyone, Andrea Heng, here. 2 00:00:07,199 --> 00:00:10,199 Speaker 1: The Money Talks team is taking a short break well 3 00:00:10,210 --> 00:00:13,649 Speaker 1: deserved if you ask me in December, but we will 4 00:00:13,659 --> 00:00:18,420 Speaker 1: be back with new episodes in January 2025. Feel 5 00:00:18,590 --> 00:00:20,950 Speaker 1: free to take a deep dive in the meantime, into 6 00:00:20,959 --> 00:00:24,058 Speaker 1: our archives. If you want to learn more about how 7 00:00:24,069 --> 00:00:27,190 Speaker 1: to save, how to invest and how to stretch your 8 00:00:27,200 --> 00:00:29,860 Speaker 1: dollar for now though, we've put together some of our 9 00:00:29,870 --> 00:00:34,159 Speaker 1: best performing episodes. Enjoy them and we'll see you next year. 10 00:00:36,110 --> 00:00:39,348 Speaker 1: Hey, there, it's Andrea and welcome back to the Money 11 00:00:39,360 --> 00:00:43,270 Speaker 1: Talks podcast. So there was a recent survey, it showed 12 00:00:43,279 --> 00:00:47,990 Speaker 1: that slightly more than 1000 people were asked about growing. 13 00:00:48,000 --> 00:00:54,639 Speaker 1: All right, 80% said they feared poor health and nearly 50% 14 00:00:54,650 --> 00:00:54,849 Speaker 1: said 15 00:00:54,935 --> 00:00:59,235 Speaker 1: having to depend on others was a big worry. Now, 16 00:00:59,244 --> 00:01:02,865 Speaker 1: if you're listening to this while exercising or, you know, 17 00:01:02,875 --> 00:01:07,135 Speaker 1: on your commute, you happen to be young, relatively healthy 18 00:01:07,144 --> 00:01:10,714 Speaker 1: and active, this concept of growing old and depending on others, 19 00:01:10,724 --> 00:01:15,955 Speaker 1: this might seem like a world away. But the reality 20 00:01:15,964 --> 00:01:19,114 Speaker 1: for thousands of others is quite different. 21 00:01:19,589 --> 00:01:23,720 Speaker 1: They are either caregivers or in need of care. And 22 00:01:23,730 --> 00:01:28,190 Speaker 1: the truth of the matter is this costs money quite 23 00:01:28,199 --> 00:01:31,300 Speaker 1: a bit of money and it is something that every 24 00:01:31,309 --> 00:01:34,160 Speaker 1: one of us is going to have to face someday. 25 00:01:34,330 --> 00:01:37,348 Speaker 1: So today we have a different kind of conversation on 26 00:01:37,360 --> 00:01:38,160 Speaker 1: money talks. 27 00:01:38,300 --> 00:01:43,209 Speaker 1: I'm talking to someone who shoulders the physical, emotional and 28 00:01:43,220 --> 00:01:48,669 Speaker 1: financial burden of caring for her grandmother, Nabila Haim. Welcome 29 00:01:48,680 --> 00:01:48,980 Speaker 1: to Money 30 00:01:48,989 --> 00:01:51,250 Speaker 2: Talks. Hi, Andrea. Thank you for having 31 00:01:51,260 --> 00:01:53,879 Speaker 1: me. It's so good to have you here. Thanks, first 32 00:01:53,889 --> 00:01:57,110 Speaker 1: and foremost for coming on the podcast to share your story. 33 00:01:57,419 --> 00:02:00,629 Speaker 1: So let's paint a little bit of a context to start. 34 00:02:00,809 --> 00:02:03,480 Speaker 1: How old is your grandma? And why are you the 35 00:02:03,489 --> 00:02:04,599 Speaker 1: main caregiver? 36 00:02:05,029 --> 00:02:07,779 Speaker 2: I have a 90 year old grandma and I've been 37 00:02:07,790 --> 00:02:11,619 Speaker 2: taking care of her since 2022. Ok. Yeah. So basically 38 00:02:11,630 --> 00:02:15,059 Speaker 2: before this, she was staying with my aunt and my 39 00:02:15,070 --> 00:02:15,619 Speaker 2: cousin 40 00:02:16,100 --> 00:02:19,369 Speaker 2: and grandma has been very active and independent all her life. 41 00:02:19,380 --> 00:02:21,399 Speaker 2: But I think in 2022 it was a wake up 42 00:02:21,410 --> 00:02:24,859 Speaker 2: call when we discovered one day she couldn't walk, she 43 00:02:24,910 --> 00:02:27,508 Speaker 2: just couldn't get off the bed. We decided to get 44 00:02:27,520 --> 00:02:31,089 Speaker 2: medical help thinking that oh, ok. This is just normal, 45 00:02:31,100 --> 00:02:33,880 Speaker 2: you know, consequence of old age. And then we got 46 00:02:33,889 --> 00:02:34,850 Speaker 2: scolded the doctors. 47 00:02:35,889 --> 00:02:38,970 Speaker 2: What happened? The doctor was saying that, do you know 48 00:02:38,979 --> 00:02:41,440 Speaker 2: that these are signs of a mild stroke? And you know, 49 00:02:41,449 --> 00:02:43,669 Speaker 2: we had no idea. We always thought that ok, a 50 00:02:43,679 --> 00:02:47,279 Speaker 2: stroke would be, you get paralyzed. You know, it's quite severe. Exactly. 51 00:02:47,288 --> 00:02:49,610 Speaker 2: And you will see, you know, this change in facial expression. 52 00:02:49,619 --> 00:02:53,970 Speaker 2: At that point, my cousin, she was already a dialysis patient. 53 00:02:54,490 --> 00:02:56,699 Speaker 2: So she, she already had a chronic illness for the 54 00:02:56,710 --> 00:02:59,889 Speaker 2: longest time and when the decision was made to, ok. 55 00:02:59,899 --> 00:03:00,429 Speaker 2: So what is the 56 00:03:00,529 --> 00:03:02,880 Speaker 2: care that is going to happen after this? Initially? I 57 00:03:02,889 --> 00:03:05,250 Speaker 2: thought maybe we could arrange it in some way, we'll 58 00:03:05,258 --> 00:03:07,550 Speaker 2: get a helper and then I'll come over every day 59 00:03:07,559 --> 00:03:09,799 Speaker 2: and then I realized that my house is quite far. 60 00:03:09,809 --> 00:03:12,130 Speaker 2: I'm at Bukit Batok at to pay, right? So it's 61 00:03:12,139 --> 00:03:14,190 Speaker 2: a bit of a ride and then I have Children. 62 00:03:14,199 --> 00:03:16,000 Speaker 2: So I'm a mother of three and I also have 63 00:03:16,008 --> 00:03:17,589 Speaker 2: a job at the end of the day, we just 64 00:03:17,600 --> 00:03:19,630 Speaker 2: decided that yeah, we're going to have her at our 65 00:03:19,639 --> 00:03:22,350 Speaker 2: house at my home. And yeah, that's how it all 66 00:03:22,360 --> 00:03:22,809 Speaker 2: started. 