Respite Care in Singapore: Professional Home Care So You Can Rest
Homage connects you with a certified nurse or caregiver who provides care at home, so your loved one is comfortable and well looked after while you rest.
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What is respite care?
When you are the primary caregiver for an elderly parent, a family member with dementia, or someone recovering from surgery, your own needs tend to come last. Over weeks and months, this accumulates into caregiver fatigue: physical and emotional exhaustion that quietly erodes your ability to provide the care you want to give.
Respite care is a short-term arrangement where a trained professional steps in to care for your loved one while you take a proper break. It can be planned or arranged at short notice. The break can last an hour, a day, or several weeks.
In Singapore, respite care is available in several forms: at home, at a senior day care centre, or as a residential stay in a nursing home or assisted living facility.
The most flexible option is home-based respite care, which causes the least disruption to your loved one’s routine and can be arranged for as little as one hour.
Types of Respite Care in Singapore
The right type of respite care depends on how long you need and what level of support your loved one requires.
Home-based Respite Care
A certified caregiver or MOH-licensed nurse visits your loved one at home. This is the most flexible option: sessions can start from one hour and be scheduled around your routine, including evenings and weekends. Your loved one stays in familiar surroundings, which is particularly important for seniors with dementia.
Senior Day Care Programmes
Your loved one attends a structured day programme at a community centre, with meals, activities, and supervision provided. A good option for caregivers who work full-time and need regular weekday coverage during working hours.
Nursing Home Respite Care
A short-term residential stay, typically from a few days to one month, in a nursing home with round-the-clock care. Best suited when your loved one needs continuous medical monitoring or when you need to travel for an extended period.
Assisted Living Respite
A temporary stay in an assisted living facility that provides a residential, home-like environment with varying levels of support. Suitable for caregivers who need a longer break of several days to several weeks.
| Home-based (Homage) | Day Care Centre | Nursing Home | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | From $23/hr | From $30/day | From $65/day |
| Duration | From 1 hour | Daytime only | Days to weeks |
| Location | Your home | Centre-based | Nursing facility |
| Best for | Flexible, short-term relief | Social engagement + structure | Complex medical needs |
| Subsidies | HNF, HCG eligible | CHAS, AIC eligible | AIC-funded |
What we offer
Our licensed nurses and trained caregivers can support your loved one with the following while you take a break, including:
- Assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs)
- Providing companionship
- Showering, toileting and hygiene care
- Meal preparations
- Bed transfer
- Light exercises for the elderly
- Medication reminders
- Engagement activities
- Activities for dementia patients
- Night care
- Post-surgery care
- Medical escort services to appointments
- Vital signs monitoring
- Check-in visits
Why choose Homage for respite care?
Get care from experienced Care Pros
Get peace of mind with the support of our Care Pros, who are locally licensed nurses and certified caregivers.
Smooth booking process
With Homage’s care matching algorithm, you can book your sessions with ease.
Request the same Care Pro every time
Found a Care Pro that suits you and your family? Request them for future visits for greater continuity of care.
Reviews from our customers
Feeling cared for as a caregiver
“What stood out for me is how well they responded to my requests for a caregiver, they were meticulous, patient, thorough. I felt cared for as a caregiver myself searching for someone to stand in for me while I get some respite.
The caregiver from Homage that came was truly trained and professional in area of caregiving, she was observant, patient, and helpful. Even though she was an entire stranger to me and the care recipient, I knew right away the moment I saw her with the care recipient that I could trust her care. After the care visit was over, there was a thorough report made available to me, which I could use to make informed decisions when considering what the care recipient needs next. Thank you Homage for standing in the gap!”
— Cheryl Lai, Google Review
Supporting a family with emergency respite care
“When I needed urgent assistance for hygiene care for my mum, Homage was able to respond to my request and within a matter of hours, I was given a confirmation that a carer had been found. From the profile given, I was glad someone with the right experience and skillsets was assigned to the task. True enough, the fine lady turned up on time and completed the task of giving my mum a thorough clean up. She’s friendly and generous in giving advice which was very helpful. Now I know I can turn to Homage again as and when I need help. Tried, tested and a happy customer!”
— BY Ng, Google Review
Dementia night care for mum while family takes a break
“I engaged Homage to look after my dementia mum at night while the family is away. I was just trying my luck to find a suitable caregiver as I have less than a week to find one. Without fail, Homage helped me to find 3 different caregivers for 3 nights. I was amazed at such efficient service within a short time frame. I highly recommend Homage if you need part time caregivers.”
— Patricia Chia, Google Review
What to expect during a respite care visit
At the start of each visit, your Care Pro will introduce themselves and spend a few minutes understanding your loved one’s health, daily routine, and any specific preferences or instructions you have left. This handover matters, and our Care Pros take it seriously.
From there, your Care Pro will work through the relevant caregiving tasks based on your care plan: ADL support, medication reminders, companionship activities, or nursing procedures if applicable. Any concerns observed during the visit are flagged to you promptly.
If your loved one has a preferred Care Pro, you can request them for future visits through the Homage app, so the relationship and familiarity builds over time.
When should I consider engaging respite care?
Studies show that nearly 4 in 10 caregivers experience high levels of stress. In Singapore, where many families rely on a single primary caregiver, burnout often builds quietly before it is recognised.
