Introduction to Community Care & Support Services
Care recipients may fall sick and need medical help or receive care as they recover at home. They also need support with daily life, such as to eat and get dressed. For such situations, there are community-based services available to support caregivers and their loved ones.
Meanwhile, individuals who are in good health may want to take part in social activities.
Services Available
There are three main types of services available:
- Care at Home, which provides care at the care recipient’s home;
- Care Centres and Clinics, where individuals can go to in the day and return home to their families in the evening; and
- Inpatient Hospices and Nursing Homes, for those who cannot care for themselves or when they need care that cannot be provided at home.
Read on to learn more about the different services provided.
At Home
Care at home enables both you and your loved one to stay in the comfort of your homes. Whether it is delivered meals or home visits from nurses or doctors, help is on hand.
Meals on Wheels
Provides meal deliveries to your loved one who can’t buy or prepare their meals and do not have a caregiver.
Medical Escort and Transport
Provides transport and/or a companion for your loved one to and from medical appointments, such as to the hospital, specialist clinics or polyclinics.
Home Medical
Provides support to your loved one who requires help with medical needs such as physical examinations and prescriptions.
Home Nursing
For your loved one who needs nursing care at home such as wound dressing and changing of feeding tubes.
Home Therapy
Provides home-based rehabilitation, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy.
Home Personal Care
For your loved one who requires personal services at home or to help you with your caregiving duties.
Hospice Home Care
Provides care to your loved one with life-limiting illnesses who choose to remain in the comfort of their homes.
Home-based Respite Care
A day and/or night shift service that temporarily relieves you of your care duties.
At Care Centres and Clinics
Care centres and clinics provide services near home so it’s easier to navigate and stay active. This includes meeting up with peers, getting the necessary care and therapy, and giving you some time to yourself.
Active Ageing Centres
An Active Ageing Centre or Active Ageing Centre (Care) is a drop-in social and recreational space that welcomes you or your loved one who live in nearby neighbourhoods.
Day Care
Provides full-day programmes for your loved one who needs company and/or supervision while you are at work.
Community Rehabilitation Centre
Provides speech or physiotherapy to your loved one who needs to regain their abilities.
Centre-based Nursing
Provides basic nursing care such as wound management or assistance with nasogastric tubes and other equipment.
Night Respite
Night Respite is an overnight care option for caregivers of persons requiring mild to moderate assistance in their activities of daily living or persons living with dementia with sleep-wake cycle issues.
Integrated Home and Day Care (IHDC) Package
Provides comprehensive and personalised support to your loved one with multiple care needs, so they can retain their independence and quality of life for as long as possible.
Cognitive Intervention Programme
Created for persons living with mild to moderate dementia, the Cognitive Intervention Programme helps care recipients maintain or improve their cognition and functional status.
General Practitioner (GP)
Learn more about how CHAS Clinics, Family Medicine Clinics, and the Primary Care Network support you and your loved one with medical needs.
Community Health Centres (CHCs)
CHCs work with General Practitioners (GPs) to help care for patients with chronic illnesses.
At Hospices and Nursing Homes
When a loved one’s care needs have gone beyond what caregivers can provide at home, inpatient hospices and nursing homes may be another option.
Inpatient Hospice Palliative Care Service
For end-of-life patients who require on-premise inpatient care, terminal care or treatment.
Nursing Homes
Long-term residential care facilities, Nursing Homes assist residents with daily activities and nursing care needs.
Advance Care Planning (ACP)
Advance Care Planning (ACP) is the process of planning for one’s future health and personal care. It includes discussing one’s personal beliefs and goals for care with their loved ones and healthcare providers.