67 00:03:22,820 --> 00:03:25,229 Speaker 1: You must have had some kind of conversation 68 00:03:25,580 --> 00:03:29,699 Speaker 1: with your husband and your Children also about bringing grandma home. 69 00:03:29,710 --> 00:03:31,259 Speaker 1: What was that conversation like? 70 00:03:31,270 --> 00:03:31,500 Speaker 2: I'm 71 00:03:31,508 --> 00:03:33,839 Speaker 2: very thankful that my husband is a family man, but 72 00:03:33,850 --> 00:03:38,320 Speaker 2: to be realistic, he is not based in Singapore. Ok, 73 00:03:38,330 --> 00:03:40,130 Speaker 2: I was a teacher before this. So I left full 74 00:03:40,139 --> 00:03:43,029 Speaker 2: time work looking for something that's flexible that I can 75 00:03:43,039 --> 00:03:44,559 Speaker 2: be with the Children. And yeah, if you are a 76 00:03:44,570 --> 00:03:47,259 Speaker 2: traveling husband, anybody with a traveling spouse will tell you 77 00:03:47,270 --> 00:03:47,520 Speaker 2: that 78 00:03:47,850 --> 00:03:49,880 Speaker 2: there must be a parent at home. But when I 79 00:03:49,889 --> 00:03:52,240 Speaker 2: talked to him about it, I was surprised he was 80 00:03:52,250 --> 00:03:54,669 Speaker 2: actually saying that, oh, every time I look at your grandma, 81 00:03:54,679 --> 00:03:56,220 Speaker 2: I always thought I wanted to take care of her. 82 00:03:56,229 --> 00:03:59,259 Speaker 2: And I'm like, oh, ok. Ok. I never knew, I 83 00:03:59,270 --> 00:04:01,300 Speaker 2: never knew, you know, grandma is very independent. She's always 84 00:04:01,309 --> 00:04:02,839 Speaker 2: in and out of the house. But I think what 85 00:04:02,850 --> 00:04:04,869 Speaker 2: crosses his mind would be one day this 86 00:04:05,225 --> 00:04:07,964 Speaker 2: old strong lady is going to get really old and 87 00:04:07,975 --> 00:04:10,824 Speaker 2: really sick. Right. So yeah, so we talked about that 88 00:04:10,835 --> 00:04:12,764 Speaker 2: and I think that made it a lot easier to 89 00:04:12,774 --> 00:04:14,514 Speaker 2: know that I had to buy in. But I also 90 00:04:14,524 --> 00:04:17,304 Speaker 2: knew that because he, he travels a bit, I would 91 00:04:17,315 --> 00:04:20,095 Speaker 2: have to have. Right. And I'm thinking of my aunts, 92 00:04:20,105 --> 00:04:21,845 Speaker 2: my mom, this is my mother's mother. 93 00:04:22,339 --> 00:04:25,269 Speaker 2: They are all in the sixties, seventies. I don't think 94 00:04:25,279 --> 00:04:27,239 Speaker 2: that they will be coming over every day, you know. 95 00:04:27,250 --> 00:04:29,690 Speaker 2: So that's when I decided I said if I, if 96 00:04:29,700 --> 00:04:31,678 Speaker 2: I was going to do this, it would have to 97 00:04:31,690 --> 00:04:34,260 Speaker 2: be with the help of a helper. So we never 98 00:04:34,269 --> 00:04:35,709 Speaker 2: had a helper. Never 99 00:04:36,589 --> 00:04:37,209 Speaker 1: until 100 00:04:37,220 --> 00:04:39,750 Speaker 2: now. Yes, but bless her. She is a gem. 101 00:04:39,760 --> 00:04:42,230 Speaker 1: I wanted to get a better understanding of what you 102 00:04:42,238 --> 00:04:45,428 Speaker 1: had to do to prepare for grandma coming home. You 103 00:04:45,440 --> 00:04:48,290 Speaker 1: needed to set up your home for obviously because after 104 00:04:48,299 --> 00:04:52,040 Speaker 1: the stroke, I imagine she was pretty immobile. So take 105 00:04:52,049 --> 00:04:54,769 Speaker 1: us through the key things that you needed for the 106 00:04:54,779 --> 00:04:58,529 Speaker 1: house to prepare for her arrival and how much they 107 00:04:58,540 --> 00:04:59,010 Speaker 1: cost. 108 00:04:59,019 --> 00:05:01,440 Speaker 2: So, I think before all that, I honestly had no 109 00:05:01,450 --> 00:05:03,820 Speaker 2: idea what was going to happen. Right. We thought, ok, 110 00:05:03,829 --> 00:05:05,049 Speaker 2: take her home and that's it. 111 00:05:05,390 --> 00:05:07,619 Speaker 2: So it was very interesting at the hospital when the 112 00:05:07,630 --> 00:05:10,269 Speaker 2: doctors were the ones to actually ask us. So, can 113 00:05:10,279 --> 00:05:12,928 Speaker 2: I understand what's the caregiving situation like who's going to 114 00:05:12,940 --> 00:05:15,219 Speaker 2: care for her? And then, yeah, they will ask you 115 00:05:15,230 --> 00:05:17,880 Speaker 2: a lot of questions. And then the physiotherapist also comes 116 00:05:17,890 --> 00:05:20,369 Speaker 2: in quite a bit and ask you about your home 117 00:05:20,380 --> 00:05:20,928 Speaker 2: setup 118 00:05:21,290 --> 00:05:22,670 Speaker 2: at the end of the day. They just wanted to 119 00:05:22,678 --> 00:05:25,070 Speaker 2: know whether my home is viable for her. Of course, 120 00:05:25,079 --> 00:05:28,109 Speaker 2: the only thing though I didn't have certain things, for example, 121 00:05:28,119 --> 00:05:30,649 Speaker 2: because none of us are wheelchair bound. So we didn't 122 00:05:30,660 --> 00:05:32,969 Speaker 2: have a ramp for the three steps. So we actually 123 00:05:32,980 --> 00:05:35,519 Speaker 2: had to carry her whenever we go for the daycare 124 00:05:35,529 --> 00:05:38,170 Speaker 2: therapy and things like that. She had a second stroke 125 00:05:38,178 --> 00:05:41,709 Speaker 2: in October last year. So that's, yeah. So, so now 126 00:05:41,720 --> 00:05:44,579 Speaker 2: she's mostly bed bound. But during the first year, yeah, 127 00:05:44,589 --> 00:05:46,729 Speaker 2: the three, the three steps in front of our house 128 00:05:46,738 --> 00:05:48,429 Speaker 2: was a bit of a struggle to get through. 129 00:05:48,928 --> 00:05:52,089 Speaker 2: And also we had to have a hospital bed that 130 00:05:52,100 --> 00:05:55,000 Speaker 2: also came part of the discharge. They have a subsidy 131 00:05:55,010 --> 00:05:57,290 Speaker 2: for that. And then you get to choose what are 132 00:05:57,299 --> 00:05:59,299 Speaker 2: the things that you need and that there was a 133 00:05:59,309 --> 00:06:01,350 Speaker 2: lot of navigation on, where is she going to sleep? 