Debated in Parliament on 5 Jan 2021.
Mr Chong Kee Hiong asked the Minister for Health what is the average waiting time for a bed subsidised by the Government in a nursing home and what assistance is provided to seniors and their families during the interim period.
Nursing home placements are prioritised for seniors who require help and supervision in three or more activities of daily living such as feeding and toileting, and have weak family support. The waiting time for a subsidised nursing home bed depends on the seniors' care needs, family preferences and available capacity. The median waiting time for a nursing home bed has remained stable at around one month.
While awaiting nursing home placement, the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) works with the seniors as well as their caregivers to identify alternative suitable care arrangements such as home-based and community services to support the senior. For example, seniors discharged from hospitals who require more time to finalise their long-term care arrangements may apply for the Interim Caregiver Scheme (ICS), which provides time-limited post-discharge support custodial care for seniors, six days a week and 10 to 12 hours a day. Seniors with care needs can also make use of home care services such as home medical, home nursing, home personal care, meals delivery and medical escort and transport services.
PAPERCUTS