Essentially, as the population ages, there will be more people demanding healthcare. Despite the fact that this is a normal aspect of ageing, our facilities are limited in what they can do. As a matter of fact, there is a bed shortage in most health facilities since more elderly individuals are looking for quality healthcare than there are beds available.
Due to rising life expectancy and falling birth rates, Singapore is presently undergoing an ageing society. Its life expectancy was among the greatest in the world in 2021. Meanwhile, a third of Singaporeans are forecasted to be 65 or older by 2035, whereas the median age is predicted to increase from 39.7 in 2015 reaching 53.4 in 2050. Thus, the Singaporean community is under strain as a result of such a population boom as a declining population tries to sustain an elderly society.
In order to meet the country’s healthcare demands, medical professionals forecast that the step-down care industry would grow quickly in the forthcoming years.
What Is Step Down Care?
The necessity for geriatric evaluations and the fraction of medical issues requiring rehabilitation typically shoots up as people age. The majority of their health requirements are extensive and necessarily involve a more thorough diagnostic workup and treatment. As a direct consequence, they need a prolonged hospital stay to re-establish their autonomy.
In light of the ageing population, the Singaporean government has initiated an array of initiatives to reconstruct the country’s economic system of healthcare delivery. The concept of “step-down care” pertains to acute care hospitals, community hospital care, skilled nursing facilities, in-home nursing care, and many other slow forms of care for the elders who may need more intensive long-term care.
Step-down care, as the name implies, can be employed to provide medical services for patients who are deteriorating on the wards of community hospitals, a lower level of care for those who are stepping down from critical care in acute hospitals, or a lateral transition of care from a recovery area for postoperative patients. Freeing spaces for such chronic sick units is one potential means of increasing patient flow and economic efficacy in intensive care without diminishing quality.
The Step Down Care Sector and Its Mission
First emerged in 2009 and is now widely employed, such an approach of Step Down Care arrangement benefits everyone involved since it frees up hospitals to focus on their core competencies—emergencies and critical cases—while providing seniors with higher-quality, more specialized, integrated care.
The initiative acknowledges that not every ageing folks who sought emergency medical attention need urgent treatment. Instead of being confined to an acute hospital initially, patients admitted can go immediately from emergency care to a facility that provides step-down care, like community hospitals or old folks home in Singapore, including respite care, day rehabilitation centres, assisted living, nursing homes, and the like.
Additionally, it emphasizes the necessity of specialist teams assessing senior patients early on so that any essential care can be determined and implemented right away. First and foremost, it enables the full exploitation of available services like local hospitals.
Which Step Down Care Option Is Best for Your Elderly Loved One?
In Singapore, there are numerous senior care options offered. The numerous sorts of elder care services Singapore that are available might help you decide which one is ideal for you and your ageing loved one if you’re seeking additional assistance. To understand more regarding these services, continue reading.
Community Hospitals
Public health facilities, otherwise recognized as community hospitals offer short-term care to patients who have recently been released from the hospital as well as a health treatment. To facilitate a seamless transfer and continued of patient care, they cooperate closely with the acute care services offered in general hospitals.
Community hospitals are equipped with resources and environments that facilitate healing and make it simple for patients to return to their homes and regular lives. Noting cost effectiveness, it is entirely rational to let released patients continue their treatment in community hospitals as it is more expensive to remain at a general hospital. Acute patients will be directed to community hospitals after discharge in order to continue getting treatment and medical care.
Nursing Homes
Nursing care, physical rehabilitation, dietary assistance, and dental services are just a few of the senior care services offered in nursing homes. They are staffed 24 hours a day by certified nurses. In their homes, residents frequently adhere to tight routines and schedules. The elderly with chronic psychiatric problems or dementia are also cared for in certain homes. While the typical monthly average cost to stay in the best nursing home in Singapore ranges between $1,200 and $3,500 per month, prior to subsidies.
Assisted Living
For elderly individuals that are unable to live alone but still want to have vibrant, social lives, assisted living is an excellent housing option. Although most members of these communities are engaged, some may require assistance with ADLs including clothing, showering, and using the restroom. In a secure, residential environment, elders in assisted living Singapore may anticipate customized care, nutritional meals, and a wide selection of social events to suit a range of interests and a community spirit.
Keep in mind that assisted living facilities may have safety regulations for accepting new residents as you investigate housing choices for your elderly loved one. Additionally, costs in assisted living facilities vary by neighbourhood, location, and amenities provided. Typically, assisted living costs somewhere around $4,000 and $6,500 per month and offers more amenities and care options.
Home Care
Medical services, nursing care, assistance with daily living tasks like taking a shower, companionship, and transportation are all included in home elder care services. These helpers underwent caregiver training making them eligible to also assist people who have diabetes or Alzheimer’s disease. While home-based physical, occupational, and speech therapy are all forms of rehabilitation programs.
Services for Singapore elderly co-living are frequently adaptable. With no need for a lock-in agreement, the service, for instance, can accommodate short-term or long-term consumption, and 24-hour or overnight care, allowing family members to reserve only the hours they require. The standard cost for home care services can range from $20 to $180 per hour, depending on the service type.
At Retire Genie, we recognize that managing these difficulties alone is difficult because eldercare is no stroll in the woods. Don’t be hesitant to ask for assistance if you need it; everyone deserves support from time to time.