134 00:06:01,359 --> 00:06:02,808 Speaker 2: How is she going to sleep? Where is my helper 135 00:06:02,820 --> 00:06:04,690 Speaker 2: going to sleep? So, those are the things that we 136 00:06:04,700 --> 00:06:06,290 Speaker 2: had to take into consideration. 137 00:06:06,709 --> 00:06:09,630 Speaker 1: Yeah. Ok. Was there, were there a lot of obstacles 138 00:06:09,640 --> 00:06:11,519 Speaker 1: in this navigation for you? 139 00:06:11,670 --> 00:06:11,760 Speaker 2: I 140 00:06:11,769 --> 00:06:14,070 Speaker 2: would say during the first year, I think the wheelchair 141 00:06:14,079 --> 00:06:16,450 Speaker 2: thing was a little bit hard, you know, making her 142 00:06:16,459 --> 00:06:17,500 Speaker 2: move around. And 143 00:06:17,790 --> 00:06:20,609 Speaker 2: a lot of people think that when stroke patients come 144 00:06:20,619 --> 00:06:23,099 Speaker 2: home and that's it, right? They just lie on the 145 00:06:23,109 --> 00:06:26,409 Speaker 2: bed in the wheelchair. But actually there's a physiotherapy component 146 00:06:26,869 --> 00:06:29,649 Speaker 2: and that aspect. So, although yes, we bring her to 147 00:06:29,660 --> 00:06:32,130 Speaker 2: physiotherapy where there are all these machines and all that 148 00:06:32,140 --> 00:06:35,119 Speaker 2: to help her strengthen herself. Actually at home, you do 149 00:06:35,130 --> 00:06:38,089 Speaker 2: need to walk her around and do some exercising. 150 00:06:38,238 --> 00:06:41,839 Speaker 1: Talk to me more about the breakdown of the costs 151 00:06:41,850 --> 00:06:44,988 Speaker 1: that you needed to factor in when you were setting 152 00:06:45,000 --> 00:06:47,988 Speaker 1: up your home. You talked about the hospital bed, there 153 00:06:48,000 --> 00:06:50,399 Speaker 1: was the wheelchair, the physiotherapist. What 154 00:06:50,467 --> 00:06:54,826 Speaker 1: the other, I guess the other aspects in the periphery 155 00:06:54,837 --> 00:06:57,846 Speaker 1: nurse visits, that sort of stuff. How much roughly were 156 00:06:57,856 --> 00:06:58,587 Speaker 1: you set back 157 00:06:58,596 --> 00:06:59,157 Speaker 1: by these? 158 00:06:59,416 --> 00:07:01,647 Speaker 2: Ok. So I mentioned that there were two stages, right. 159 00:07:01,657 --> 00:07:03,796 Speaker 2: In the earlier part, I would say y diapers is 160 00:07:03,807 --> 00:07:08,337 Speaker 2: definitely consumables, the daycare, the therapy that would be quite 161 00:07:08,346 --> 00:07:11,747 Speaker 2: a significant cost. But because my grandmother still owns her 162 00:07:11,756 --> 00:07:13,967 Speaker 2: house Right. So we didn't take her name. 163 00:07:14,063 --> 00:07:17,234 Speaker 2: That the good thing about all these things is they 164 00:07:17,243 --> 00:07:21,954 Speaker 2: do means testing. Ok. So, so she qualified for some subsidies, 165 00:07:21,963 --> 00:07:24,183 Speaker 2: but still the daycare was about a few 100 or 166 00:07:24,194 --> 00:07:28,023 Speaker 2: 304 $100 on its own. So you have the diapers 167 00:07:28,033 --> 00:07:29,944 Speaker 2: and at the time she was still eating. So we 168 00:07:29,954 --> 00:07:33,243 Speaker 2: had to cook for her and all that um hospital visits, 169 00:07:33,253 --> 00:07:37,574 Speaker 2: grab rides, car rides, um any kind of uh transportation 170 00:07:37,661 --> 00:07:41,390 Speaker 2: to the medical institution now that she's under palliative care. 171 00:07:41,730 --> 00:07:44,740 Speaker 2: Um So when we brought her first from the hospital, 172 00:07:44,751 --> 00:07:46,811 Speaker 2: it has to be by a private ambulance. So I 173 00:07:46,821 --> 00:07:49,010 Speaker 2: think caregivers out there would know if you were to 174 00:07:49,020 --> 00:07:51,851 Speaker 2: use a private ambulance. Um Yeah, there will be cost 175 00:07:51,860 --> 00:07:52,101 Speaker 2: to it. 176 00:07:52,770 --> 00:07:54,661 Speaker 1: How much would that would the trip cost 177 00:07:54,670 --> 00:07:57,040 Speaker 2: like that? I think when we first got her back 178 00:07:57,050 --> 00:07:59,901 Speaker 2: to the hospital for a follow up visit not knowing 179 00:07:59,911 --> 00:08:01,101 Speaker 2: that actually we didn't need to. 180 00:08:02,920 --> 00:08:03,480 Speaker 1: That's ok. 181 00:08:03,750 --> 00:08:03,790 Speaker 1: That's 182 00:08:04,519 --> 00:08:05,190 Speaker 1: hindsight. 183 00:08:05,829 --> 00:08:08,630 Speaker 2: So once you bring back a palliative patient, actually, the 184 00:08:08,640 --> 00:08:11,809 Speaker 2: community hospital, if you choose to have someone come to 185 00:08:11,820 --> 00:08:14,559 Speaker 2: your house to look at your family member, it takes 186 00:08:14,570 --> 00:08:16,529 Speaker 2: a bit of time for them to sort out that process. 187 00:08:16,540 --> 00:08:18,600 Speaker 2: So I didn't know. So I just thought ok, so 188 00:08:18,609 --> 00:08:20,470 Speaker 2: this is how it's going to be like I'm going 189 00:08:20,480 --> 00:08:22,010 Speaker 2: to get an ambulance every time we need to go 190 00:08:22,019 --> 00:08:24,149 Speaker 2: to the poly didn't make sense at the point in 191 00:08:24,160 --> 00:08:25,940 Speaker 2: time thinking, how is this going to work out? But 192 00:08:25,950 --> 00:08:27,940 Speaker 2: let's just do it. So that easily said 193 00:08:28,032 --> 00:08:31,712 Speaker 2: that's about $200 per trip, per trip. Yeah. But thankfully 194 00:08:31,721 --> 00:08:35,210 Speaker 2: after that, we discovered that actually, yeah, we had the 195 00:08:35,221 --> 00:08:38,670 Speaker 2: privilege of having palliative doctors and nurses coming in to 196 00:08:38,682 --> 00:08:42,341 Speaker 2: see her and again, because she's under subsidy, she had 197 00:08:42,351 --> 00:08:46,290 Speaker 2: certain subsidies like a single visit. We had a physiotherapist 198 00:08:46,302 --> 00:08:49,442 Speaker 2: come in once. That was easily 100 and 60 without 199 00:08:49,452 --> 00:08:51,961 Speaker 2: the subsidy. Wow. So the good thing though, I'm very 200 00:08:51,971 --> 00:08:53,290 Speaker 2: glad that our social workers 201 00:08:53,544 --> 00:08:55,613 Speaker 2: have always been very