Additional Support for Persons Caring for Family Members with Dementia
Ministry of HealthSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns Mr Gan Thiam Poh’s inquiry about additional measures to support families caring for members with dementia amidst Singapore’s ageing population over the next two decades. Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung outlined a multi-pronged strategy involving community outreach teams, dementia-friendly communities, and the expansion of specialized clinics in polyclinics to increase care accessibility. The Ministry of Health has also increased day care places and introduced respite options, such as the Night Respite pilot, to assist caregivers with overnight support. Furthermore, financial assistance is provided through various medical subsidies, disability grants, and insurance schemes to help families manage long-term costs. The government continues to review and adapt these support mechanisms to ensure they meet the evolving needs of persons living with dementia and their caregivers.
Transcript
122 Mr Gan Thiam Poh asked the Minister for Health what are the additional measures that the Ministry will be taking to support families with dementia family members in the face of our ageing population in the next 10 to 20 years.
Mr Ong Ye Kung: MOH adopts a multi-pronged approach to dementia care. This includes raising awareness of dementia, expanding care capacity and capabilities in the community and hospitals and supporting caregivers of persons living with dementia.
First of all, to support persons living with dementia and their caregivers after the initial diagnosis, the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) and Social Service Agencies (SSAs) have set up community outreach teams and community intervention teams. They conduct public outreach and education to raise awareness of dementia and conduct interventions to provide timely support. We have also rolled out 14 Dementia-Friendly Communities to create a conducive environment for persons living with dementia and their caregivers to live well in the community. This is achieved by raising dementia awareness and providing more dementia-friendly services, among other measures.
Next, to increase the accessibility of care services, MOH has set up dementia clinics in polyclinics so that persons living with dementia can receive medical care near their homes. We have also increased the number of Dementia Day Care places, over a five-year period, between 2015 and 2020.
Lastly, we provide caregivers of persons living with dementia with respite care options through senior centres and nursing homes. For instance, the Night Respite pilot offers overnight respite for caregivers of persons living with dementia with behavioural and sleep issues. Families also receive financial support to defray long-term care costs. This includes subsidies for medical care and eldercare services, disability grants and insurance schemes. MOH will continue to review the dementia support required for our ageing population.