It often starts with the small things: the same question asked twice in an afternoon, a missed dose of medication, a flash of confusion in a room they’ve lived in for years.
For many families, these are the first signs that a loved one is living with dementia, and they tend to arrive with a heavy question: how do we keep them safe and cared for without uprooting the home and routines that still bring them comfort?
Dementia care offers one way forward. Instead of moving your loved one into a facility, trained caregivers and nurses come to them, bringing everything from help with daily activities to specialised nursing into familiar surroundings.
In Singapore, it sits alongside day care and nursing homes as a care option, and it can be arranged flexibly, part-subsidised through government grants, and shaped around exactly how much support your loved one needs.
What is dementia care?
Dementia home care is professional care delivered in a person’s own home by trained caregivers and nurses, shaped around the needs of someone living with dementia.
Instead of moving your loved one into a facility, the care comes to them. That helps preserve the routines, surroundings and sense of familiarity that matter so much for people experiencing memory loss.
Depending on the stage of dementia, home care can include help with activities of daily living, and clinical support like home nursing or home therapy.
Good dementia care is person-centred: it works with the individual’s history, preferences and remaining abilities rather than focusing only on what has been lost.
You can read more about professional dementia care and how it is delivered at home.
Signs your loved one may need dementia care
Dementia progresses gradually, so the need for extra support often creeps up. These are common signs that it may be time to arrange professional care:
- Increasing memory loss that disrupts daily life, such as forgetting to eat or take medication
- Disorientation, getting lost in familiar places, or wandering
- Difficulty with everyday tasks like bathing, dressing or preparing meals
- Changes in mood or behaviour, including agitation, anxiety or social withdrawal
- Safety incidents at home, such as falls, leaving the stove on, or letting strangers in
- Signs of strain in the current caregiver, including exhaustion, stress or burnout
Not every symptom means residential care is needed. Many families begin with just a few hours of home support each week and scale up as the condition changes.
Dementia care options in Singapore
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There is no single right answer, and many families combine options over time. Here are the main paths available in Singapore.
Home-based dementia care
With home care, a dementia-trained caregiver or nurse supports your loved one in their own home.
It is the most flexible option, ranging from a few hours a week to round-the-clock cover, and it keeps the person in familiar surroundings, which often reduces confusion and distress.
Dementia day care centres
Day care centres run structured daytime programmes with social activities, cognitive stimulation and supervision.
They suit people with mild to moderate dementia and families whose caregivers work during the day. Referrals are often coordinated through the Agency for Integrated Care.
Residential and nursing home dementia care
Nursing homes provide 24-hour residential care for people with advanced dementia, or when caring for someone safely at home is no longer possible even with support.
Care is delivered by professional teams in a secure, purpose-built environment.
Respite care
Respite care is short-term cover that lets the primary caregiver take a proper break, whether planned or at short notice.
Through Homage, respite care at home can be arranged from as little as one hour, which makes it a practical way to prevent burnout without disrupting your loved one’s routine.
The table below compares the options at a glance.
| Care option | What it is | Best suited for | Typical cost basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home care | Professional care in your own home, from one hour to round-the-clock | Families who want their loved one to stay at home; flexible or ongoing support | Charged hourly |
| Day care | Structured daytime programmes at a centre | Mild to moderate dementia; caregivers who work during the day | Charged per session or month; subsidy-eligible |
| Nursing home | 24-hour residential care | Advanced dementia, or when home is no longer safe | Charged monthly; subsidy-eligible |
| Respite care | Short-term cover for the primary caregiver | Caregivers who need a planned or urgent break | Hourly at home, or per stay in residential care |
How much does dementia home care cost in Singapore?
Home care is usually charged by the hour, which makes it one of the more flexible options: you pay for the level and frequency of support your loved one actually needs.
As a guide, home care in Singapore starts from around $23 per hour for daily living care by a certified caregiver, and from about $26.50 per hour for nursing care by an MOH-licensed nurse, with longer-term packages available to bring the effective rate down.
Because rates change over time, check the current Homage services and pricing page for exact figures.
Day care and nursing homes, by contrast, are usually charged per session or per month.
The full cost of dementia care extends well beyond the hourly rate. The informal cost of dementia care, including the time family caregivers give up, has been estimated at over $40,000 a year. Subsidies and grants exist specifically to ease that burden.
Government subsidies and financial assistance
Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents may qualify for government support.
The Home Caregiving Grant provides a monthly cash payout towards caregiving costs for those who meet the eligibility and means-testing criteria, and a functional or disability assessment is usually required to qualify.
The Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) coordinates referrals and can advise on the subsidies your loved one is eligible for. Because grant amounts and criteria are reviewed periodically, confirm the latest figures directly with AIC.
