Debated in Parliament on 10 Sep 2018.
Assoc Prof Daniel Goh Pei Siong asked the Minister for Health (a) how many seniors are currently receiving home personal care (HPC) services and how long is the current waiting list; (b) on average, how much are they paying and how much subsidies are they receiving; and (c) on average, whether subsidised nursing home care is cheaper than subsidised HPC services.
The Ministry of Health works with our partners to provide a range of services to support seniors who need care services.
Currently, around 1,700 seniors receive Home Personal Care (HPC) services which assist them with Activities of Daily Living, for example, showering and feeding, light housekeeping, grocery shopping, elder-sitting as well as provide mind stimulating activities for them. Overall, there is no wait list across service providers.
These services are usually charged on an hourly basis and the duration varies according to the care needs of the senior. HPC fees are around $23 per hour on average, before subsidies. For eligible seniors, subsidies of up to 80% are available. HPC providers also extend community and financial support to seniors who require further assistance.
Nursing homes typically serve seniors who have higher care needs or are more frail, and it would not be meaningful to compare the cost of nursing home services directly with that of HPC services. Those who face financial difficulties can approach the Medical Social Workers for financial assistance, including tapping on MediFund.
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