proactive and reaching out to us 202 00:08:55,624 --> 00:08:58,064 Speaker 2: to explain to us that there are these options. So 203 00:08:58,073 --> 00:09:00,814 Speaker 2: we also had a speech therapist because my grandmother is 204 00:09:00,823 --> 00:09:04,104 Speaker 2: on NGT, she's on a feeding tube. So we were 205 00:09:04,114 --> 00:09:06,054 Speaker 2: also trying to wean her off the tube. And so 206 00:09:06,064 --> 00:09:07,754 Speaker 2: we had that. But yeah, the hospital will work out 207 00:09:07,763 --> 00:09:10,244 Speaker 2: with you giving you the expectation of how many sessions 208 00:09:10,254 --> 00:09:11,403 Speaker 2: do you want to actually take 209 00:09:11,414 --> 00:09:11,744 Speaker 2: up? 210 00:09:11,754 --> 00:09:14,823 Speaker 1: I see you mentioned subsidies earlier, I wanted to talk 211 00:09:14,833 --> 00:09:18,633 Speaker 1: about that. What kind of subsidies are actually available for care? 212 00:09:18,716 --> 00:09:21,366 Speaker 1: Give us here in this context, especially in the context 213 00:09:21,375 --> 00:09:22,875 Speaker 1: of you and your grandma. OK. 214 00:09:22,885 --> 00:09:25,685 Speaker 2: So I talk about subsidies to do with the community 215 00:09:25,695 --> 00:09:27,976 Speaker 2: palliative care, right? I think that it is a bit 216 00:09:27,986 --> 00:09:32,035 Speaker 2: more personalized to your condition, to your situation. But I 217 00:09:32,046 --> 00:09:35,005 Speaker 2: the ones that we have always been getting consistently ever 218 00:09:35,015 --> 00:09:37,705 Speaker 2: since she was first diagnosed in 2022 would be the 219 00:09:37,716 --> 00:09:41,236 Speaker 2: home care giving grant. I always tell my friends reach 220 00:09:41,245 --> 00:09:43,825 Speaker 2: out to your social workers, ask for a IC. 221 00:09:45,179 --> 00:09:47,429 Speaker 1: You heard it here, the Money talk podcast. 222 00:09:47,820 --> 00:09:50,569 Speaker 2: So A I basically stands for agency for integrated care 223 00:09:50,580 --> 00:09:53,830 Speaker 2: and they are really quite comprehensive. It all depends on 224 00:09:53,840 --> 00:09:56,890 Speaker 2: the adl's or what they call the activities of daily living. Right? 225 00:09:56,900 --> 00:09:59,968 Speaker 2: So that's how they diagnose or they kind of assess 226 00:10:00,119 --> 00:10:03,020 Speaker 2: how much help you need. And also because my grandma 227 00:10:03,030 --> 00:10:05,909 Speaker 2: is already 90 she does qualify for quite a number 228 00:10:05,919 --> 00:10:08,700 Speaker 2: of things. So currently we are on two grants. One 229 00:10:08,710 --> 00:10:09,848 Speaker 2: is a home care giving grant. 230 00:10:10,059 --> 00:10:12,969 Speaker 2: I'm just stating the range that I'm familiar with. So 231 00:10:12,979 --> 00:10:16,329 Speaker 2: we had a range of 250 then to 400 a month, 232 00:10:16,679 --> 00:10:19,900 Speaker 2: which is actually quite sizable. Yeah, they don't really tell 233 00:10:19,909 --> 00:10:21,419 Speaker 2: you what to use it for. So we use it 234 00:10:21,429 --> 00:10:24,890 Speaker 2: either for the helper fees, your salary. This is something 235 00:10:24,900 --> 00:10:26,710 Speaker 2: that many people may not be aware of, but there 236 00:10:26,719 --> 00:10:29,150 Speaker 2: are actually paid caregivers that you can get to come 237 00:10:29,159 --> 00:10:31,869 Speaker 2: to your house. I see you can call one that 238 00:10:31,880 --> 00:10:34,960 Speaker 2: is nurse certified, so she can do nursing things like 239 00:10:35,260 --> 00:10:38,229 Speaker 2: she can change the catheters and change the tubes for 240 00:10:38,239 --> 00:10:40,049 Speaker 2: us because we are trained. So my helper and I 241 00:10:40,059 --> 00:10:43,329 Speaker 2: we actually train in lifting her in feeding her tube, 242 00:10:43,340 --> 00:10:45,090 Speaker 2: feeding her. We don't really need someone to do that 243 00:10:45,099 --> 00:10:47,738 Speaker 2: for us, but we do need help with lifting. So, 244 00:10:47,750 --> 00:10:49,729 Speaker 2: for example, if I'm not at home or my husband 245 00:10:49,739 --> 00:10:51,679 Speaker 2: is not, he's not based in Singapore for that week. 246 00:10:51,859 --> 00:10:54,419 Speaker 2: It's quite hard to carry on our own. Yeah. Yeah. 247 00:10:54,429 --> 00:10:56,640 Speaker 2: So that's why we will get a caregiver to come 248 00:10:56,650 --> 00:10:58,400 Speaker 2: for two or three hours. Wow. 249 00:10:58,580 --> 00:11:01,400 Speaker 1: It's great that there's no option. And how much would 250 00:11:01,409 --> 00:11:03,219 Speaker 1: it cost to hire someone 251 00:11:03,229 --> 00:11:03,539 Speaker 1: like that? 252 00:11:03,820 --> 00:11:06,270 Speaker 2: I would say that for about 2 to 3 hours. 253 00:11:06,280 --> 00:11:08,200 Speaker 2: And it is the company that I, I get help 254 00:11:08,210 --> 00:11:12,859 Speaker 2: from about 70 $80. Sometimes if it's a weekend or 255 00:11:12,869 --> 00:11:14,789 Speaker 2: a public holiday, it might go up to 100. It 256 00:11:14,799 --> 00:11:15,650 Speaker 2: all depends. 257 00:11:15,719 --> 00:11:19,650 Speaker 1: Right. And how much have all of these subsidies helped 258 00:11:19,659 --> 00:11:23,489 Speaker 1: in reducing your overall expenses in caring for grandma? 259 00:11:23,909 --> 00:11:26,489 Speaker 2: Ok. So I would say that the biggest fees are 260 00:11:26,500 --> 00:11:28,849 Speaker 2: actually the helper fees, you know, um, per salaries. I 261 00:11:28,859 --> 00:11:30,218 Speaker 2: think a lot of people would also be in the 262 00:11:30,229 --> 00:11:32,239 Speaker 2: same boat when you want to get a helper. 263 00:11:32,729 --> 00:11:35,710 Speaker 2: Right? People will talk about, oh, what kind, how many 264 00:11:35,719 --> 00:11:38,179 Speaker 2: years of experience or get a new one? Because they 265 00:11:38,190 --> 00:11:40,059 Speaker 2: are cheap and all that. But I knew from the 266 00:11:40,070 --> 00:11:41,780 Speaker 2: start that I wanted someone independent. 