Singapore Plans Permanent Home Care Posts to Support Seniors

The Singapore government is set to establish permanent posts for home personal care services in neighborhoods with a high concentration of seniors. This initiative, revealed by Health Minister Ong Ye Kung on August 24, 2023, aims to alleviate the demands placed on family caregivers. Currently, approximately 6,000 families benefit from these home personal care services, which assist seniors with daily activities.

During a media briefing at an event hosted by the Agency for Integrated Care, Ong explained that the upcoming Age Well Neighbourhoods initiative would provide dedicated teams located within communities. This strategic positioning will allow these teams to offer support after office hours and serve as first responders in emergencies. Ong emphasized that this initiative aims to significantly reduce the burden on caregivers.

The Health Ministry has recently enhanced subsidies for long-term care, including home personal care, indicating that more families will receive financial relief through fee reductions planned for next year. The Age Well Neighbourhoods initiative will initially launch in Toa Payoh, one of Singapore’s oldest townships, and will extend to one or two additional areas with a significant senior population, as announced by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong during the National Day Rally.

Expanding Community Support for Seniors

The initiative aims to create more accessible touchpoints for seniors, expand home-based services, and bring healthcare closer to this demographic. Ong highlighted the importance of community care apartments—public housing designed to be senior-friendly, featuring on-site care and services.

In discussing the broader strategy, Ong outlined additional components of the Age Well Neighbourhoods initiative. He noted that the network of active ageing centres would expand their outreach into local communities, including utilizing common spaces in Housing and Development Board (HDB) developments and private estate parks. Furthermore, community health posts will also play a critical role, with teams of community care personnel, nurses, pharmacists, and allied health professionals scheduled to provide ongoing care for discharged patients.

Ong reiterated the need for a cohesive approach by integrating various initiatives to make a more substantial impact in areas with higher senior populations. “Instead of spreading all these initiatives thinly around the island, we feel it is more effective to consolidate them,” he said. The goal is to transform these areas into fully functional Age Well Neighbourhoods.

Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat announced that around 200 community care apartments will be introduced in Toa Payoh next year. These apartments are designed with senior-friendly features and will include communal spaces for socializing and exercising, supported by staff available around the clock.

Long-term Vision for Ageing Population

The government envisions rolling out the Age Well Neighbourhoods scheme throughout Singapore as part of its long-term strategy for addressing the needs of an ageing population. Ong clarified that the initial projects in Toa Payoh and other selected areas would serve as pilot programs to refine the approach before broader implementation.

The criteria for selecting Age Well Neighbourhoods will focus on the density of seniors and their care needs. Ong pointed out that neighborhoods with a high concentration of seniors will be prioritized. For instance, areas like Sembawang, which have a larger number of young families, will not see the same level of consolidation for senior services but will continue to receive active ageing centres and community health posts.

In conclusion, the Ministry of Health remains committed to shifting the focus of care from hospitals to community settings. “We are very determined to shift the centre of gravity of care into the community with residential areas,” Ong stated, underscoring the importance of proactive engagement in addressing the needs of the elderly population in Singapore.