Difference between revisions of "End of Life"

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This is the main page for End-of-Life.
  
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==Definitions and Scope==
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For the White Paper, please click [[White Paper|here]].
  
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'''Palliative Care'''
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For the Needs Assessment, please click [[Needs Assessment of End of Life Care|here]].
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The World Health Organization (WHO) defines palliative care to be: an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problem associated with life-threatening illness, through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, physical, psychosocial and spiritual care.[http://www.ninr.nih.gov/ResearchAndFunding/Spotlight+on+End-of-Life+Research.htm]
 
  
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'''End-of-Life Care'''
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<br />
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Defining a period of time to be called “end of life” is problematic, and requires an acknowledgement of the chronic nature of many eventually fatal illnesses—such as congestive heart failure and end-stage renal disease—as well as the trajectory of dying associated with dementia and frailty in old age (IOM 2003: 55).There is no exact definition of the interval referred to as end of life, and is defined by the regulatory environment rather than by scientific data, which shows it is not possible to accurately predict an individual’s time of death (NIH 2004: 5).
 
  
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We adopt the broad definition of end-of-life that the Institute of Medicine (IOM) does, to include “the period during which an individual copes with declining health from an ultimately terminal illness, from a serious though perhaps chronic illness, or from the frailties associated with advanced age—even if death is not clearly imminent” (IOM 2003: 22). This means going beyond cancer to encompass other life-limiting illnesses, such as congestive heart failure, end-stage renal disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, liver failure, and dementia, which present their own unique challenges in end-of-life care (See NIH 2004).
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== Overview ==
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End of life care and palliative care is defined by the World Health Organisation as "an approach that improves the quality of life of patients (adults and children) and their families who are facing problems associated with life-threatening illness. It prevents and relieves suffering through the early identification, correct assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, whether physical, psychosocial or spiritual".<ref>World Health Organization. (n.d.). Palliative care. World Health Organization. Retrieved October 28, 2021, from <nowiki>https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/palliative-care</nowiki>.</ref> Even though it is an important part of healthcare, it is often overlooked and little awareness of it is raised given the taboo nature of talking about death. A survey has found out that most Singaporeans wish to die at home, however this is inconsistent with reality where most people die hospitals, nursing homes and charitable organisations <ref>''LEAVING WELL: END-OF-LIFE POLICIES IN SINGAPORE''. Lkyspp.nus.edu.sg. (n.d.). Retrieved October 28, 2021, from <nowiki>https://lkyspp.nus.edu.sg/ips/research/managing-the-challenges-of-an-ageing-society/leaving-well-end-of-life-policies-in-singapore</nowiki>.</ref>.  
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<br />
  