267 00:11:42,150 --> 00:11:45,689 Speaker 2: I wanted someone that I could trust, living on her own. 268 00:11:45,809 --> 00:11:48,150 Speaker 2: So actually you can employ the helper under the patient. 269 00:11:48,159 --> 00:11:51,229 Speaker 2: I see to qualify for the levy. Right. But in 270 00:11:51,239 --> 00:11:53,689 Speaker 2: my case, I felt that. It's a bit complicated if 271 00:11:53,700 --> 00:11:55,729 Speaker 2: she's staying with me. I felt that ok. I'll just 272 00:11:55,739 --> 00:11:58,090 Speaker 2: employ her. Ok. So, yes. So she does help me 273 00:11:58,099 --> 00:12:00,500 Speaker 2: with managing the household in a sense that's part of 274 00:12:00,510 --> 00:12:02,869 Speaker 2: her job scope. Getting a helper who is experienced, that's 275 00:12:02,880 --> 00:12:05,520 Speaker 2: easily 708 $100. So I would say 276 00:12:05,770 --> 00:12:08,250 Speaker 2: my husband and I will shoulder that cost or rather myself. So, 277 00:12:08,260 --> 00:12:10,919 Speaker 2: between myself and my husband, we segregate, my husband will 278 00:12:10,929 --> 00:12:13,289 Speaker 2: handle the household finances. I see, I will show the 279 00:12:13,299 --> 00:12:16,549 Speaker 2: most if not all of the finances for my grandma 280 00:12:16,950 --> 00:12:19,349 Speaker 2: or whatever, you know, on top of the family contributions, 281 00:12:19,520 --> 00:12:22,988 Speaker 2: on top of the subsidies, contributions and all that. But 282 00:12:23,000 --> 00:12:25,419 Speaker 2: the thing is when she got the second stroke, she 283 00:12:25,429 --> 00:12:27,739 Speaker 2: had to be on a milk feed. So that shocked 284 00:12:27,750 --> 00:12:29,270 Speaker 2: us a little bit when we found out 285 00:12:30,130 --> 00:12:34,590 Speaker 2: a tray of 30 bottles of milk is easily 100 286 00:12:34,599 --> 00:12:37,228 Speaker 2: and $50 and she needs three bottles a day. 287 00:12:37,239 --> 00:12:37,919 Speaker 1: Wow. 288 00:12:38,460 --> 00:12:41,210 Speaker 1: Wow, that's just added cost. All of a sudden, 289 00:12:41,299 --> 00:12:43,429 Speaker 2: I wanted to add on to that. There were other things, 290 00:12:43,500 --> 00:12:45,929 Speaker 2: there are other things that we got in the pioneer generation. 291 00:12:45,940 --> 00:12:49,820 Speaker 2: They actually have this disability assistance scheme, pioneer desk. That's right. 292 00:12:49,960 --> 00:12:53,900 Speaker 2: So that's about $100. Ok. And then after that, because 293 00:12:53,909 --> 00:12:54,429 Speaker 2: when she got 294 00:12:54,534 --> 00:12:57,775 Speaker 2: the second stroke, she is considered under palliative. The Community 295 00:12:57,784 --> 00:13:01,794 Speaker 2: hospital actually got us a further subsidy which allows us 296 00:13:01,804 --> 00:13:05,494 Speaker 2: to actually buy things consumables. The milk feeds at a 297 00:13:05,505 --> 00:13:08,414 Speaker 2: discounted price, a subsidized price. But they give us a 298 00:13:08,424 --> 00:13:11,275 Speaker 2: lump sum and it's like a credit system. Right. So, 299 00:13:11,284 --> 00:13:13,875 Speaker 2: every year you get $2000 and it has to last 300 00:13:13,885 --> 00:13:15,424 Speaker 2: you for the whole year. So it's up to you 301 00:13:15,434 --> 00:13:16,334 Speaker 2: how you want to 302 00:13:16,344 --> 00:13:18,155 Speaker 1: have, you found that useful 303 00:13:19,369 --> 00:13:21,359 Speaker 1: every dollar counts, doesn't 304 00:13:21,369 --> 00:13:21,390 Speaker 1: it? 305 00:13:21,400 --> 00:13:24,599 Speaker 2: Exactly. Exactly. So, I just take 2000 divided by 12. 306 00:13:25,190 --> 00:13:26,150 Speaker 1: That's how you 307 00:13:26,159 --> 00:13:28,590 Speaker 2: budget. I know that every month I have a certain 308 00:13:28,599 --> 00:13:31,349 Speaker 2: amount that is set aside for buying the consumables and 309 00:13:31,359 --> 00:13:32,549 Speaker 2: the milk feeds and all that. 310 00:13:33,010 --> 00:13:33,789 Speaker 2: So, 311 00:13:33,929 --> 00:13:38,299 Speaker 1: yeah. Wow. I'm just overwhelmed right now by the expenses. 312 00:13:38,309 --> 00:13:39,309 Speaker 1: I don't know how you're just 313 00:13:39,666 --> 00:13:42,366 Speaker 1: staying calm and talking to me about this. 314 00:13:42,375 --> 00:13:43,645 Speaker 2: It's been a journey. 315 00:13:43,655 --> 00:13:45,045 Speaker 1: Oh, yeah, I bet. 316 00:13:45,245 --> 00:13:47,645 Speaker 2: And in a way I feel that it gets better 317 00:13:47,655 --> 00:13:50,635 Speaker 2: over time once you realize your priorities and I'm very 318 00:13:50,645 --> 00:13:53,015 Speaker 2: open with my family because my aunts are very old. 319 00:13:53,416 --> 00:13:55,905 Speaker 2: My mom, they're not working full time. One is retired 320 00:13:55,916 --> 00:13:57,955 Speaker 2: and all that. So I tell them you give me 321 00:13:57,966 --> 00:13:59,315 Speaker 2: whatever you can but whatever 322 00:13:59,401 --> 00:14:01,502 Speaker 2: where it is, other than the helper fees and all that, 323 00:14:01,511 --> 00:14:03,502 Speaker 2: if you can't cover whatever it is I'll do it. 324 00:14:03,511 --> 00:14:07,302 Speaker 2: You know, we're realistic and yeah, finding the best deals like, 325 00:14:07,312 --> 00:14:11,231 Speaker 2: you know, instead of buying at Watsons, sorry Watsons go 326 00:14:11,341 --> 00:14:12,372 Speaker 2: shop and find like, 327 00:14:13,341 --> 00:14:16,562 Speaker 1: you know, earlier you talked about some of the financial 328 00:14:16,572 --> 00:14:19,302 Speaker 1: support that's available to you as a caregiver, 329 00:14:19,640 --> 00:14:22,700 Speaker 1: be it palliative care or any other kind of care? 330 00:14:22,830 --> 00:14:26,640 Speaker 1: Was there, was there anything that you wish had been 331 00:14:26,650 --> 00:14:28,729 Speaker 1: subsidized or covered by Medisave? 