As a caregiver for a loved one facing a life-limiting illness, you may be facing many challenges and uncertainties. It can be an emotional and overwhelming experience, and you may feel like you’re juggling multiple responsibilities. We are dedicated to keeping your needs at the heart of our palliative care services, and we strive to provide you with the necessary resources and support to navigate the changing situation. Our goal is to help you provide the best possible care for your loved one while also attending to your emotional and physical needs as a caregiver.
The Meaning of Palliative Care
Palliative care is a patient-centred approach that enhances the quality of life for both patients and their families who are coping with life-threatening illnesses. By addressing physical, psychosocial, and spiritual pain and suffering through early identification, comprehensive assessment, and appropriate treatment, palliative care aims to prevent and relieve symptoms associated with advanced illnesses.
Palliative care is provided by a multidisciplinary team that includes doctors, nurses, social workers, and other healthcare professionals who work with a patient’s healthcare team to provide an extra layer of support. The care team also provides an individualised and comprehensive plan of care that addresses the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of caregivers. Not to be mistaken with terminal care, palliative care services can be provided to patients of all ages, from babies to the elderly, if they have life-threatening illnesses such as advanced cancer and chronic illnesses including end-stage kidney, heart, lung, and neurological failure. Patients with advanced dementia can also benefit from palliative care services.
Palliative care can be provided at home, in nursing homes, hospices, specialist clinics, as well as general and community hospitals, catering to every patient’s needs. Services provided include home care, daycare, inpatient care and consultative services.
Click on your preferred care type and corresponding service provider for more information.
Palliative Home Care
Palliative Day Care
Inpatient Palliative Care
Consultative Services
Palliative Home Care
Home palliative care is a vital option for patients who wish to receive care in the comfort of their own homes. This involves a team of healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, medical social workers, and clinical pastoral care counsellors, collaborating to support families caring for their loved ones at home. Together, they work towards managing the symptoms of advanced illnesses, enabling patients to stay in their familiar surroundings for as long as possible.
When you opt for home palliative care services, your loved one will be assigned a nurse who will make home visits. The frequency of visits is determined by your loved one’s condition and needs. For instance, if your loved one is stable, visits might be kept to once a month, however, if they are experiencing discomfort, then frequent visits will be provided for necessary support.
Palliative Day Care
Day palliative care is a programme in Singapore that offers a safe and supportive environment for patients who require care during the day while their family members are away at work or school. Trained healthcare professionals and volunteers organise daily activities and therapeutic programmes, such as art and movement therapy. In turn, these activities provide patients with social and recreational opportunities and respite for their caregivers.
Inpatient Palliative Care
Inpatient palliative care services are best suited for patients who require specialist care that cannot be provided at home. Loved ones can rest assured that a team of healthcare professionals will help manage patients’ symptoms and pain, ensuring they are as physically comfortable as possible. The inpatient care unit will also provide round-the-clock medical and nursing care, focusing on pain management and other symptoms – promoting comfort and improving the quality of life for patients.
- Alexandra Hospital*
- Assisi Hospice
- Dover Park Hospice
- Ren Ci Hospital
- SingHealth Community Hospitals**
(comprised of Bright Vision Hospital, Sengkang Community Hospital & Outram Community Hospital) - St Andrew’s Community Hospital
- St Joseph’s Home***
- St Luke’s Hospital
- Yishun Community Hospital
Under the Inpatient Hospice Palliative Care Service (IHPCS) from 1 April 2020, the above service providers provide:
- General palliative care for patients with palliative care needs that require inpatient management. Examples include relieving symptoms such as pain and breathlessness through oral and subcutaneous medication and socio-emotional support for patients and caregivers during this difficult time in their lives.
- Specialised palliative care for patients with complex needs requiring higher care levels (compared with general palliative care). Examples include the administration of intravenous medication and specialised wound care for complex wounds.
* Alexandra Hospital provides acute Supportive and Palliative care services and does not provide IHPCS.
** Bright Vision Hospital has been converted to house clinically-well COVID-19 patients as of April 2020.
*** St Joseph’s Home only provides general palliative care.
Consultative Services
Consultative palliative care services involve a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and social workers, who provide expert advice and support to patients, families, and other healthcare providers. These services are designed to assist with managing complex symptoms, decision-making, and communication about care goals and preferences. Consultative palliative care services can also assist with advance care planning, such as discussions around end-of-life care and making difficult medical decisions.
Costs of Palliative Care Services in Singapore
Palliative care services in Singapore have been made affordable and accessible to everyone who needs it. If you’re worried about the costs, fret not, as the government offers subsidies for palliative care services through means-testing. This takes into account the monthly household income per person to determine the level of subsidy. In addition to the government subsidy, patients can also use their Medisave for palliative care services.
To ensure that your loved one receives the appropriate palliative care, it is recommended that you seek advice from your healthcare provider. If you have concerns about the financial costs associated with palliative care services, speaking to a social worker can be helpful.
For referrals to service providers of inpatient care, home care and day care services, click here (for healthcare professional use only).