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Besides moving away from a definition that has acute conditions like cancer at its heart, we take on a view that the end-of-life issues matter to those with more chronic and debilitating conditions with different death trajectories. We also adopt the term ‘end-of-life’ to refer to broader social, legal, and spiritual aspects of care related to the quality of death. Therefore, end-of-life care includes palliative care and the pain and symptom management that lies at the core of it, but will also encompass other areas such as life closure, last wishes and post-demise support.This is similar to the definition that the Lien Foundation uses in The Quality of Death: Ranking of End-of-Life Care Across the World.
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== Importance of Palliative Care ==
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In Singapore, the life expectancy has increased through the years due to better medical care. As such, the lifetime spent with chronic illnesses has increased. Palliative care focuses on the quality of life of the patients nearing the end of their lives and seeks to allow them to live their final days in comfort and fulfil any goals or desire that they have in their final days. This allows for a more positive experience for the patient to make the most of their remaining days <ref>''Why is palliative care important?'' Crossroads Hospice . (n.d.). Retrieved October 28, 2021, from <nowiki>https://www.crossroadshospice.com/hospice-palliative-care-blog/2019/march/14/why-is-palliative-care-important/</nowiki>.</ref>.
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'''Palliative care in Singapore''' began 20 years ago as a grassroots movement caring for patients at home.  In 2007, palliative medicine had been recognised as a medical subspecialty by the Ministry of Health (MOH), and hospice care services provided by the Voluntary Welfare Organisations (VWOs) had expanded beyond home care to inpatient care and day care. Now in Singapore, most people receive hospice and palliative care at home. In-patient hospice care becomes necessary only when the patient cannot be cared for at home. This is in line with the national policies of encouraging aging-in-place and family as the first line of support.  
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== Stages of Palliative Care ==
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Palliative care consists of the 3 stages, Symptom Management, Hospice/End-of-life care and bereavement <ref>Tan, J. H. (2021, July 13). ''Palliative care 101: All you need to know about end-of-life care''. Homage. Retrieved October 28, 2021, from <nowiki>https://www.homage.sg/health/palliative-care/</nowiki>.</ref>. It can be provided regardless of age and stage of illness.
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'''Moving towards services for non-cancer patients'''
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==== Symptom Management ====
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Historically, palliative care has been for cancer patients, but recently, there was more recognition on the need to reaching out and helping non-cancer patients . Professionals we interviewed also reported seeing more non-cancer patients over the years. In response to the need, Ministry of Health started to fill in the gap in 2011. Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) has started Holistic care for Medically Advanced Patients (HOME) programme which looks after non-cancer patients, such as end-stage COPD and heart failure patients.
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Various medication procedures such as intubation would severely decrease the quality of life that the patient experiences, studies have shown that 32% of patients would have elected to die rather then undergo invasive Home Mechanical Ventilation <ref>Huttmann, S. E., Magnet, F. S., Karagiannidis, C., Storre, J. H., & Windisch, W. (2018). Quality of life and life satisfaction are severely impaired in patients with long-term invasive ventilation following ICU treatment and unsuccessful weaning. ''Annals of Intensive Care'', ''8''(1). <nowiki>https://doi.org/10.1186/s13613-018-0384-8</nowiki></ref>. As such, palliative symptom management seeks to address the physical symptoms, psychological, social and spiritual dimensions of suffering holistically <ref>Kittelson, S. M., Elie, M. C., & Pennypacker, L. (2015). Palliative Care Symptom Management. ''Critical care nursing clinics of North America'', ''27''(3), 315–339. <nowiki>https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cnc.2015.05.010</nowiki></ref>.
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'''Moving towards services to enable patients who wish to die at home'''
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==== Hospice/End-of-Life Care ====
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According to a survey, 83% of respondents aged 65 & above preferred to pass on at home, and even for respondents below 65 where death was not a concern for them yet, 50% of them expressed the will of passing away at home.  In our study, it was reported that most patients preferred to die at home and wanted to remain at home as long as possible. Isolated seniors with end-of-life illnesses need more help and support with end-of-life arrangement in order to achieve the wish of passing away at home. Our findings concur with the other research findings that the demand for home hospice care will definitely go up in an ageing society like ours and with many who wishes to pass on at home.
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When the illness has reached a stage where recovery is unlikely, hospice care seeks to ensure that the quality of life of the individual remains high. The primary focus of care is not longer on the recovery of the individual, instead it is placed on supporting the individual and allowing them to live comfortably.
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<br />
  
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=== Target Population: End of life issues faced by vulnerable seniors ===
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==== Bereavement ====
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A common misconception is that palliative care focuses on the individual who is ill. However, palliative care extends further to include the families and love ones, ensuring that their emotional needs are met to help them cope with the grief of losing a loved one. This includes counselling and other forms of support that is provided.
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We define vulnerable seniors to be those who are old, poor and have limited or no family support. There are at around 20,000 seniors who are poor and may not have adequate family support based on triangulating information from the Housing and Development Board (HDB) on seniors living alone, living in rental flats, earning less than $1000 a month.  Adopting our broader definition of end-of-life care—given that these are elderly persons—they will have end-of-life issues whether they have been diagnosed with terminal illnesses or not.
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== Advance Care Planning ==
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There are about '''25,000''' seniors living in rental flats in 2008 (old and poor). About '''20,000''' of seniors living in HDB flats who are still working earn less than $1,000 a month in 2008 (old and poor). About 22,000 seniors are living alone in HDB flats in 2008 ('''old and no family support'''). Therefore, we estimate that there are at least 20,000 seniors who are poor and may not have adequate family support.
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==Resource Directory==
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See HDB publications:
 