332 00:14:29,190 --> 00:14:32,219 Speaker 2: I personally feel this the helper fees, it can be 333 00:14:32,229 --> 00:14:35,140 Speaker 2: quite heavy if you factor in things. Like, you know, 334 00:14:35,150 --> 00:14:37,260 Speaker 2: when you first get the helper, there is actually an 335 00:14:37,270 --> 00:14:40,200 Speaker 2: upfront cost that not many people are aware of. It 336 00:14:40,210 --> 00:14:43,580 Speaker 2: can easily be up to 3 to $4000 this upfront cost. 337 00:14:43,590 --> 00:14:44,539 Speaker 2: And I always wonder 338 00:14:44,929 --> 00:14:48,210 Speaker 2: for people who can't afford that, that amount, what do 339 00:14:48,219 --> 00:14:49,809 Speaker 2: they do? Do they just suck it in and then 340 00:14:49,820 --> 00:14:51,849 Speaker 2: leave their jobs. How do you cope with that? I 341 00:14:51,859 --> 00:14:54,539 Speaker 2: honestly feel that's the main thing, you know, when my 342 00:14:54,549 --> 00:14:56,429 Speaker 2: grandma was still mobile and we were still sending her 343 00:14:56,440 --> 00:14:59,570 Speaker 2: for polyclinic checkups. I was amazed at the kind of 344 00:14:59,580 --> 00:15:00,219 Speaker 2: caregivers I was 345 00:15:00,335 --> 00:15:04,614 Speaker 2: seeing, I was seeing university students, poly students and I 346 00:15:04,625 --> 00:15:07,265 Speaker 2: think the most heartbreaking was the elderly, taking care of. 347 00:15:07,275 --> 00:15:09,625 Speaker 2: The elderly is really going to be quite common. I 348 00:15:09,635 --> 00:15:11,424 Speaker 2: saw a 70 year old pushing a 90 year old 349 00:15:11,434 --> 00:15:14,135 Speaker 2: in a wheelchair. And I always wonder for families who 350 00:15:14,145 --> 00:15:15,635 Speaker 2: cannot afford a helper. 351 00:15:16,419 --> 00:15:17,219 Speaker 2: What else can we 352 00:15:17,229 --> 00:15:17,479 Speaker 2: do? 353 00:15:17,489 --> 00:15:19,130 Speaker 1: What are the options available? Right. 354 00:15:19,140 --> 00:15:19,179 Speaker 2: I 355 00:15:19,190 --> 00:15:22,510 Speaker 2: know there's daycare, daycare also comes with cost and like 356 00:15:22,520 --> 00:15:26,789 Speaker 2: the childcare, if the patient or the family member is unwell, 357 00:15:26,799 --> 00:15:29,090 Speaker 2: somebody's got to take some kind of family care leave. 358 00:15:29,099 --> 00:15:30,179 Speaker 1: Yeah, who's going to be 359 00:15:30,190 --> 00:15:31,520 Speaker 1: the emergency contact. Right. 360 00:15:32,219 --> 00:15:32,919 Speaker 2: Exactly. 361 00:15:32,950 --> 00:15:33,229 Speaker 1: Do you 362 00:15:33,239 --> 00:15:36,239 Speaker 1: know what's covered by Medisave and what's not? Was that confusing? 363 00:15:36,409 --> 00:15:38,950 Speaker 2: I think that was quite clear. So I know that 364 00:15:38,960 --> 00:15:41,080 Speaker 2: when you are at the hospital, if you're warded, right. 365 00:15:41,090 --> 00:15:43,700 Speaker 2: So that would be helpful. The Medisave and I think 366 00:15:43,710 --> 00:15:45,979 Speaker 2: there are things like Medishield and Eldershield and all that. 367 00:15:45,989 --> 00:15:48,890 Speaker 2: The polyclinic visits are also covered by Medisave up to 368 00:15:48,900 --> 00:15:51,489 Speaker 2: a certain amount each year for chronic diseases. So I 369 00:15:51,500 --> 00:15:52,239 Speaker 2: think if you're about 370 00:15:52,474 --> 00:15:54,885 Speaker 2: of the age of 60 or something, you can actually 371 00:15:55,065 --> 00:15:59,494 Speaker 2: pay off your polyclinic bills through Medisave. That's right. And 372 00:15:59,505 --> 00:16:01,474 Speaker 2: for a period of time before my grandma got her 373 00:16:01,484 --> 00:16:04,494 Speaker 2: second stroke, we were seeing a geriatrician at a hospital 374 00:16:04,505 --> 00:16:06,505 Speaker 2: because she had dementia before this. So she had a 375 00:16:06,515 --> 00:16:10,075 Speaker 2: lot of sleep problems and a caregiver friend was telling me, hey, 376 00:16:10,085 --> 00:16:11,525 Speaker 2: you know what, why don't you just bring her to 377 00:16:11,534 --> 00:16:12,655 Speaker 2: see a geriatrician 378 00:16:12,929 --> 00:16:15,869 Speaker 2: because they're trained to look at geriatric care and all that. 379 00:16:16,020 --> 00:16:17,890 Speaker 2: So they would be able to help you. So we 380 00:16:17,900 --> 00:16:20,729 Speaker 2: were able to actually offset those kind of visits with 381 00:16:20,739 --> 00:16:21,950 Speaker 2: Medisave as well. 382 00:16:21,960 --> 00:16:23,049 Speaker 1: Wow, that's really 383 00:16:23,059 --> 00:16:23,909 Speaker 1: come in handy for 384 00:16:23,919 --> 00:16:24,109 Speaker 1: you. 385 00:16:24,119 --> 00:16:26,159 Speaker 2: But to talk about Medisave itself, I think we're just 386 00:16:26,169 --> 00:16:29,700 Speaker 2: lucky because my aunt, so just a bit of a backtrack, 387 00:16:29,710 --> 00:16:32,059 Speaker 2: my grandma lost her husband at a very early age. 388 00:16:32,250 --> 00:16:34,710 Speaker 2: So even before my parents got married, my grandfather was 389 00:16:34,719 --> 00:16:36,510 Speaker 2: no longer around, but my aunt 390 00:16:36,594 --> 00:16:39,385 Speaker 2: had that foresight and attend the age of 25. I 391 00:16:39,395 --> 00:16:42,255 Speaker 2: don't know how she was putting in money in her 392 00:16:42,265 --> 00:16:47,674 Speaker 2: medicine in my grandmother's me up till retirement in 2021. Wow. 393 00:16:48,114 --> 00:16:49,695 Speaker 2: I don't know if you know what is video party 394 00:16:49,934 --> 00:16:53,195 Speaker 2: that is? Yeah. And she was also paying for a 395 00:16:53,205 --> 00:16:56,674 Speaker 2: hospitalization insurance for my grandma. What the thing is, we 396 00:16:56,684 --> 00:17:00,135 Speaker 2: never had to use it because grandma was never admitted. Right. 397 00:17:00,570 --> 00:17:03,299 Speaker 2: And that really helped a lot because, and I didn't 398 00:17:03,309 --> 00:17:06,479 Speaker 2: know this right. When I first entered into this whole equation, 399 00:17:06,489 --> 00:17:09,879 Speaker 2: I was thinking, ok, I've been working for a while. 400 00:17:10,209 --> 00:17:13,409 Speaker 2: I have medicine. You know, my aunts also have medicine. 