Objective This study examines distinct types of caregiving experience, each formed by varied combinations of caregiving burden and benefits, and their association with caregiver depressive symptoms and quality of life. Methods: We apply latent profile analysis and multivariable regression to data on 278 caregivers participating in the Caregiving Transitions among Family Caregivers of Elderly Singaporeans (TraCE) study in 2019–2020. Results: We identify four caregiving experience types: (1) balanced (low burden and moderate benefits, 40% of caregivers), (2) satisfied (low burden and high benefits, 33%), (3) intensive (high burden and high benefits, 17%), and (4) dissatisfied (moderate burden and low benefits, 10%). Caregivers with dissatisfied and intensive caregiving experience tend to report higher depressive symptoms and lower quality of life compared to those with satisfied caregiving experience. Discussion: A person-centered approach helps capture the heterogeneity in caregiving experience. Policymakers should develop tailored interventions by caregiving experience types for promoting caregiver well-being.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought about safe distancing measures that are unprecedented. This article details the impact of the pandemic across research studies involving older persons in Singapore, and assesses the different strategies used to adapt to their needs in the context of evolving public health measures. The pandemic exposed diverse experiences of vulnerability among older persons, pushing for critical reflections on ethics of participation and social inclusion as the new research normal. We emphasize the importance of practicing flexibility: consideration for differentiated approaches to recruitment and data collection that should be proactively embedded in research designs for older persons during the pandemic and beyond.

Caregiving-relevant information and services are increasingly available online. Greater understanding of the extent and purpose of their use by family caregivers of older adults and specific caregiver sub-groups that are more or less likely to use them can inform both policies related to and the content of such solutions. We investigated the extent to which family caregivers of older persons in Singapore use digital technology solutions such as the internet and apps, and the purposes for which they use them. Information on digital device use was collected from 278 caregivers. Of them, 139 caregivers gave detailed information on how they had used the internet or apps to support caregiving in the last six months. Most (89%) caregivers used digital devices regularly (mostly smartphones (87%)). Digital device use was associated with caregiver age, ethnicity and education. Common generic online activities included sending instant messages (77%) and surfing websites (64%). While 54% had used the internet to support caregiving (most common purpose: search for information on care-recipient’s health conditions), 43% had used apps to do so (most common purpose: coordinate care with family members or other caregivers). Such use was associated with caregiver age, education and care-recipient health. While use of digital devices and generic online activities are common among caregivers, their use of the internet or apps to support caregiving is less common. Information-seeking and coordination are indicative of avenues in which digital technology solutions can complement ‘physical’ channels of communication and support with and for caregivers, and be further expanded.