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*Well-Being of Elderly (see page 130 onwards) [http://www.hdb.gov.sg/fi10/fi10297p.nsf/ImageView/Survey2008/$file/Monogram+2+Lores_R1.pdf]
 
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*Profile of HDB Elderly and Future Elderly Resident Population (page 26)[http://www.hdb.gov.sg/fi10/fi10297p.nsf/ImageView/Survey2008/$file/Monogram+1+Lores.pdf]
 
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===Client Segments===
 
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[Eg. For at risk youth, some could have behavioural problems and be beyond parental control. Others could merely be disengaged and bored in school. Because it seems like different engagement strategies can be customized to these sub-types, it may make sense to segmentize.]
 
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Possible ideas: Individuals living alone vs Individuals living with family;
 
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===Size of Target Population===
 
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We estimate that about 20,000 vulnerable seniors will need end of life care, and the demand of end-of-life care for vulnerable seniors will continue to increase over the years. Depending on the specific indicator used for wealth, there were about 18,000-25,000 low-income seniors in Singapore in 2008. There were about 22,000 seniors who were living alone in HDB flats in 2008,  and many of these had no family support. 
 
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Furthermore, with the rapidly aging population that 1 out of 5 will be aged 65 years old and above by 2030, seniors living alone may rise from 35,000 now to 83,000 by 2030.
 
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===Palliative Care System in Singapore===
 
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"Hospice and palliative care is a holistic approach to caring for patients going through serious illness. It aims to meet all needs (physical, emotional, psychosocial and spiritual) so as to alleviate suffering and maximise quality of life for patients and their loved ones" (Definition from Singapore Hospice Council).
 
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'''Why do we need more palliative care in Singapore?'''
 
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By 2030, one in four citizens will be 65 or older, with the top three causes of death being chronic, or related to chronic, illness (Cancer - 29.7%; Pneumonia - 19.4%; and Heart Diseases and related conditions - 22.8%).
 
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'''Financial Cost of Palliative Care'''
 
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The cost of palliative care is estimated to be S$290 per day for inpatient care, less than S$100 per day for home consultations and S$12 per day for day hospice care. Government subsidies are available - up to S$200 per day may be used from the Medisave. Financial assistance from Voluntary Welfare Organisations (VWOs) is also available for patients in need.
 
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However, 50% if Singaporeans are unaware of hospice palliative care. In particular, awareness is low among the older Chinese Singaporeans - only one in four claim to be 'aware'.[https://justcausewebsite.herokuapp.com/articles/cBPDHFjRQo68xZuTw?target_groups=zxksYSQQJoYB9CqvR,usQnmLSvmEQP7qzeu&services=ciaguGbsRv9W2typZ]
 
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==Desired outcomes- What is a Good Death==
 
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A good death is being able to choose conditions of your own dying. For most, this means dying at home surrounded by loved ones and in relatively pain free conditions.
 
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==White Paper (Work-in-Progress)==
 
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===Executive Summary===
 
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===Psychological Aspects===
 
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===Infrastructure Needs===
 
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===Financial Considerations===
 
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===Family, Society, Polity===
 
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===Conclusion===
 
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==Past Research in Singapore==
 
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===Strengthening Safety Nets for the Elderly should be a Societal Concern (IPS Commons, 2016)===
 
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SUGGESTED ACTIONS[https://www.ipscommons.sg/strengthening-safety-nets-for-the-elderly-should-be-a-societal-concern/]:
 
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*Means-tested and limited unemployment benefits scheme to provide elderly workers with financial buffer as they seek/train for a job more suitable for their age and physical ability
 