How to get started with dementia home care
If it all feels overwhelming, break it into steps. This is the pathway most families follow in Singapore.
| Step | Details |
|---|---|
| Get a diagnosis | Start with a GP or polyclinic, who can refer your loved one to a memory clinic or specialist for cognitive assessment. A formal diagnosis is often needed to access certain services and subsidies. |
| Assess care needs | Work out how much support is required and when. A care assessment, such as a Homage in-person or functional assessment, turns the diagnosis into a practical care plan. |
| Choose a care setting | Use the comparison above to decide between home care, day care, residential care, or a combination. |
| Apply for subsidies | Approach AIC to check eligibility for the Home Caregiving Grant and other means-tested support, and arrange any assessment required. |
| Start care and review | Begin with a manageable level of support and adjust as your loved one’s needs change over time. |
Caring for someone with dementia at home
Alongside professional care, small changes at home and in how you communicate can make daily life calmer and safer for everyone.
Create a dementia-friendly home
- Improve lighting and remove trip hazards such as loose rugs and clutter
- Install grab bars in bathrooms and beside the bed to reduce falls
- Label rooms, drawers and cupboards to aid orientation
- Secure exits and hazards, such as the stove, if wandering is a concern
Download our Caregiver Dementia Guide to learn how to create a dementia-friendly home.
Support communication and manage behavioural changes
Speak calmly and simply, giving one instruction at a time, and avoid arguing or correcting, which can increase distress.
Gently redirecting attention often works better than reasoning. Behavioural changes such as agitation or repetition are part of the condition rather than deliberate, and a trained caregiver can help you find approaches that work for your loved one.
Protect yourself from caregiver burnout
Caring for someone with dementia is a marathon, not a sprint. Accepting help is not a failure; it is what allows you to keep going. Building in regular breaks through respite care protects both your wellbeing and the quality of care you are able to give.
Why families choose Homage for dementia home care
Homage matches families with dementia-trained Care Professionals who deliver care at home, with continuity so your loved one sees familiar faces.
Care can be booked flexibly from one hour, scaled up to round-the-clock support, and every visit is logged in the app so the whole family stays informed. Homage Care Advisors can also help you understand which subsidies you may be eligible for.
If you are considering dementia home care, a free consultation with a Homage Care Advisor is a good first step. They can walk you through your options, estimate costs, and build a care plan around your loved one.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between dementia care and general elderly care?
General elderly care supports older adults with everyday needs, while dementia care is specialised support delivered by caregivers trained in memory loss and the behavioural changes dementia brings. Dementia care places more emphasis on routine, safety, cognitive engagement and person-centred approaches.
How much does dementia home care cost in Singapore?
Home care is charged hourly, starting from around $23 per hour for daily living care and more for nursing care, with packages and subsidies available. Day care and nursing homes are charged per session or per month. The actual cost depends on the level of care needed and any subsidies your loved one qualifies for.
Is there a government subsidy for dementia care in Singapore?
Yes. Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents may qualify for the Home Caregiving Grant and other means-tested support. The Agency for Integrated Care coordinates referrals and can advise on eligibility, and a functional or disability assessment is usually required.
Can a person with dementia be cared for at home?
Yes. Many people with dementia are cared for at home, especially in the early and middle stages. Home care can scale from a few hours a week to round-the-clock support, and staying in familiar surroundings often helps reduce confusion and distress.
When should someone with dementia move to a nursing home?
Residential care is usually considered when needs become too complex or unsafe to manage at home, even with support, or when round-the-clock supervision is required. There is no single rule, and a care assessment can help families decide.
How do I get a dementia diagnosis in Singapore?
Start with a GP or polyclinic, who can refer your loved one to a memory clinic or specialist for cognitive assessment. An early diagnosis opens the door to treatment, planning, and access to care services and subsidies.
Does Homage provide 24-hour dementia care at home?
Yes. Round-the-clock care can be arranged, typically with two Care Professionals working 12-hour shifts so your loved one is supported day and night.
References
Show references
- Agency for Integrated Care. (n.d.). Caregiving support and financial assistance. https://www.aic.sg/
- Ministry of Health Singapore. (n.d.). Community care support for dementia patients and caregivers. https://www.moh.gov.sg/newsroom/community-care-support-for-dementia-patients-caregivers/
- HealthHub. (2021). Dementia care (Singapore): Forget Us Not. https://www.healthhub.sg/a-z/medical-and-care-facilities/forget-us-not-initiatives
- Dementia Singapore. (n.d.). Home. https://dementia.org.sg/
- SingHealth. (n.d.). Dementia: Conditions and treatments. https://www.singhealth.com.sg/symptoms-treatments/dementia
- Homage. (n.d.). Professional dementia care in Singapore. https://www.homage.sg/services/dementia-care/
