Cost of Nursing Home in Singapore Full Guide
www.redcrowns.co
It's not easy to send your loved ones to a nursing home. Being away from them and knowing that other people will be taking care of them can be heart-wrenching. However, it's hard to care for your elderly loved ones every day especially if you got a job or have a family of your own to look after. Fortunately, there are nursing homes that we can turn to. This makes it possible for our aging family members to receive the right care, support, and assistance that they need to improve their quality of life.
What are nursing homes?
Nursing homes refer to residential care facilities where seniors can receive long-term care and assistance in daily living activities. Around-the-clock nursing care and supervision are done by caregivers and nurses. This is a facility dedicated to terminally ill patients or seniors who are physically or mentally disabled. Unlike other types of old folks' homes, nursing homes have a more clinical setting and are a bit more restrictive towards their residents. It provides possibly the highest level of care outside of a hospital for elderly residents with much more elevated care needs. There are also nursing homes that offer hospice care for seniors who are terminally ill or are nearing the end of their journey.
What are the services of nursing homes in Singapore?
Nursing homes offer a variety of services aimed to improve the quality of life of seniors. There is nursing care, medical care, assistance with daily living activities, and many more. All these are directed towards nurturing and caring for the life of every aging Singaporeans. Here is a breakdown of nursing home services:
- Long-term nursing care
- 24-hour emergency care and monitoring
- Assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) as well as laundry and housekeeping
- Private single bedrooms
- Medication management and administration (with the help of a nurse or a medical social worker)
- Daily meals (with meal options meeting the nutritional requirements and unique dietary needs of each resident)
- Specialized rehabilitative services such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, respiratory therapy, cognitive therapy, and vocational therapy sessions
- Emergency and routine dental services
How much do nursing homes in Singapore cost before subsidies?
Since nursing homes provide a higher level of care services and have more extensive facilities for senior care, they usually cost more than other types of old folks' homes like assisted living, independent living, and dementia care. The average nursing home costs in Singapore range from
$2,000 to &3,600 per month of stay. But for those who require an even higher level of skilled nursing care (like those who are terminally sick), their costs may reach up to $7,000. This is even before government subsidies. The prices also depend on the level of care required by the seniors and the type of room/suite that they had chosen for their accommodation. Rates differ for those who want to be a permanent resident in the nursing home compared to those who only need respite care or would prefer to be cared for at home. Here is a list of private nursing homes and those under considered voluntary welfare organisations (VWO) in Singapore under the Ministry of Health (MOH) subsidy and their estimated price range:
VWO nursing homes under MOH subsidy
| Lion's Home for the Elders | $700-$1,600 after subsidy |
| All Saints Home (certain branches) | $700-$1,600 after subsidy |
| Ren Ci Nursing Home | $700-$1,600 after subsidy |
| Grace Lodge | $700-$1,600 after subsidy |
| Assisi Hospice | $8,850 before subsidy |
| St. Andrew’s Nursing Home | $1,300-$2,300 before subsidy |
| Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital | $1,460-$2,289 before subsidy |
| Apex Harmony Lodge | $3,150-$3,400 before subsidy |
| NTUC Health Nursing Home | $2,000-$3,500 before subsidy |
Private nursing homes under MOH subsidy
| Orange Valley Nursing Home (certain branches) | $1,200-$4,500 before subsidy |
| Econ Medicare Centre And Nursing Home (certain branches) | $1,200-$4,500 before subsidy |
How to reduce the costs of nursing homes in Singapore
Not all seniors could afford access to residential care. This is why the government of Singapore and various private sectors made it possible to provide
subsidies and benefits to seniors that have a low household monthly income. This is also meant to help seniors who no longer have family members to financially support them. With subsidy options and financial assistance schemes, your elderly parents can reduce the costs and expenses of nursing homes in Singapore.
How to get a nursing home subsidy
To get a subsidy for nursing homes, the elderly person must be a Singapore citizen or a Permanent Resident. They must also undergo a means test and already be receiving care from a MOH-funded service provider. Here are the factors considered in the means test:
- The gross monthly income of the care recipient and his/her direct family
- The complete number of family members residing in the same household
- The yearly/annual value of the place of residence
What are the included in the charges of nursing homes
The monthly fees of nursing homes include but are not limited to the following:
- Around-the-clock caregiving duties (personal care like assistance with feeding, dressing, bathing, going to the toilet, etc.)
- Skilled and integrated nursing care
- Medical management and administration (including injections)
- Medical equipment fees (oxygen tanks, respirators, IV, etc.)
- Doctor fees
- Daily meals
- Rooms
- 24-hour emergency care and monitoring
- Rehabilitative activities
What is Assisted Living?
Assisted Living is a type of residential care home for seniors who only need assistance with activities of daily living but still desire some freedom and independence. The great thing about this is that the nursing care needs of seniors will be addressed without having to restrict them from living somewhat normally. Around-the-clock care is provided but they can also engage in a variety of activities and social events to always give them something to look forward to. But despite the similarities between them, there are also a lot of notable
differences between nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Here are the following services and benefits that one would get from Assisted Living:
- Modern suites and rooms
- Personalized and nursing care
- Assistance with basic self-care tasks (bathing, dressing, feeding, etc.)
- Housekeeping and laundry
- Quality and delicious meals
- House-call doctors
- 24/7 nurses and caregivers
- Medication management
- Transportation
- Recreational activities and fun social events
How much does Red Crowns Assisted Living cost before subsidy?
Red Crowns has an assisted living facility that is a great
alternative to nursing homes in Singapore. The rates of Red Crowns Assisted Living may vary depending on the type of room that the permanent residents will avail and the scope of services that they will require. Here are the basic rates of Red Crowns Assisted Living before subsidy:
Assisted Living Facility at HDB
| Semi-private room (2-bedded) | $2,500 |
| Private room (shared bathroom) | $4,300 |
| Private room (private bathroom) | $4,600 |
Assisted Living Facility at Condominium
| Semi-private room (2-bedded) | $2,500 |
| Private room (shared bathroom) | $4,700 |
| Private room (private bathroom) | $5,000 |
The cost of Assisted Living is much more affordable compared to nursing homes. It's affordable in the sense that it still provides extensive care services for seniors all whilst letting them live somewhat independently. It provides plenty of services that you wouldn't normally find in a nursing home. There are complete care services such as professional nursing care, housekeeping, transportation, and many others. There are also plenty of fun and recreational activities seniors can actively participate in. The facility is also not too restrictive unlike nursing homes (there's no curfew!). There's also a readily available medical staff such as nurses and house call doctors that are ready to tend to the health needs of the residents. Furthermore, Red Crowns has its own financial assistance schemes to help out its elderly care recipients.
Which one is more cost-effective for most seniors?
For seniors who are not terminally ill or do not necessarily require hospice care, they will find assisted living to be much more cost-effective. Unlike nursing homes, seniors can still live freely in assisted living while still receiving the same services such as nurturing care, support, and assistance from caregivers. They have access to medical care and they can still cultivate their skills and talents through the various social activities and events being held. They can also interact with fellow residents better in a much bigger living space or communal areas. Home nursing services or those being offered by local nursing homes are more suitable for seniors who are immobile or require a much higher level of care and attention.
