When our elderly loved ones begin to face more complex health issues, it can be tough to figure out the best way to support them. In such situations, engaging a private nurse can make all the difference to their well-being.
In this article, we'll explore why more families are hiring private nurses at home. You'll learn about the various Home Nursing Care options available and gain insights into expected costs and available subsidies.
Additionally, discover the range of services offered through NTUC Health private nurses and explore alternative care solutions that may work for you and your loved ones.
Why More Families Are Choosing Private Nursing Care at Home
As families seek better care arrangements for their elderly loved ones, private nursing at home is emerging as a preferred choice. Here's why families are embracing this option over other care settings:
One-to-one Personalised Care
Having a private nurse means your loved one receives focused and individualised care. This dedicated approach creates a stronger bond between them and your family member, making it easier for the nurse to provide care that fits their unique needs — something that can be challenging to achieve in institutional settings like a nursing home or hospital.
Familiar Faces and Environment
Home nursing allows your loved one to get the care they require in their home, where they can easily connect with family and access personal items while keeping their daily routines. This is particularly beneficial for seniors living with dementia, as a familiar environment can help reduce their confusion and anxiety.
Convenient Care
Commuting can be especially stressful and tiring for seniors who are unwell or face mobility challenges. Home nursing removes the burden of frequent trips to hospitals or clinics, enabling them to receive the care they need at home.
Affordable Solution
Hiring a private nurse at home can be more budget-friendly, especially when you consider the availability of government subsidies. With flexible care plans and no long-term contracts to worry about, families only pay for the care they need.
Understanding Your Home Nursing Care Options
Home nursing care can be tailored to your loved ones' unique needs, with private nurses providing support for common care requirements such as:
Post-Surgery Nursing Care
Post-surgery nursing care supports individuals throughout their recovery by ensuring proper routines are followed for a smooth and speedy healing process. A private nurse will provide essential post-operative care, such as cleaning the incision site, changing wound dressings and closely monitoring for signs of infection.
Chronic Illness Nursing Care
For seniors managing long-term health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or stroke, this care option includes regular health status monitoring such as blood sugar and vital sign checks, with symptom management to ensure comfort.
A nurse can also provide safety tips for your home, such as recommending bed railings and sharing important care strategies, like turning seniors regularly to prevent bedsores. These preventive measures not only prevent complications but also help lower the risk of hospital readmissions.
Palliative Nursing Care
This option is geared toward individuals facing serious illnesses, with greater emphasis on enhancing comfort and quality of life. Seniors will receive nursing support to manage symptoms such as pain, nausea or fatigue. A nurse can also share information on important advanced directives such as Advance Care Planning (ACP), to ensure seniors and their families can consider getting them in place for peace of mind.
Ad-Hoc Nursing Care
This service is designed for seniors who need ad hoc nursing care for ongoing medical needs, such as post-surgical recovery or managing chronic conditions. This may include situations like the unexpected removal of a nasogastric tube (NGT) or a blocked urinary catheter.
While private nurses typically work according to a fixed schedule, service outside these hours can be arranged (subject to availability and surcharges where relevant). This includes care requests made with less than 24 hours' notice.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Private Nurse at Home?
To budget effectively for the nursing care that your loved ones need, it's essential to understand the costs involved. Here's what you can expect:
Average Cost of Hiring a Private Nurse
In Singapore, most home nursing care providers charge an hourly rate. The average cost of engaging a private nurse ranges from $25 per hour with subsidies, to $150 per hour without subsidies.
Your total care costs can vary based on a few key factors such as:
- Frequency of Visits: The total cost will increase with more frequent visits from the nurse.
- Duration of Each Visit: Seniors with more complex care needs will typically require longer sessions that cost more.
- Eligibility for Government Subsidies: If your loved ones qualify for government subsidies, this can substantially reduce the overall cost of their care.
Affordable Home Nursing with NTUC Health — No Surprises, Just Care
When it comes to care costs, NTUC Health works towards ensuring you get the best value for your money. This is why our Home Nursing Care services come with a flat rate. Unlike hourly rates, which can make costs unpredictable, a flat rate offers greater transparency on the cost behind each session, making it easier to plan and manage your budget.
Our Home Nursing Care visits start at an affordable rate of just $1.80 per session after subsidies and include a personalised care plan that outlines specific care procedures for full transparency.
Furthermore, NTUC Health private nurses are trained to deliver efficient and compassionate care without extending visits beyond what is necessary. This allows your loved ones to receive affordable and quality clinical care with minimal disruptions to their day. It's all about giving you peace of mind while ensuring your loved ones get the attention they deserve.
Subsidies Available for Home Nursing Care
The government provides subsidies to make Home Nursing Care more affordable for seniors. If your loved one is a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident, they may receive up to 80% and 55% subsidies respectively. The subsidy level will be determined by means-testing to ensure the right level of support is given based on your financial situation.
Furthermore, the Home Caregiving Grant (HCG) provides a monthly cash payout of up to $400, which can help offset the costs for eligible individuals.
You may also tap on the Senior Mobility Fund to purchase approved consumables such as catheters or wound dressings.
To learn more about your loved one's eligibility for these subsidies, drop by our subsidies page or call our NTUC Health Home Nursing Care hotline at 6715 6715.
What Can NTUC Health Private Nurses Help You With?
At NTUC Health, all our nurses are licensed by the Singapore Nursing Board (SNB) and offer years of relevant clinical experience, having worked for at least two years in local hospitals or healthcare settings. Here are just some of the procedures that they can assist with:
- Administering and pre-packing of medication
- Changing nasogastric feeding tubes and female urinary catheters
- Removing stitches and staples
- Providing wound and stoma care
- Administering Ventolin puffers, nebulisers, and insulin injections
- Offering diabetes care and monitoring blood glucose levels
- Monitoring vital signs, blood pressure, and temperature
- Performing blood tests
- Basic caregiver training
To sign up for our Home Nursing Care services or enquire about special requests such as night-time nursing or urgent care, please contact us at 6715 6715.
Dedicated Support Every Step of the Way
We're here to ensure you feel fully supported every step of the way. Once you officially enrol with us, you'll be paired with an NTUC Health care coordinator who will serve as your point of contact for any feedback or concerns.
What Are Some Alternatives to Private Nursing at Home?
If you're exploring different care options beyond private nursing at home, NTUC Health also offers a wide range of services that may suit your needs. These include:
Home Care Services
Our Home Care Services are designed to offer flexible support and companionship for your loved ones at home. We assist with activities of daily living such as dressing, showering and mobility, ensuring seniors stay safe and comfortable in their familiar environment. For those in post-surgery recovery, our care team can also help with medication reminders and light household tasks.
For a seamless care experience, families can opt for our Home Care Services alongside Home Nursing Care. This combination ensures that their well-being is comprehensively addressed so they can live in dignity and comfort at home.
Nursing Homes
For frail seniors requiring round-the-clock care, a nursing home may also be considered. NTUC Health provides both long-term care at our nursing homes as well as short-term respite care.
- Long-Term Care: This option is ideal for families seeking a nurturing environment for their loved ones, with full-time support including professional nursing care, social activities, healthy meals and assistance with daily tasks.
- Short-Term Respite Care: This is a good choice for families seeking temporary help between one to four weeks. It offers caregivers a break while ensuring their loved ones receive professional nursing support during recovery.
Experience the trusted care NTUC Health is known for. Read our Google reviews to see how hundreds of families have benefited from our compassionate and quality private nursing services, and discover how we can support your loved ones with reliable Home Nursing Care.
