Breakdown on Full-time Family Care-givers and Their Care Recipients

2 Assoc Prof Walter Theseira asked the Minister for Health (a) what is the current number of full-time family care-givers for persons aged above 65; (b) what is the number of persons aged above 65 who are supported by at least one full-time family care-giver; and (c) what is the breakdown of full-time family care-givers where the care recipients are their parent, aunt/uncle, sibling, or spouse.

Mr Gan Kim Yong: Based on extrapolated data from the Retirement and Health Study¹ conducted in 2014, we estimate that there are currently about 110,000 to 120,000 family members or friends caring for persons aged 65 and above². The number of care recipients aged 65 years and above who are cared for by a family member or a friend is estimated to be about 85,000 to 90,000.

Of these care recipients, it is estimated that around 60% are cared for by their children, 35% by their spouses, 10% by their grandchildren, 5% by their siblings and 10% by other relatives³. RHS does not record whether the care-givers are providing full-time or part-time care.