Elderly Home Care Services in Singapore: Supporting Seniors with Dignity and Compassion
Elderly Home Care Services Singapore: Singapore is one of the fastest aging nations in the world. By 2030, nearly one in four Singaporeans will be aged 65 or older. With advancing age come various physical, cognitive, and medical challenges that require daily support. Many families, however, wish to avoid placing their loved ones in institutional care settings. Instead, they seek ways to help them age gracefully and safely at home. This is where elderly home care services in Singapore offer a meaningful solution. Designed to support seniors within their own homes, these services promote independence, comfort, and quality of life—all while easing the burden on family caregivers.
What Are Elderly Home Care Services?
Elderly home care services involve providing professional support to older adults in their residence. These services are customized based on the individual’s needs and may range from basic assistance with daily tasks to complex medical care delivered by nurses or therapists. Home care allows seniors to maintain familiar routines, stay socially and emotionally connected to loved ones, receive one-on-one attention, and avoid the emotional toll of relocation. These services are typically provided by trained caregivers, registered or enrolled nurses, or allied health professionals.
Who Benefits from Home Care?
Home care is suitable for elderly individuals who struggle with mobility or daily tasks, have been recently discharged from a hospital, are living with chronic conditions (e.g., diabetes, stroke, arthritis), require palliative or end-of-life care, have dementia or Alzheimer’s, or live alone and are at risk of social isolation. It also provides respite for family caregivers who need support balancing their caregiving duties with work or other responsibilities.
Types of Elderly Home Care Services in Singapore
1. Personal Care Assistance
Support with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) such as bathing, grooming, and dressing, feeding and toileting, mobility support and fall prevention, and basic hygiene maintenance. Best for seniors needing non-medical help with day-to-day tasks.
2. Home Nursing Services
Medical care provided by licensed nurses includes wound dressing and injections, medication administration, tube feeding (NGT/PEG), catheter and stoma care, and post-surgical monitoring. Best for elderly patients recovering from illness, surgery, or living with chronic conditions.
3. Dementia and Alzheimer’s Care
Specialist care for seniors with cognitive decline: behavior management, memory stimulation activities, routine-based care to reduce confusion, and supervision to prevent wandering or injury. Best for individuals experiencing memory loss or dementia.
4. Home Therapy Services
Rehabilitation professionals visit the home to offer physiotherapy for balance and strength, occupational therapy to maintain independence, and speech therapy for communication or swallowing issues. Best for post-stroke recovery or age-related physical decline.
5. Respite and Short-Term Care
Temporary care for a few hours, overnight, or several days: coverage during caregiver absence, emergency or transitional support. Best for family caregivers needing a break or going on travel.
6. Live-In Caregiver Services
Foreign domestic workers or local caregivers live with the senior full-time, providing round-the-clock care and companionship. Best for elderly individuals needing continuous assistance.
Benefits of Elderly Home Care Services
Comfort and Familiarity: Seniors receive care in a space they know, which can be emotionally grounding and reduce anxiety, especially for those with dementia. Individualized Attention: Home care is tailored to each person’s routines, preferences, and health conditions. Improved Health Outcomes: Home-based recovery often leads to fewer complications, better medication adherence, and reduced hospital readmissions. Reduced Burden on Families: Having professional caregivers or nurses at home relieves stress and allows family members to focus on emotional support and companionship. Cost-Effective Alternative: Compared to private nursing homes or repeated hospital stays, home care is often more affordable over time.
Cost of Elderly Home Care Services in Singapore
Costs vary depending on the level and frequency of care:
| Service | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Personal Care (hourly) | $20 – $35/hour |
| Home Nursing (per visit) | $80 – $150/visit |
| Physiotherapy (per session) | $150 – $250/session |
| Overnight Respite Care | $180 – $280/night |
| Live-In Caregiver (FDW) | $700 – $1,200/month (plus levy, lodging, food) |
Financial Support and Subsidies
1. Home Caregiving Grant (HCG)
$250/month for care recipients with moderate to severe disability. Can be used for care services or caregiver salary.
2. MOH Subsidies via AIC
Means-tested subsidies for home care services arranged through the Agency for Integrated Care.
3. Pioneer Generation / Merdeka Generation Benefits
Additional subsidies for seniors in these groups when using eligible services.
4. CareShield Life / ElderShield
Monthly payouts for individuals unable to perform at least 3 of 6 ADLs.
5. FDW Levy Concession
Lower monthly levy for households hiring a foreign domestic helper to care for an elderly family member.
Choosing the Right Elderly Home Care Provider
What to Look For: Accreditation and Licensing: Ensure the agency is licensed by the Ministry of Health (MOH) or works with AIC. Trained Caregivers and Nurses: Staff should have eldercare qualifications, first aid training, and experience with age-related conditions. Custom Care Plans: Care should be tailored to the individual, with regular updates based on their evolving needs. Transparent Pricing: Clear service packages and breakdowns help families plan ahead financially. Good Reviews and Testimonials: Positive client feedback indicates trustworthiness, responsiveness, and service quality.
Elderly Home Care with iKare Home
At iKare Home, we provide personalized and professional elderly home care services across Singapore. Our mission is to ensure every senior receives the care, respect, and attention they deserve—at home, where they feel most secure. Our Services Include: Daily personal care and companionship, post-hospitalization nursing support, dementia and memory care, live-in and part-time caregiver arrangements, palliative and end-of-life care. All our caregivers and nurses are carefully selected and trained, with an emphasis on compassion, patience, and professionalism. We work closely with families to develop care plans that evolve with your loved one’s needs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do I know if my elderly parent needs home care?
Look out for signs such as difficulty managing daily activities, frequent falls or mobility issues, forgetfulness or confusion, unintentional weight loss or poor hygiene, and caregiver burnout or absence. If any of these apply, it may be time to consider home care services.
How soon can elderly home care services begin?
Services can often begin within 24 to 72 hours after assessment, depending on urgency and availability. Providers like iKare Home offer prompt scheduling for both short-term and long-term needs.
Can I use the Home Caregiving Grant to pay for home care?
Yes. The Home Caregiving Grant can be used to pay for personal care services, nursing visits, or caregiver wages. iKare Home can assist with subsidy applications.
What’s the difference between a caregiver and a nurse?
Caregivers assist with daily living tasks (e.g., bathing, feeding, mobility), while nurses are medically trained to perform clinical tasks (e.g., wound care, injections, health monitoring). Some seniors may need both types of support, depending on their condition.
Do you provide care for dementia patients at home?
Yes. iKare Home has specially trained dementia caregivers who offer routine-based care, behavioral management, and cognitive stimulation activities—all in a safe, structured environment at home.
Final Thoughts
Choosing elderly home care services in Singapore is more than a healthcare decision—it’s a commitment to dignity, independence, and quality of life. With the right care provider, seniors can continue to live meaningfully at home, while families gain peace of mind knowing their loved ones are in capable hands. At iKare Home, we bring professional, compassionate care to your doorstep. Let us help you navigate aging with dignity—right where home feels best.