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*Raising the Silver Support Scheme (SSS) payout, which seems too low for our current cost of living
 
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*Government to amend the Constitution and increase the percentage of returns that it can spend in order to finance 1 & 2
 
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===When Age Matters (IPS Commons, 2016)===
 
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SUGGESTED ACTIONS[http://lkyspp2.nus.edu.sg/ips/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2013/04/pa_YA_TD_When-Age-Matters_220116.pdf]:
 
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*Open conversations, acknowledge existing problems, using specific terms such as “age-friendly”, “age-aware” to set a different, more friendly tone
 
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*Workplaces to acknowledge needs and capabilities of workers of different age groups. Arrange for training, counselling and wellness programmes as a direct but encouraging acknowledgment of their needs
 
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===Healthcare Services and Accessibility for the Elderly===
 
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SUGGESTED ACTIONS[link here]:
 
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*Expand MediShield to include all Singaporeans regardless of age or pre-existing illnesses
 
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*Ensure all Singaporeans can pay the premium i.e.  higher premiums for the extreme elderly or those with pre-existing illnesses
 
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*Limit individual’s risk of medical bankruptcy by putting a cap on what they have to pay as their share 
 
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===The Policy Implications of Dying: End of Life Care (Civil Service College, 2007)===
 
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*To study to what extent governments should advocate and regulate end-of-life care and how
 
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===National Guidelines for Palliative Care and Interpretation Guide (Singapore Hospice Council, 2015)===
 
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*Help service providers better understand the requirements and desired outcomes of the National Guidelines for Palliative Care so they can put in place appropriate processes and practices to achieve these aims[https://singaporehospice.org.sg/shc/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/NGPCInterpret2015Dec.pdf]
 
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===International Conference on Clinical Ethics and Consultation (ICCEC) held in Singapore, 2017===
 
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*One main theme of the conference is to examine changing attitudes to end-of-life care
 
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**End-of-life decision making factors, such as mental capacity, quality of life, and vulnerability.
 
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**Clinical, cultural and institutional practices and context that shape patients preferences and beliefs at the end-of-life.
 
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**Tools for making healthcare decisions before the patient loses capacity and palliative care.[http://www.iccec2017.com/conference-programme-0]
 
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=== Needs of People Facing End of Life Issues (NCSS) ===
 
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==== Need to be identified as facing end-of-life issues  ====
 
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SYNOPSIS: Entry to specialised end-of-life care is through the medical system, but this neglects ‘dwindling deaths’ that are more chronic.
 
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'''Existing Resources'''
 
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There have been public education campaigns to increase public awareness of end-of-life care options , such as Lien Foundations’ ‘Life Before Death’, an internet-based campaign to raise awareness of end-of-life issues , and initiatives such as National Healthcare Decisions Day, using life insurance as opportunity for end-of-life dialogue, blogs, life half-time events, which will be able to reach out to educated classes and overcome the taboo. 
 
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'''Gaps and Their Causes'''
 
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*Anecdotal information showed that vulnerable seniors with terminal illnesses—those with low-income and have little or no family support—were often not fully aware or were reluctant to engage the palliative care options open to them. A survey conducted by Singapore Hospice Council also showed that public awareness of end-of-life care options was low in general, especially among low-income groups.
 
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*A survey conducted by Ngee Ann Polytechnic in 2009 also found that though 80% of the respondents knew that hospices provided a place of care for the terminally ill, half were not aware of the availability of hospice services in Singapore. (In 2009, the findings on death attitudes in Singapore were released. The survey was commissioned by Lien Foundation and conducted by Ngee Ann Polytechnic). 
 
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*In general, cultural values may impede advanced care planning needed to let patients make informed choices about their end-of-life options. 1 in 4 who was admitted did not know about their diagnosis, 1 in 2 was unaware of their prognosis, and many were not ready to engage in advanced care planning, in a survey done in 2010 (ST 1 Dec 2011).
 
