Nursing Homes in Singapore | Healthcare Expenses for Elderly
Healthcare | Singapore
by Priyadarshini
11 November 2021
Sending a loved one to a nursing home can be a difficult decision to make. However, if you have a tiny property and no one at home during the weekdays, it may be the best (or only) option for you. Go for nursing homes if you need to care for an older person who requires assistance with everyday duties. In this blog, we discuss nursing homes in Singapore.
Singapore is a relatively small country and it is simple to visit them as frequently as you choose. If you have decided to do so but aren’t sure where to begin, here’s a step-by-step 101 guide to nursing homes in Singapore, their costs, and how to apply.
Singapore Nursing Homes
Nursing homes are long-term residential care facilities where the elderly can get help with daily chores. It is as opposed to daycare centers or community homes where elderly live together but are generally mostly independent. Nursing homes are for the elderly who require assistance with daily activities. For instance, toileting, showering, eating, and walking.
Professional nursing care is usually provided to take care of medical needs. Ranging from replacing a urinary catheter to dressing wounds, as well as exercises and activities with other older people. If your elderly parents or grandparents suffer from mental illnesses such as dementia or psychiatric conditions, nursing homes can be safe havens. It is a place where someone is constantly on the lookout for them. And they can participate in cognitive stimulation programs and activities to slow the loss of mental capacity.
Hospice care refers to nursing homes that provide long-term advanced medical care to terminally sick patients. If a senior individual just needs short-term medical treatment, a community hospital with appropriate rehabilitative services may be more appropriate.
How much does it cost to live in nursing homes in Singapore?
Nursing homes typically cost between $1,200 to $3,500 a month. And government subsidies, which range from 10% to 75%. This cost varies depending on the number of people sharing a bedroom, the quality of care required, and whether the patient is a Singaporean or a permanent resident. Those who choose private single-bed rooms will pay between $4,000 and $6,500 each month. There are also variable charges (where appropriate) for things like adult diapers, special feeding, ambulance services, and therapy sessions.
In Singapore, there are two sorts of nursing homes: private and those that are classified as Voluntary Welfare Organizations (VWO). Since April 2003, the Ministry of Health has provided payments to older persons who are accepted to authorized private nursing facilities and meet certain conditions. As a result, the subsidy plan is not as simple as simply being applicable to VWO nursing facilities and not relevant to private nursing homes.
The non-profit nursing facilities are supported by their own fund-raising activities and provide financial aid to older persons who cannot afford the costs.
How do you apply for a nursing home subsidy?
To qualify for a nursing home subsidy, you must first be a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident. In addition, one must meet the means test conditions and be receiving care from a MOH-funded service provider.
The means test takes into account the following factors:
- Gross income of the person in need of care and his or her immediate family
- The total number of family members residing in the same household
- The annual worth of one’s primary residence
How do you apply for Nursing homes in Singapore?
The location of a nursing home is an important consideration while selecting one. It is preferable to locate a nursing home close to your home for ease of visitation. Using HealthHub’s E-care directory, you may access a list of nursing homes in Singapore.
An aged person must meet the following criteria in order to be admitted to a nursing home:
- Illness has rendered you physically or psychologically incapacitated.
- Have trouble walking – either requires a wheelchair or is bedridden – and hence need assistance with daily chores such as going to the restroom.
- To apply for a VWO nursing home, you must first obtain a referral from a hospital or polyclinic Medical Social Worker.
The Social Worker will then assist you in submitting the referral and an application to the Body for Integrated Care (AIC), a government agency in Singapore that manages the availability of VWO nursing facilities.
After passing a means test, you will be eligible for government subsidies (if relevant to the nursing home). Another option is to apply directly to your selected private nursing home, where you will be paying private care rates.
