Home Care
Established in 2011, our Home Care team brings palliative and hospice support to patients who wish to remain in the comfort of their homes. We provide round-the-clock care, including after-hours on-call service, to ensure patients continue living with dignity and every family receives the support they need.
Eligibility
We support:
- Patients diagnosed with an advanced illness with a prognosis of less than 1 year
- Patients with cancers and non-cancers such as end-stage organ failure and advanced dementia
Referrals and Admissions
Referrals can be initiated by the care team at Tan Tock Seng Hospital. The referring doctor has to determine if the patient meets the admission criteria and resides within the designated areas in central Singapore.
Referrals to be made through the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC)/ BRIGHT portal or by completing a referral form obtained from the Singapore Hospice Council website.
Upon acceptance of referral, a call will be made to the referred patient and family, for further clarification on the service provided and the necessary arrangements to be made for the first visit to Home Care.
Referrals can be initiated by the care team at Tan Tock Seng Hospital. The referring doctor has to determine if the patient meets the admission criteria and resides within the designated areas in central Singapore.
Referrals to be made through the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC)/ BRIGHT portal or by completing a referral form obtained from the Singapore Hospice Council website.
Upon acceptance of referral, a call will be made to the referred patient and family, for further clarification on the service provided and the necessary arrangements to be made for the first visit to Home Care.
Patient Support
Our Home Care visits are more than clinical checks, we offer connection and reassurance for both patients and families.
- Patients with advanced cancer, end-stage organ failure or advanced dementia, with a prognosis of less than 3 months.
- Patients who are unable to be cared for at home due to complex symptoms or nursing needs.
| Multidisciplinary Care Team | 24/7 On-Call Support | Regular Nurses Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| A team of doctors, nurses, medical social workers, music and art therapists providing physical, psychosocial, and spiritual care | Round-the-clock advice and urgent medical support, offering peace of mind to patients and families | Scheduled visits based on patients’ changing needs to monitor symptoms and ensure ongoing comfort |
| Medical Visits | Advanced Care Planning | Caregiver Training | Equipment Assistance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home visits to manage complex symptoms and review care plans as conditions evolve | Gentle guidance for patients and families to make informed decisions and express care preferences | Hands-on coaching for family members and caregivers to ensure patient’s comfort at home | Recommend and assist in equipment loans from vendors, if needed. |
Teleconsultations
As one of the early adopters of teleconsultations in providing continuum of care for our Home Care patients during the pandemic, our team of doctors, nurses, medical social workers and allied health therapists, continue to extend the use of teleconsultation to follow up on the care of patients in stable condition at home, in addition to home visits.
Programme Dignity
Programme Dignity for Patients with Advanced Dementia
Programme Dignity, launched in 2014 with Tan Tock Seng Hospital, was created to bring compassionate, specialised palliative care into the homes of patients living with advanced dementia. As this group of patients are unable to vocalise and articulate their needs and wants, this programme enables patients to live their remaining days with dignity and better quality of life at home through individualised care plans and equipping caregivers with the skills and knowledge needed to manage distress.
Programme IMPACT
Programme IMPACT (Integrated Management and Palliative Care for Terminally-Ill Non-Cancer)
Recognising the need for palliative care among non-cancer patients, our home care team collaborated with Tan Tock Seng Hospital in 2020 to launch Programme IMPACT. The programme extends palliative home care beyond cancer, supporting patients living with end-stage organ failure, advanced lung disease and frailty.
Charges and Subsidies
Home Care Service is fully funded (at no charge), excluding ad-hoc consumables which are MediSave claimable.