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*Truth telling and disclosure from families and doctors may also be a barrier as there is a cultural preference for protecting the patient from truth. A survey shows that 60% of those polled were reluctant to discuss death with those who are terminally ill (Lien 2009).These values and beliefs may lead to unnecessary suffering prior to death, for example, when patients passed on painfully because families insisted on treatments (Living with the end in mind, page 16).
 
  
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*While there are many good public education ideas to improve awareness, the likelihood of such initiatives being able to reach out to vulnerable seniors, who are not as highly educated, remains low, because of the language and media barriers. First of all, majority of vulnerable seniors do not converse in English; second, most of them are not internet-savvy or do not even have internet access.
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===Government Policy and Organisations===
  
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'''Possible Solutions'''
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====Government Organisations====
  
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*'''Relay understandable information to seniors through community touch points.''' Instead of campaigning online or conducting public education targeted at seniors directly, which usually turn out to be ineffective because of the language and media barriers, it might be more useful to equip various community touch points, such as Senior Activity Centre (SAC) staff or befrienders, with sufficient knowledge of end-of-life services & resources so they can relay the information to seniors who need such services/resources. Therefore, we recommend that we should move the communication upstream, and information could be provided to seniors even before they enter the medical system. Community touch points such as SACs can therefore do more to educate seniors about end-of-life care options in a culturally sensitive manner, and can even do some simple diagnostics before referring them to relevant services.  
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{| class="wikitable" cellpadding="50"
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| bgcolor="white" |'''Name'''
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*'''Involve religious groups to do public education on end-of-life issues.''' It might be easier to openly talk about end-of-life issues when discussing spiritual or afterlife topics in religious settings, such as in temples or churches. Therefore, we recommend that we could involve religious groups/organisations to do more public education on end-of-life issues and care options so as to overcome the cultural taboo.
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| bgcolor="white" |'''Description'''
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|-
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|Agency for Care Effectiveness (ACE)[https://www.moh.gov.sg/content/dam/moh_web/ACE-HTA/index.html]
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|
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*National health technology assessment agency in Singapore, established by MOH in 2015
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*Publishes guides that outline recommendations on the appropriate use of health technologies
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*Publishes 'Appropriate Care Guides' that detail recommended care practices and pathways to improve selected areas of therapy
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|-
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|Agency for Integrated Care (AIC)[https://www.aic.sg/]
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|
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*Coordinates and facilitates effort among care providers for care integration
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*Developed Living Matters in 2011 - a national Advance Care Planning programme[https://www.livingmatters.sg/]
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|-
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|Ministry of Health (MOH)[https://www.moh.gov.sg/content/moh_web/home.html]
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|
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*Statistics on Admissions and Outpatient Attendances, as well as home and in-hospice palliative care, is provided[https://www.moh.gov.sg/content/moh_web/home/statistics/Health_Facts_Singapore/Admissions_and_Outpatient_Attendances.html]
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|-
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|}
  
 
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==== Need for public to be aware of options & accept their validity  ====
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====End-of-Life Planning====
  
