Extending Home Caregiving Grant to Individuals with Neurological Conditions Requiring Assistance with IADLs

Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Minister for Health (a) whether individuals with neurological or psychiatric conditions, including stroke, dementia, epilepsy, major depressive disorder, severe anxiety disorders and schizophrenia, who can perform the six Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) but require assistance with Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) can qualify for the Home Caregiving Grant (HCG); (b) if so, how many of such individuals have been given the HCG in the past year; and (c) if not, whether the HCG can be expanded to assist such individuals.

If the Member has come across specific cases that may be deserving of the Home Caregiving Grant (HCG), we suggest that he surfaces them to us for consideration.

The ability to perform Activities of Daily Living (ADL) is a sound, objective basis for assessing the eligibility for a broad-based scheme like the HCG. Instrumental ADL involve a different set of activities, such as managing finances, preparing meals and housekeeping. Other schemes are available for those who require support in these domains.