Respite care services provide caregiver support. Senior Care Centres provide short-term respite care for caregivers when they need to take short breaks from caregiving.

Caregivers need periodic rest so their own needs are taken care of. Caregivers can tap on Senior Care Centres for short-term care options, such as when they need to take short breaks on an ad hoc basis during the day.
 

About Respite Care for Caregivers

Caregivers can tap on Senior Care Centres for short-term care options, such as when they need to take short breaks on an ad hoc basis during the day.

Short-term care options at Senior Care Centres are also suitable if caregivers need additional assistance when the foreign domestic worker is not available.

Respite Care Services Provided by Day Care Centres

Care staff at the centre provide:
 

• assistance with activities of daily living such as eating or going to the toilet
• social activities such as games and karaoke sessions
• meals

Respite care is available on both weekdays and weekends.

Who Can Apply for Respite Care Services

If your loved one needs assistance with their activities of daily living, such as eating or bathing, or will benefit from some supervision, he or she is suitable for respite care.

How to Apply for Respite Care Services

You must have a referral from a hospital, polyclinic or family service centre that your senior visits.

Step 1: Choose a Respite Care Provider

Decide if you need respite care on weekdays or weekends, and choose a preferred provider from the lists below.

* Centres that operate on Sundays. For centres’ details, such as address and operating hours, please use the E-care Locator.

Step 2: Contact the Provider for Respite Care Services
 

Your preferred provider will advise you on the next steps. At the same time, download and fill out the application form.
 

Prepare the following documents:

• A copy of your loved one’s NRIC
• A copy of your (the main caregiver’s) NRIC
• Latest medical records/hospital discharge summary of your loved one (if available). The medical records ideally should not be older than 1 year from your application for this service

*Note: A doctor’s referral is not required for the application. However, please check with the day care centre you are applying to for other documents that they may require.

Step 3: Submit the Application for Respite Care

You should submit the application form and relevant documents to the preferred provider at least 8 working days before the date you wish to use the service.

Preparing earlier will ensure that you have sufficient time to work out the necessary arrangements with your preferred centre.

This ensures that the centre has enough time to process your application. You can submit the documents by email or deliver the documents in person. If you need help in completing the application form, you may also contact the centre for assistance.

Step 4: Prepare for Pre-Admission Assessment for Respite Care Services

Upon receiving your application, the centre will contact you to arrange a pre-admission assessment with both you and your loved one at the centre.

This session helps the centre to better understand the needs of you and your loved one.

The session also gives the centre the opportunity to share their considerations and requirements with you before your loved one is enrolled on the service.

The centre will also share their considerations and requirements before your loved one is enrolled in their service.

More Respite Care Services and Caregiver Support

Read on to learn about other available respite care services and caregiver support in Singapore.

• Support at Home for Seniors with Dementia: trained staff will visit senior recipients’ homes and engage them in mind-stimulating activities. Caregivers can use this opportunity to take a break.
   
• Home Personal Care: care professionals will visit the homes of frail and homebound seniors to provide personal care services. Caregivers can use this opportunity to take a break.
   
• Home Caregiving Grant: caregivers who are looking to hire an extra pair of hands to assist them with caregiving can tap on the Home Caregiving Grant (HCG) to help defray the costs of caregiving.
   
• Support Groups: caregivers can learn useful techniques such as managing their own psychosocial well-being and share their caregiving experiences with other caregivers.
   

Costs and Subsidies for Respite Care

Government subsidies are available for respite care. Learn more about means-testing and subsidies here.

Need More Help?

You may access more information on Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) Singapore.

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