Did you know that the average family caregiver in Singapore spends 33 hours a week caring for an elderly loved one?1
It’s a significant responsibility, and for many families, those hours often increase as their loved one's care needs grow.
Bringing in a professional caregiver opens the door to structured caregiver services, consistent care for your loved one, while taking some weight off your shoulders.
This article walks you through key considerations when exploring professional caregiving services, so you can better understand your options, manage the costs, and find the best fit for your family.
- How Can a Professional Caregiver Help My Loved One?
- What Professional Caregiving Options Are Available?
- What Should I Look For in a Professional Caregiver?
- Where Can I Receive Financial Assistance for Caregiving Services?
- Where Can I Find Trusted Professional Caregiving Services in Singapore?
How Can a Professional Caregiver Help My Loved One?
Professional caregiving isn't just a service for your loved one. It's an arrangement that benefits your entire family by providing the following:
Expert Care Plans for Your Loved One's Unique Needs
A professional caregiver does more than help with daily tasks like bathing and toileting. They can also provide specialised support for conditions like dementia, stroke, or post-surgery recovery, bringing the skills and resources to manage complex care needs.
Daily Engagement and Meaningful Connection
If your loved one is spending more time alone, it can affect their mood and overall well-being.
With a professional care provider, your loved one has someone to interact with, whether it's simple conversations, shared meals, or activities like games, or going for short walks to stay connected to others and the community.
Discover how NTUC Health's planned outings and community activities help our Home Care seniors to stay engaged and inspired.
Reliable Support for Your Whole Family
Having a professional caregiver means you no longer have to carry every responsibility alone, while also providing vital caregiver support for the person managing care each day. By sharing caregiving responsibilities — such as personal care, medication reminders, meal preparation, and companionship — with a professional, you can avoid caregiver burnout and protect your own mental health, while strengthening family support and shifting your focus back to simply enjoying quality time with your loved one.
What Professional Caregiving Options Are Available?
Professional caregiving services in Singapore come in many forms, each designed for different care needs.
1. Senior Day Care: A Safe Space to Stay Active and Social During the Day For Seniors
If your loved one spends long hours alone at home during the day, a senior day care centre can provide the structure and social connection they may be missing.
This setting gives your loved one the chance to build new friendships, engage in social activities and feel like part of a community again. At the same time, professional caregivers will be around to help with personal care and hygiene needs, meals, and medication reminders.
Find the NTUC Health Senior Day Care centre nearest to you and explore the programme and activities awaiting your loved one.
Short-Term Respite Care: A Reliable Backup for Caregivers
If you need a reliable care arrangement for a few days while you or your helper is away, Staycay@Henderson Home offers a welcoming residential space located amidst heritage trails and lush park connectors.
It's a good fit for seniors who are generally independent, with light support to help them feel safe and settled so they can enjoy the refreshing change in scenery.
Explore howStaycay@Henderson Home ensures a worry-free stay for your loved one.
Home Care: Personal, Nursing, Medical, and Therapy Support
Many seniors feel most at ease in familiar surroundings. Home care brings professional support directly to your doorstep, reducing the stress of travel for those with mobility challenges or dementia. These caregiver services can be provided based on different care needs at home.
You can tailor your support through these specialised services:
- Home Personal Care: Respectful assistance with showering, dressing, and toileting, alongside companionship for mental well-being.
- Home Nursing: Professional home nursing care delivered by registered nurses, including wound management, injections, stoma care, and support for feeding tubes.
- Home Medical: Medical consultations and chronic disease management in the comfort of your home.
- Home Therapy: On-site physiotherapy, occupational and speech therapy to regain function and mobility.
- Interim Caregiver Service: Intensive nursing support during the transition after a hospital discharge.
Find out how ourHome Care services can help your loved one stay independent at home longer.
Nursing Home Care: Long-Term 24/7 Support
When a loved one has higher care needs, a nursing home offers a supportive environment where they can live with comfort and dignity.
Residents receive round-the-clock nursing care, along with assistance for activities of daily living. They can also stay socially connected through group activities, while receiving rehabilitation support to help maintain their functional mobility.
Short-term stays are also available at NTUC Health Nursing Homes. Learn more about the admission criteria and how to apply here.
What Should I Look For When Choosing a Professional Caregiver?
Before deciding on the type of care services, speak with your loved one's family doctor. They can provide a professional opinion on the level of care required, and flag needs you might not have considered.
Pro-tip: If your loved ones are hesitant about accepting help, framing it as the doctor's recommendations for their long-term well-being can make it easier for them to accept.
Once you have medical guidance, here is what to look for in a provider:
Make Sure the Provider Is Properly Accredited
Check that the provider is MOH-accredited, so you know they meet basic safety and quality standards. In Singapore, you can easily verify a provider's status through the MOH Healthcare Services Directory. This quick check gives you peace of mind that their care is regulated and officially licensed.
Ask About Staff Training and Expertise
Generic care training isn't enough to manage conditions like dementia stroke recovery. Ask if the caregivers are trained to support your loved one's specific needs.
Check If the Same Caregiver Will Be Assigned Regularly
Familiar faces matter, especially for seniors with memory loss. Continuity of care builds trust and reduces anxiety in many seniors. Look for a provider that strives to maintain a consistent care team, so your loved one is cared for by a team that is familiar with their needs and routines.
Find Out How They Assess Your Loved One's Needs
A quality provider will carry out a thorough assessment of your loved one's health before care begins, ensuring the care provided is personalised rather than generic and informed by complete care details.
Find Out How They Communicate With Families
You should always be kept in the loop on your loved one's care and condition. Find out how often you'll receive updates, and whether there's someone you can easily reach if you have concerns.
Ask How Flexible the Service Is
Care needs can change. Check if the provider can adjust support as your loved one's condition evolves, and whether the arrangement makes it easy to scale care up or down when needed.
A provider that is truly confident in their care won't just answer these questions, they'll be glad you're asking them.
Where Can I Receive Financial Assistance for Caregiving Services?
Cost is often one of the biggest concerns when considering professional caregiving. Here are some government assistance schemes that can help make care more affordable.
Home Caregiving Grant (HCG)
If your loved one requires ongoing help with daily activities due to permanent moderate disabilities, the Home Caregiving Grants provides a monthly cash payout to support your caregiving journey. Eligibility is assessed based on care needs and monthly household income per person (per capita) and is intended to support eligible individuals receiving long-term care at home.
Find out if you're eligible for the HCG, whether you are likely to qualify, and how the application for this monthly support is submitted.
Government Subsidies (Means-Testing)
Depending on your household income, you could be eligible for subsidies that cover:
- Up to 80% of home care and senior day care costs
- Up to 75% for nursing homes services.
Check your subsidy eligibility with our handy subsidy guide. (Applicable for Singaporeans and Permanent Residents)
Where Can I Find Trusted Professional Caregiving Services in Singapore?
As one of Singapore’s largest health and eldercare providers, NTUC Health offers a full spectrum of integrated services, from Senior Day Care centres toHome Care and Nursing Homes.
Whether you need a few hours of help a week or round-the-clock care, we're here to support your loved one in a way that feels right for them and your family.
To get started, take our quick, interactive quiz to get a personalised care plans recommendation, or explore our full range of professional caregiving services today.
