Data on Caregiving-related Expenditures Incurred by Families Caring for Elderly Persons

34 Ms Carrie Tan asked the Minister for Health (a) whether the Ministry has data on the annual caregiving-related expenditures incurred by families caring for elderly persons based on the number of activities of daily living they require assistance in; (b) if so, where is this information published; and (c) whether the Ministry will enhance the Home Caregiving Grant quantum based on different levels of care needs.

Mr Ong Ye Kung: Caregiving expenses vary across households, depending on care needs and preferred caregiving arrangements. Hence, while MOH does not track the caregiving expenses incurred based on the number of activities of daily living that care recipients need assistance in, MOH does monitor the expenses incurred for various care services and review the level of financial support accorded to caregivers accordingly.

To this end, MOH introduced the Home Caregiving Grant (HCG) in October 2019 to support community caregiving. The HCG provides a monthly $200 cash grant which can be used flexibly to defray the costs of caregiving for eligible individuals with at least permanent moderate disability. MOH is studying how to enhance the scheme and will announce more details in the coming months.

The HCG is one of many financial support measures that can help to defray caregiving expenses. Other support measures include subsidies for long-term care services and schemes like the Seniors’ Mobility and Enabling Fund to defray the cost of assistive devices and home healthcare items. For severely disabled Singaporeans, other schemes, such as CareShield Life, ElderShield and MediSave Care, may also provide monthly cash payouts. Families who require additional support can approach the AIC Link or the Social Service Office.