Availability of Respite Care Places for Seniors with Short-term Care Needs

Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin asked the Minister for Health (a) how many respite care places are there currently in total to support caregivers and seniors with short-term care needs; (b) of the total number of places, how many are available; and (c) whether there has been an increase in demand over the last two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

There are various respite care options to support caregivers and seniors with short-term care needs. For example, caregivers can access respite care at senior care centres for a few hours in the day, or at nursing homes for seniors with higher care needs and who need round-the-clock care. As at end December 2021, we have over 450 respite care places.

Providers do not maintain places to wait for demand, but will activate places to meet service requests. The availability of respite care places is therefore fluid and providers are generally able to meet the demand. The take-up rate for respite care has decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic as caregivers may prefer to minimise the community exposure of their loved ones. MOH will continue to monitor the evolving needs of our ageing population.