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SYNOPSIS: Awareness & acceptance of palliative care is low; likely due to cultural stigma
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{| class="wikitable" cellpadding="50"
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| bgcolor="white" |'''Name'''
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'''Existing Resources'''
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| bgcolor="white" |'''Description'''
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|-
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[http://www.bothsidesnow.sg/ BOTH SIDES, NOW] - A community engagement project about what it means to live well, and leave well, and an ongoing project by the co-presenters since 2013. Presented by Lien Foundation, Ang Chin Moh Foundation, Drama Box and ArtsWok Collaborative, the current 3-year iteration will see a longer-term community-centric approach in two communities, with community collaborators, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital in Chong Pang, and Montfort Care in Telok Blangah.  
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|Advanced Medical Directive (AMD)
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|
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'''Gaps and Their Causes'''
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*Legal document
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*Oral and/or written instructions that convey treatment preferences in the event of a loss of decision-making capacity
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'''Possible Solutions'''
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*Includes '''living wills''', which are written, legal documents that spell out the preferred types of medical treatments and life-sustaining measures under specific circumstances
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*Allows patients to indicate their wish not to have any extraordinary life-sustaining treatment to be administered should they become unconscious or incapable of decision-making and are suffering from terminally illness
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|-
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|Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)
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|
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*Legal document
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*Legally designates a healthcare proxy who would make decisions on the healthcare of the individual in the event the individual is unable to do so
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|-
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|Advance Care Planning (ACP)
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|
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*Not limited to end-of-life scenarios, but extends to long-term care situations as well
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*ACP is a process of assisting the individual to :
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**understand their medical condition and potential future complications;
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**understand the options for future medical care as it relates to their current health condition;
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**reflect upon their goals, values and personal beliefs;
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**consider the benefits and burdens of current and future treatments;
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**discuss choices with family/important others and health providers, and document these choices.
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|-
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|Syariah Court Singapore (for Muslims)
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|
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*Facilitates the distribution of the deceased’s estate through the Inheritance Certificate according to Muslim law
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|-
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|}
  
 
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==== Need for access to  understandable information & effective referral ====
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====Palliative care offered in inpatient hospital care====
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SYNOPSIS: Main source of information is through the medical system, but not all hospitals—even those with a palliative care team—are able to help all families become better informed about the role of hospices.
 
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'''Existing Resources'''
 
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'''Gaps and Their Causes'''
 
  
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'''Possible Solutions'''
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{| class="wikitable" cellpadding="50"
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| bgcolor="white" |'''Name'''
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| bgcolor="white" |'''Description'''
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|-
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|Changi General Hospital (CGH)
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|
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|-
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|Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH)
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|
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|-
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|KK Women's and Children's Hospital
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|
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*Palliative Care for children with cancer
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|-
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|National Cancer Centre Singapore, Department of Palliative Medicine (NCCS)[https://www.nccs.com.sg/PatientCare/ClinicalSpecialties/PalliativeMedicine/Pages/Home.aspx]
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|
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*Specialist centre in Singapore addressing cancer
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*First institution to establish a stand-alone Division of Palliative Medicine in Southeast Asia
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|-
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|National University Hospital (NUH)
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|
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*As more elderly have died in the Emergency Department (ED) in recent years, NUH started a dedicated palliative care service in its emergency department to relieve patients' suffering<ref>Cheong, 2014. National University Hospital starts palliative care service in emergency department. Retrieved from http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/national-university-hospital-starts-palliative-care-service-in-emergency-department</ref>
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*e.g. Quiet room where family members can spend their last moments with the patient
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|-
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|Ng Teng Fong General Hospital (NTFGH)
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|
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|-
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|Palliative Care @ Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH)[https://www.ttsh.com.sg/palliativemedicine/]
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|
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*Care Continuity - by collaborating with Hospice partners to ensure seamless care transition for patients who want to transit to home or to inpatient hospices to receive palliative care. Partner Hospices include Dover Park Hospice, Assisi Hospice and HCA Hospice Care.
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|-
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|}
  
 
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====Need to manage pain & symptoms====
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===Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)===
  
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SYNOPSIS: Not perfect, but palliative care is growing through efforts of many medical establishments and Ministry of Health
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====Hospice Care====
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'''Existing Resources'''
 
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'''Gaps and Their Causes'''
 
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'''Possible Solutions'''
 
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====Need to die under conditions and place of own choice====
 
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SYNOPSIS: Generally, individuals prefer to die at home, but it is unclear if vulnerable seniors who have no social support feel the same
 
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'''Existing Resources'''
 
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'''Gaps and Their Causes'''
 
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'''Possible Solutions'''
 
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====Need for psychosocial well-being, community integration and social usefulness====
 
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SYNOPSIS: Existing studies indicate this is important and potentially neglected area because most services provide ‘recreational’ activities but do not see how seniors with end-of-life issues can also be contributing members to the activities
 
