Use of MediSave to Pay For Nursing Home Fees for Families Taking Care of Elderlies with Advance-stage Dementia

Ms Ng Ling Ling asked the Minister for Health for sandwich families who have elderlies in advance-stage dementia whose conditions are beyond home care and children who are still studying, whether the Ministry can consider allowing the use of MediSave of the family members to cover nursing home fees for the elderlies if the cash portion after Government means-tested subsidies is still challenging for the families to pay.

There are three sources of financial support for patients with advanced dementia. First, they are eligible for means-tested subsidies of up to 75% for nursing home-care and up to 80% for home-care. Second, individuals who are assessed to have severe disability can withdraw up to $200 per month from their own or their spouse’s MediSave accounts, under the MediSave Care scheme. This can help to offset their long-term care costs, including but not limited to nursing home fees. Third, they may also benefit from long-term care insurance schemes, such as ElderShield and CareShield Life.

If these avenues are still insufficient, those who have challenges affording the residual nursing home fees may apply for financial assistance, such as MediFund.