Govt grants can bring down costs of caring for loved ones with dementia

Study shows care can cost a family $380k over 10 years, but that can be cut to $240k with aid

- Judith Tan Correspondent

Caring for a loved one with dementia can cost a family more than $380,000 over 10 years, but, with government support, the amount can be reduced to around $240,000.

The costs can spike by about 33 per cent as the condition worsens from the mild to moderate stage, owing to higher care intensity and dependency needs.

With various government support schemes, such as long-term care subsidies, expenses can be defrayed by as much as 36 per cent of the total cost.

Such grants can cover as much as 46 per cent of the total cost for families caring for someone in the severe stages of dementia.

These findings from a study commissioned by Dementia Singapore suggest that government support is effectively targeting those with the greatest care needs.

"One aspect of dementia that is overlooked is that patients with dementia often have a whole host of diseases, and those need to be addressed. Also, many often worked until they were diagnosed, and that is where there is a loss of income," said Dr Philip Yap, chairman of Dementia Singapore.

"(Another) problem is that families are getting smaller and there will be a growing number of people with dementia with no familial caregiver in the future. That means they will have to go into institutions."

The social service agency specialising in dementia care, caregiver support, training, consultancy and advocacy announced the findings on Oct 14. Conducted from May 27 to Aug 3, the study looked at 260 caregivers to those with dementia.