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'''Existing Resources'''
 
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'''Gaps and Their Causes'''
 
  
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*A study on death attitudes in Singapore found that psychological concerns and fulfillment was the second and third most mentioned categories of responses, just after physical conditions, when asking about the things to be considered as the most important when dying. Therefore, one of the important factors for Singaporeans to die well is, besides good pain and symptom management, psychosocial support they would receive from informal and formal caregivers so as to keep their last few days meaningful and surrounded by love and care (Survey commissioned by Lien Foundation and conducted by Ngee Ann Polytechnic in 2009).
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{| class="wikitable" cellpadding="50"
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| bgcolor="white" |'''Name'''
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*Currently, terminally ill seniors who need psychosocial support services will be referred by the hospice nurses to their in-house psychosocial care staff i.e. medical social workers or counsellors, for assessment, case management and counselling services. NCSS End of Life Needs Assessment: interviews with hospice service providers are the inadequacy of funding for psychosocial support, the shortage of psychosocial care staff, as well as a dearth of local educational & training opportunities and support networks for these staff.
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| bgcolor="white" |'''Description'''
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|-
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'''Possible Solutions'''
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|Singapore Hospice Council[http://singaporehospice.org.sg/]
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|
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*'''MOH continue funding psychosocial support services for patients.''' MOH started funding psychosocial visits (social worker’s visits) in 2010, and we would like to advocate for funding for psychosocial support services (for patients) to remain and expand, not only for psychosocial visits (social worker’s visit) to patients’ home, but also to include other services that hospice service providers initiated to provide psychosocial support to patients and allow them to be meaningfully engaged in their last few days.
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*Umbrella body representing all organisations actively providing hospice and palliative care in Singapore
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|-
−
*'''Move towards community model/communal projects.''' Since there is always a shortage of psychosocial care staff in the sector, we recommend that NCSS or service providers could work with the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre (NVPC) to start communal/volunteer programmes in palliative care such as tapping on community resources such as skilled/experienced former caregivers to be the volunteers or to be the trainer to other volunteers, so as to provide psychosocial support, or even instrumental support, to patients.
+
|Assisi Hospice[http://www.assisihospice.org.sg/]
−
 
+
|
−
*'''Overseas models for reference:'''
+
*Founded by the Franciscan Missionaries of the Divine Motherhood (FMDM) Sisters in 1969
−
**Home Hospice (Sydney) uses a community development approach to deliver a community mentoring program for carers who want to care for terminally ill person at home. Mentors are volunteers who themselves have been carers or part of a caring network for a terminally ill person. Mentor is paired with carer, helping caregiver to find and access formal services where available.
+
*Offers home care, day care, hospice care and equipment loan
−
 
+
|-
−
**A multidisciplinary, interfaith, grassroots community group of professionals and laypersons created a replicable model to enhance palliative and end-of-life care. The Collaborative for Palliative Care leverages existing community assets and capacities within the health and social service programs of Westchester County, New York, resulting in a unique public-private partnership. It has played a critical role in changing the culture of care for residents of Westchester who are faced with the challenges of serious and terminal illness.
+
|Dover Park Hospice [http://www.doverpark.org/]
−
 