You do not need to be at breaking point to benefit from respite care. Here are situations where short-term professional support makes a real difference:
- You want to take a break from daily caregiving to focus on your own health and wellbeing
- You are feeling stressed, anxious, or are showing signs of caregiver burnout
- You need to attend your own medical appointments or undergo a procedure
- You and your family are travelling and need temporary care coverage
- Your domestic helper is on home leave and you need interim support with transfers, showering, and daily tasks
- Your loved one has recently been discharged from the hospital and needs additional nursing support at home
- You are unwell and need time to recover without leaving your loved one without support
Cost of Engaging Respite Care in Singapore
On average, respite care services start from $23 per hour in Singapore, but care packages and subsidies are available to offset some of the cost.
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Top questions about Respite Care
What is respite care?
Respite care is a short-term arrangement where a trained professional cares for your loved one so you can take a break from caregiving duties.
In Singapore, it can be provided at home, at a senior day care centre, or in a nursing home. Home-based respite care through Homage can be scheduled from as little as one hour.
How much does respite care cost in Singapore?
Home-based respite care starts from $23 per hour for daily living care by a certified caregiver, and from $26.50 per hour for nursing care by an MOH-licensed nurse. Day care programmes typically cost from $30 per day, and nursing home respite stays from $65 per day before subsidies. Government subsidies are available to eligible families.
How much does respite care cost per day?
For a full 8-hour day of home-based daily living care, costs start from approximately $184. For nursing care, a full day starts from approximately $212. Subsidies from the Home Nursing Foundation or Home Caregiving Grant can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs for eligible families.
How much does respite care cost per week?
For a typical arrangement of 4 hours per day, 5 days a week, home-based respite care starts from approximately $460. Costs vary based on care type and applicable subsidies. Book a consultation with us for a personalised quote
How long can someone stay in respite care?
With home-based respite care through Homage, sessions can be as short as one hour with no maximum duration. You can schedule care as frequently as needed. For nursing home respite, stays typically range from a few days to one month.
What is the shortest duration for a respite care visit?
The minimum session length through Homage is one hour. This makes home-based care the most flexible respite option in Singapore, suited to caregivers who need short, frequent breaks without committing to a full day.
Does Homage provide 24-hour or overnight respite care?
Yes. Homage provides overnight and 24-hour care arrangements. If you need continuous coverage for your loved one, contact us at 6100 0055 to discuss night care or extended care options.
Who are Homage’s Care Pros?
Homage’s nurses are enrolled or registered nurses with a valid Practicing Certificate from the Singapore Nursing Board (SNB) and have at least 1 year of ward experience.
Homage’s caregivers go through training, which includes emergency response, CPR & Basic Cardiac Life Support.
They are all local and come from different walks of life, each with unique specialisations and care experiences. But they all have one common trait – a passion and dedication to delivering quality nursing care to families and care recipients.
What are the benefits of respite care?
Respite care is a win-win for both you and your loved one.
Just like your loved one, you deserve and need the same care and support for your well-being. Engaging respite care allows you to have peace of mind as you take a break to recharge and maintain your own physical and mental health, while your loved one receives safe, professional care.
When you return to caregiving, you will feel more refreshed and ready to deliver top-quality care again, which benefits both you and your loved one.
Does Homage have respite care packages?
We have interim to longer-term respite care packages with varying care durations so that you and your loved one can find a care package which best fit your needs and preferences. Respite care packages can also help save up to 20% for multiple care sessions. Reach out to our Care Advisors at 6100 0055 for more details.
Are there subsidies for engaging Homage’s respite care services?
Yes, you can apply for financial subsidies under the Home Caregiving Grant to defray the cost of engaging a caregiver. Learn more about the eligibility criteria and application process via the Agency for Integrated Care website.
How quickly will I receive the respite care service?
We aim to match a Care Pro to your requested visit within 2-3 days. For bookings made 1-2 days before the visit date, we will try our best to match a Care Pro.
How long can I engage respite care for?
Whether you are going on a holiday for a few weeks or wish to take periodic breaks over a longer period, you can plan the length and frequency of respite care sessions according to what you need.
In fact, you can even engage respite care for just an hour or two, while you run errands or take a short break.
Does Homage provide 24-hour respite care service?
Yes, we do provide 24-hour respite care services at home. Two Homage Care Professionals will be scheduled for the visits, and care will be split into 12-hour shifts to support you and your loved one round-the-clock each day.
What’s the difference between home-based respite care and other options?
In Singapore, family caregivers can get respite care for their loved ones at senior care centres, nursing homes, or in the comfort of home.
There are several factors that you should consider when deciding on the arrangement that’s best for you and your loved ones. These include:
- Duration of care
- Level of care required
- Cost of respite care
- Service provider’s availability
- Urgency (wait times for centres may be longer)
- You and your loved one’s preferences
Most importantly, you and your loved one should be comfortable with the arrangement and quality of care received, hence it’s always good to discuss with your loved one before deciding on a particular arrangement. For example, some seniors enjoy socialising with peers so a group setting will be better, but for others who prefer having their own space and the privacy of their own home, home care may be a better option.
Can 1 caregiver care for 2 care recipients at the same time?
To ensure your loved ones receive undivided attention and care, each care recipient will be matched to a dedicated caregiver who fits their needs and preferences. If there are 2 people in the same home who need care, a caregiver will be present to care for each recipient respectively.
How quickly can I get a respite care session?
Homage can typically match you with a Care Pro within a few hours of your request, subject to availability. For urgent or emergency respite needs, call us directly at our hotline listed on our website.
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