Ageing in Place: The Growing Popularity of Home Care Elderly Services in Singapore

There is a growing number of families here in Singapore looking for home care services to look after their elderly loved ones at home as the ageing population continues to grow in numbers. Let us delve into why home care services for the elderly are gaining popularity and to explore some of the realities driving this trend here.

Firstly, let’s look at Singapore’s ageing population statistics. According to the Ministry of Health, one in four Singaporeans will be over the age of 65 by 2030. As people age, physical and mental health problems may develop that make it difficult for them to carry out daily activities independently. That’s where home care services come in – trained caregivers can help with everyday tasks like bathing, dressing and medication administration, allowing seniors to remain independent and continue living in the safety of their own homes.

Mr. Tan is a 80-year-old retired warehouse supervisor who lives alone in a three-room HDB flat in Woodlands. He has limited mobility due to arthritis and relies on a wheelchair to move around the neighbourhood. He also has diabetes and requires daily insulin injections. His 2 children live overseas – one in Shanghai and the other in Melbourne, and visit him only once a year during Chinese New Year. In such a situation, home care services provide vital support for Mr. Tan. A caregiver visits him 5 times a week to help him with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs); like bathing, staying active, companionship, meal preparation, medical appointment escort and medication reminders. This allows him to maintain his independence and quality of life.

Another example is Mrs. Lee, a 75-year-old widow who lives with her son and daughter-in-law. Mrs. Lee has dementia and requires round-the-clock supervision. Her son and daughter-in-law work as  full-time hawker and the long hours at the stall makes it not feasible for them to take care of Mrs. Lee by themselves. In this case, they have to rely on home care services to provide support and care for Mrs. Lee. A trained caregiver will come to their home to provide supervision and care for her while her son and daughter-in-law are at the stall.

Home care services also offer benefits beyond physical assistance. Elderly individuals are supported emotionally and companioned by a caregiver. Those who live alone and experience social isolation will especially benefit from this. For example, Ms. Lim who is a 78-year-old retiree that lives alone, enjoys the company of her caregiver, who takes her on walks in the park and engages her in conversation. This not only improves her mood but also maintains her cognitive abilities.

In conclusion, home care services for the elderly are on the rise in Singapore due to the ageing population and the need for support for elderly individuals and their families. Real-life situations demonstrate the importance of these services in maintaining elderly individuals’ independence, quality of life, and well-being. In Singapore, home care services are likely to become more popular and accepted by the general public as the population ages.