Health Minister Ong Ye Kung announced that individuals receiving palliative care at home can now use their MediSave accounts from 1st October 2023 to cover expenses for home medical and nursing providers. This will be similar to the existing system for clinic-based services. This scheme will be expanded to include more home medical and nursing providers in the future.
Extending Medisave Coverage
In addition, subsidies and MediSave coverage will be extended to video-consultations for home palliative care services from July 1st, 2023. These changes aim to support telehealth and meet the increasing demand for community palliative care.
“Super-Aged” Society
Singapore is proactively preparing for its "super-aged" society. By 2026, 21 percent of the population is projected to be aged 65 and above. This requires making adjustments to create age-friendly environments.
Increasing Nursing Homes Not Scalable in Singapore
While the capacity of nursing homes has increased significantly in Singapore, it is not easily scalable due to the need for land and manpower. Health Minister Ong Ye Kung emphasized the importance of seniors aging purposefully and actively in their current communities, calling for a reboot of the country's operating model.
Extending Outreach
This includes extending outreach to seniors through a large community volunteer force, strengthening befriending efforts, connecting seniors to various community activities and spaces such as coffee shops, hawker centres, parks, libraries, and community centres.
Health Minister Ong Ye Kung highlighted the importance of promoting senior volunteerism within Active Ageing Centres (AACs), acknowledging the passion and community connections of senior volunteers.
Stronger Support from the Community
He also emphasized the need for stronger support and resources in the community care sector, including addressing fragmentation and improving accessibility of services. The Ministry of Health (MOH) is reviewing ways to deliver services more seamlessly, with a focus on prevention, health preservation, and empowering seniors to age well in their communities and homes. The envisioned changes will require collective efforts and support to realize the vision of a more effective and purposeful aged care system.
