Statistics on Users of Home-based and Community-based Eldercare Services and Average Out-of-pocket Expenditure after Maximum Subsidy
Ministry of HealthSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the profile and out-of-pocket costs of home-based eldercare users, as raised by Ms Anthea Ong. Minister for Health Gan Kim Yong noted that around 7,000 residents used subsidized home care in late 2018, mostly home-bound seniors aged 80 and above needing mobility assistance. One in ten home care clients also utilized community-based services, with home nursing costing approximately $20 per visit after maximum subsidies. Integrated Home and Day Care pilot bundles range between $300 and $600 monthly after subsidies. Minister for Health Gan Kim Yong added that those requiring further assistance could apply for MediFund through care providers.
Transcript
9 Ms Anthea Ong asked the Minister for Health (a) what is the typical profile of people who use home-based eldercare services; (b) how many activities of daily living (ADLs) do people who use home-based eldercare services typically require assistance with; (c) how many people use other types of subsidised services in addition to home-based eldercare services; and (d) what is the average out-of-pocket expenditure, after receiving the maximum subsidies they are eligible for, for people using home-based and community-based services together and separately.
Mr Gan Kim Yong: Based on records submitted by care providers to MOH, in the fourth quarter of 2018, around 16,000 Singapore residents were using subsidised home and/or community care services, of which around 7,000 used subsidised home care services.
Around six in ten subsidised home care clients were female. Around half were aged 80 and above, around three in ten were aged 70 to 79, and the remainder were aged 69 and below. The vast majority of home care clients would be home-bound with chronic conditions or disabilities, and require assistance with some Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), in particular in the area of mobility. Around one in ten home care clients also use community-based care services such as day rehabilitation or respite care services.
Depending on the needs of patients, the most commonly used home care service is home nursing, which is on average, about $95 per visit before any subsidies and about $20 per visit for a client receiving the maximum subsidy. The Integrated Home and Day Care (IHDC) pilot introduced in 2016 bundles both home- and community-based services, and gives us an estimate of the expenditure of clients using services in both settings together. Depending on the bundle, the fees range between $1,100 to $2,300 per month before any subsidies, and about $300 to $600 per month for a client receiving the maximum subsidy. Singaporeans who need further financial assistance after subsidies can apply through the medical social workers or the providers for MediFund or other assistance.