401 00:17:13,420 --> 00:17:16,150 Speaker 2: My mom has Medisave. We'll just use someone's medicine. And 402 00:17:16,160 --> 00:17:19,040 Speaker 2: then when I checked into the amount and I'm like, oh, 403 00:17:19,050 --> 00:17:20,550 Speaker 2: this is a sizable amount. 404 00:17:20,560 --> 00:17:21,489 Speaker 1: I think it will be all right. 405 00:17:21,500 --> 00:17:22,680 Speaker 2: She worked all her life. 406 00:17:22,699 --> 00:17:24,889 Speaker 1: Well, bless your aunt then yes, 407 00:17:25,619 --> 00:17:27,869 Speaker 1: this is a big lesson in why it's important to 408 00:17:27,880 --> 00:17:31,359 Speaker 1: start early because you really never know what will happen. 409 00:17:31,369 --> 00:17:34,219 Speaker 1: And when it will happen, you talked about how you 410 00:17:34,229 --> 00:17:37,149 Speaker 1: separate your expenses. So your husband takes care of the 411 00:17:37,160 --> 00:17:40,109 Speaker 1: household and family expenditure. You just take care of grandma 412 00:17:40,560 --> 00:17:43,869 Speaker 1: and that's sorted. But you have kids. Surely you think 413 00:17:43,880 --> 00:17:47,599 Speaker 1: about taking holidays, stuff like that. I just want to 414 00:17:47,609 --> 00:17:52,910 Speaker 1: know what's one financial sacrifice that you've had to make 415 00:17:52,920 --> 00:17:54,750 Speaker 1: since being a caregiver. 416 00:17:55,520 --> 00:17:56,300 Speaker 2: Um 417 00:17:56,750 --> 00:18:00,300 Speaker 2: Actually, it's, it's I would say that uh my my 418 00:18:00,310 --> 00:18:02,530 Speaker 2: Children are all very big now. Right. So initially, the 419 00:18:02,540 --> 00:18:05,089 Speaker 2: plan was I take some time to do flexible work 420 00:18:05,319 --> 00:18:07,680 Speaker 2: so that I can focus on the kids growing up now. 421 00:18:07,689 --> 00:18:09,479 Speaker 2: They are in primary school. So my youngest is eight, 422 00:18:09,489 --> 00:18:13,609 Speaker 2: my eldest is taking PSLE this year. So I felt that, oh, 423 00:18:13,780 --> 00:18:15,709 Speaker 2: it seems like a good time to go back and 424 00:18:15,719 --> 00:18:17,849 Speaker 2: do what I like, go back to work. So I 425 00:18:17,859 --> 00:18:20,369 Speaker 2: would say it's not exactly a financial sacrifice, but it's 426 00:18:20,380 --> 00:18:23,649 Speaker 2: more of like my time now is it's not as 427 00:18:23,660 --> 00:18:26,250 Speaker 2: flexible or free for me to do 428 00:18:26,530 --> 00:18:29,020 Speaker 2: the things that I want to do as fast as 429 00:18:29,030 --> 00:18:29,569 Speaker 2: I want to. 430 00:18:29,579 --> 00:18:31,629 Speaker 1: There's a lot more planning involved. Right. 431 00:18:31,640 --> 00:18:33,790 Speaker 2: Yeah. And, and I always advocate this to my friends 432 00:18:33,800 --> 00:18:35,530 Speaker 2: when I know a lot of my friends, I think 433 00:18:35,540 --> 00:18:37,739 Speaker 2: we are in a similar boat. I'm almost 40. Ok. 434 00:18:37,750 --> 00:18:39,140 Speaker 2: I think this is the age where all my friends 435 00:18:39,150 --> 00:18:41,069 Speaker 2: are also seeing their parents starting to, 436 00:18:41,660 --> 00:18:44,310 Speaker 1: you know, I'm in the same boat, seeing it's mortality. 437 00:18:44,319 --> 00:18:45,270 Speaker 1: It's really hitting you 438 00:18:45,819 --> 00:18:46,619 Speaker 1: in the face. 439 00:18:46,760 --> 00:18:49,030 Speaker 2: So I tell my friends that whatever it is do 440 00:18:49,040 --> 00:18:52,829 Speaker 2: not lose yourself. So I have like, my own professional plans. 441 00:18:52,839 --> 00:18:54,670 Speaker 2: I kind of full time now. Ok. I'll just do 442 00:18:54,680 --> 00:18:57,680 Speaker 2: part time or I'll do something online 443 00:18:57,709 --> 00:18:59,310 Speaker 1: and doesn't mean you can't progress. 444 00:18:59,319 --> 00:19:02,469 Speaker 2: Right. Exactly. Exactly. You talk about holidays. So I would 445 00:19:02,479 --> 00:19:04,050 Speaker 2: say that my kids are easily pleased, 446 00:19:05,209 --> 00:19:08,020 Speaker 2: I think from the start right when we got married, 447 00:19:08,030 --> 00:19:10,729 Speaker 2: I think we we were never big spenders on travel. 448 00:19:10,810 --> 00:19:15,500 Speaker 2: So yeah, your typical Malaysia, Indonesia, the short trips and 449 00:19:15,510 --> 00:19:17,829 Speaker 2: the time spent I think the returns, one of the 450 00:19:17,839 --> 00:19:21,349 Speaker 2: returns would be role modeling, caring for an elderly. And 451 00:19:21,359 --> 00:19:23,139 Speaker 2: I think that's one of the greatest takeaways that I 452 00:19:23,150 --> 00:19:23,920 Speaker 2: that I get. 453 00:19:23,930 --> 00:19:27,510 Speaker 1: That's priceless. If you think about it, that costs so 454 00:19:27,520 --> 00:19:30,939 Speaker 1: much but no money at the same time. Final words 455 00:19:30,949 --> 00:19:32,180 Speaker 1: of advice for, 456 00:19:32,280 --> 00:19:34,159 Speaker 1: for caregivers in your position out 457 00:19:34,170 --> 00:19:34,520 Speaker 1: there, 458 00:19:34,670 --> 00:19:36,290 Speaker 2: I think there are two aspects to it. One of 459 00:19:36,300 --> 00:19:37,938 Speaker 2: it is of course the financial aspect. So I have 460 00:19:37,949 --> 00:19:40,459 Speaker 2: some friends who they are also in the same boat 461 00:19:40,469 --> 00:19:42,250 Speaker 2: as I am. We're doing flexi work and all that. 462 00:19:42,260 --> 00:19:45,280 Speaker 2: And then they have to make decisions to become caregivers 463 00:19:45,290 --> 00:19:47,708 Speaker 2: and I told them never let them forget that 464 00:19:48,469 --> 00:19:50,599 Speaker 2: you have your right to achieve your dreams. It's a 465 00:19:50,609 --> 00:19:53,880 Speaker 2: shared responsibility. I'm blessed to have aunts who are still 466 00:19:53,890 --> 00:19:58,849 Speaker 2: very proactive and responsible and coming to see us contributing financially. 467 00:19:58,859 --> 00:20:02,380 Speaker 2: My aunts won't go for expensive holidays, you know, but 468 00:20:02,390 --> 00:20:04,640 Speaker 2: for people our age, we may have to make some 469 00:20:04,650 --> 00:20:08,050 Speaker 2: kind of, I would say calculated to calculate your expenses. 