Take-up Rate of Caregiving Respite Services
Ministry of HealthSpeakers
Summary
This question, raised by Ms Hazlina Abdul Halim, concerns the take-up rate, sufficiency, and expansion of caregiving respite services for seniors, persons with disabilities, and individuals with special needs. Senior Minister of State Dr Koh Poh Koon responded that providers generally meet demand, with priority given to urgent cases of caregiver burnout through the Agency for Integrated Care and SG Enable. In 2025, subsidised respite care was utilized by caregivers of over 14,600 seniors and over 3,600 persons with disabilities and children with developmental needs. To enhance service quality, the Ministry will offer longer and after-hours care through the Home Personal Care service later this year. Additionally, the Take-a-Break home-based respite programme for persons with disabilities and children with developmental needs is currently being reviewed to ensure it meets evolving needs.
Transcript
The following question stood in the name of Ms Hazlina Abdul Halim –
11 To ask the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health (a) what is the average take-up rate of caregiving respite services; (b) whether there are sufficient services being offered to meet the demand from caregivers seeking help to cope with burnout; and (c) what plans does the Ministry have to enhance the quality of and expand these services to meet the varying needs of seniors, disabled individuals and those with special needs.
Ms Diana Pang Li Yen (Marine Parade-Braddell Heights): Question No 11.
The Senior Minister of State for Health (Dr Koh Poh Koon) (for the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health): Sir, respite care services tap on the capacity of existing care services for seniors, persons with disabilities (PwDs) and children with developmental needs. Providers are generally able to meet the demand for respite care, with the Agency for Integrated Care and SG Enable working with providers to prioritise clients with urgent care needs, including cases with caregivers seeking help to cope with burnout.
In 2025, caregivers of over 14,600 seniors and over 3,600 PwDs and children with developmental needs utilised subsidised respite care services.
We will continue to review our respite services to ensure they meet the needs of clients and their caregivers. For instance, we will enhance the Home Personal Care service later this year to offer longer service hours and after-hours care, including for respite care. The Take-a-Break home-based respite programme for PwDs and children with developmental needs is also currently being reviewed.