470 00:20:08,060 --> 00:20:09,609 Speaker 2: You would really have to prepare for it. 471 00:20:09,910 --> 00:20:12,209 Speaker 2: That's one, the other side of the coin is just 472 00:20:12,219 --> 00:20:14,800 Speaker 2: don't lose yourself to this journey. People say it's noble 473 00:20:14,810 --> 00:20:16,689 Speaker 2: and I get a bit not exactly noble. I think 474 00:20:16,699 --> 00:20:19,359 Speaker 2: it is our duty in a sense, especially if you 475 00:20:19,369 --> 00:20:21,579 Speaker 2: feel that in among your family members, you have that 476 00:20:21,589 --> 00:20:25,770 Speaker 2: extra ability or capacity to contribute. And I think that's ok. 477 00:20:25,780 --> 00:20:26,300 Speaker 2: A lot of us 478 00:20:26,415 --> 00:20:28,104 Speaker 2: when I say share the load, I don't mean that 479 00:20:28,114 --> 00:20:30,724 Speaker 2: everybody does the same thing. We play our role if 480 00:20:30,734 --> 00:20:33,334 Speaker 2: you are more financially able, contribute to the best of 481 00:20:33,344 --> 00:20:35,775 Speaker 2: your ability. Exactly. If you're better off at the social 482 00:20:35,795 --> 00:20:38,425 Speaker 2: emotional aspect, ok, come and talk to grandma or if 483 00:20:38,435 --> 00:20:40,145 Speaker 2: you have a space in your house that you can give, 484 00:20:40,155 --> 00:20:42,354 Speaker 2: then offer that space for your family member, 485 00:20:43,099 --> 00:20:46,829 Speaker 1: Nabila. I think what you said there about it being 486 00:20:46,839 --> 00:20:49,410 Speaker 1: noble about people calling what you do noble. I will 487 00:20:49,420 --> 00:20:51,300 Speaker 1: have to agree with them. It is a noble thing 488 00:20:51,310 --> 00:20:54,469 Speaker 1: to do as much as it is our duty to 489 00:20:54,479 --> 00:20:57,800 Speaker 1: come into it. It is a sacrifice no matter how 490 00:20:57,810 --> 00:20:59,639 Speaker 1: and any which way you look at it. 491 00:20:59,900 --> 00:21:02,750 Speaker 1: Uh and it's tough, it's really tough. It takes a 492 00:21:02,810 --> 00:21:06,530 Speaker 1: big heart to do something like this. So thank you 493 00:21:06,540 --> 00:21:09,139 Speaker 1: for coming out time out of your precious schedule, care, 494 00:21:09,270 --> 00:21:12,380 Speaker 1: giving schedule uh to speak with us on money talks today. 495 00:21:12,410 --> 00:21:12,810 Speaker 1: Thank you 496 00:21:12,819 --> 00:21:13,180 Speaker 2: Andrea. 497 00:21:18,069 --> 00:21:21,000 Speaker 1: OK. So before we let you go, there is a segment, 498 00:21:21,010 --> 00:21:22,619 Speaker 1: it's called questions from my hat and we're gonna turn 499 00:21:22,630 --> 00:21:24,609 Speaker 1: the mood around a little bit to something a bit 500 00:21:24,619 --> 00:21:28,900 Speaker 1: more fun. So Nabila, there are five questions in this hat. 501 00:21:28,910 --> 00:21:30,729 Speaker 1: So just pick one hand it to me and I'll 502 00:21:30,739 --> 00:21:31,849 Speaker 1: read it out to you. Ok, 503 00:21:34,260 --> 00:21:41,069 Speaker 1: Nabila. Your question is, oh, what financial advice would you 504 00:21:41,079 --> 00:21:44,280 Speaker 1: give to your 20 year old self? 505 00:21:44,290 --> 00:21:46,800 Speaker 2: Well, 20 year old, what was I, I was in university. 506 00:21:47,089 --> 00:21:48,099 Speaker 2: What would I give? 507 00:21:49,180 --> 00:21:52,800 Speaker 2: It's been so long ago. Yeah, probably. I think to 508 00:21:52,810 --> 00:21:55,170 Speaker 2: actually save more and I think at that point in time, 509 00:21:55,310 --> 00:21:57,208 Speaker 2: many of us would have just started working on the 510 00:21:57,219 --> 00:21:59,890 Speaker 2: side part time and all that. And we feel that, oh, 511 00:21:59,900 --> 00:22:04,250 Speaker 2: we just felt started feeling the independence of having cash flow. 512 00:22:04,380 --> 00:22:06,929 Speaker 2: But now that I, I'm nearing 40 I, I always 513 00:22:06,939 --> 00:22:09,379 Speaker 2: feel that yeah, it would be great if I had 514 00:22:09,390 --> 00:22:10,449 Speaker 2: that foresight, 515 00:22:11,829 --> 00:22:14,560 Speaker 1: it's always on hindsight, isn't it? What would you tell 516 00:22:14,569 --> 00:22:16,939 Speaker 1: your child when he or she turns 20? Then 517 00:22:17,790 --> 00:22:20,489 Speaker 2: I actually, I'm thinking maybe for my Children, I would 518 00:22:20,500 --> 00:22:24,599 Speaker 2: tell them to actually diversify their assets, not just on cash. 519 00:22:25,089 --> 00:22:27,800 Speaker 2: And my husband would also say the same thing that 520 00:22:27,810 --> 00:22:30,430 Speaker 2: you can only start some kind of investment savings or 521 00:22:30,439 --> 00:22:33,680 Speaker 2: something on top of just the cash savings, no matter 522 00:22:33,689 --> 00:22:34,359 Speaker 2: how small 523 00:22:34,689 --> 00:22:36,030 Speaker 2: the principal amount is. 524 00:22:36,040 --> 00:22:37,010 Speaker 1: It absolutely 525 00:22:37,020 --> 00:22:39,189 Speaker 1: makes a whole lot of sense. All right, once again, 526 00:22:39,199 --> 00:22:42,089 Speaker 1: thank you, Nabila. We are really certain that a caregiver 527 00:22:42,099 --> 00:22:46,109 Speaker 1: like yourself listening to this will have a clearer picture 528 00:22:46,119 --> 00:22:49,219 Speaker 1: of what to expect financially. And if you have any 529 00:22:49,229 --> 00:22:51,630 Speaker 1: thoughts or questions about this episode, do 530 00:22:51,714 --> 00:22:55,864 Speaker 1: send us a message. This podcast is available on Apple podcasts, 531 00:22:55,875 --> 00:22:59,494 Speaker 1: Spotify and youtube music. Don't forget to rate us if 532 00:22:59,505 --> 00:23:03,964 Speaker 1: you are enjoying this podcast. Big thanks to the team, 533 00:23:03,974 --> 00:23:08,563 Speaker 1: Christina Robert Tiffany, Ang Jaini Johari, Joanne Chan and Sye Wind. 534 00:23:08,905 --> 00:23:11,574 Speaker 1: I'm Andrea Heng. Thank you for listening to Money Talks.