+
|
−
*'''Organise professional networks to support psychosocial care staff.''' With the limited educational and training resources locally, we recommend that NCSS could set up a common platform for psychosocial care staff to share available resources as well as to share the best practice with each other, such as through professional networks or community of practice.
+
*Founded in 1992, Dover Park Hospice has served as a tranquil sanctuary for over 10,000 patients and families over the years, meeting their unique physical, emotional, psycho-social and spiritual needs through holistic palliative care.
 +
*Offers home care, hospice care and equipment loan
 +
|-
 +
|HCA Hospice Care [https://www.hca.org.sg/]
 +
|
 +
*Singapore's largest home hospice care provider and is a registered charity since 1989
 +
*Conducts palliative care training for its patients' caregivers, as well as other services such as day hospice care, paediatric palliative care, bereavement support and outreach programmes
 +
*Offers home care, day care and equipment loan
 +
|-
 +
|Hua Mei Centre for Successful Ageing (HMCSA) [https://tsaofoundation.org/]
 +
|
 +
*Integrated collective of various community aged care service models that have been pioneered by the organisation since 1993. They offer services ranging from care management, to traditional chinese medicine and dementia care systems
 +
|-
 +
|Metta Hospice Care [https://www.metta.org.sg/hq/]
 +
|
 +
*Offers home hospice care and equipment loan
 +
|-
 +
|MWS Home Hospice [https://mws.sg/]
 +
|
 +
*Started by the Methodist Welfare Services
 +
*Offers home hospice care and equipment loan
 +
|-
 +
|Singapore Cancer Society [https://www.singaporecancersociety.org.sg/]
 +
|
 +
*Community-based voluntary welfare organisation
 +
*Does research and advocacy, public education, screening, financial assistance, patient services and support, and rehabilitation
 +
*Offers home hospice care and equipment loan
 +
|-
 +
|St. Andrew's Community Hospital [https://www.singaporecancersociety.org.sg/]
 +
|
 +
*Offers inpatient and home hospice care
 +
|-
 +
|St. Joseph's Home [https://www.singaporecancersociety.org.sg/]
 +
|
 +
*Offers inpatient hospice care
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
----
 
----
  
−
====Need for caregivers to have bereavement and post-demise support  ====
+
====Nursing Homes====
−
 
 
−
'''Existing Resources'''
 
−
 
 
−
'''Gaps and Their Causes'''
 
−
 
 
−
*For caregivers, literature shows that end-of-life caregivers would have greater unmet needs before and after the death of their care recipient and that they would report lower levels of well-being than continuing caregivers.  A study by an Aged Care Transition (Action) team  found that in fact many seniors who need end-of-life care are cared for by spouses who could be as old and frail as them. The majority of these senior caregivers have little education and many also have health problems as more than half are above 65 years old. From our interviews with professionals, it was reported that 80% of these senior caregivers (aged 60 years and above) need psychosocial support after their spouses passed away.
 
−
 
 
−
*Caregivers who were identified in to have more psychosocial care needs after the patients passed away are: (NCSS End of Life Needs Assessment)
 
−
**Senior caregivers who lost their spouse and have no children
 
−
**Senior caregivers who lost their spouse and are now living alone
 
−
**Senior caregivers who lost their spouse and have limited interaction with others or estranged family relationships
 
−
 
 
−
*Existing training programmes, support groups and volunteer befrienders do help to relieve caregiver burden, but the options for caregiver support can also be enlarged to allow caregivers choices that are suitable for their circumstances.
 
−
 
 
−
*There are existing caregiver training programmes conducted by HCA Hospice Care & Metta Hospice Care for caregivers of persons with life-limiting illnesses to learn how to manage the care at home. HCA Hospice Care also runs other support services such as the Sunflower Remembrance Day  which is a memorial service for bereaved caregivers.
 
  
−
*However, the common themes which reoccur in our interviews with hospice service providers are the lack of longer-term support for bereaved caregivers and their families, especially for bereaved elderly spouse who lives alone or families with young children, as well as the lack of funding for bereavement support within the hospice service boundary.
+
{| class="wikitable" cellpadding="50"
−
 
+
| bgcolor="white" |'''Name'''
−
*Professionals also reported that transition from hospice service to other agencies for post-demise support was generally poor. Those who need post-demise support are usually referred to Family Service Centres (FSCs). However, caregivers might not want to be referred to other agencies as:
+
| bgcolor="white" |'''Description'''
−
 
+
|-
−
**The referred FSC might not be in their vicinity; and
+
|Allium Healthcare
−
 
+
|
−
**Good rapport built between hospice social worker and the family was lost when being transferred to FSCs for follow-up services. The caregiver/family was generally reluctant to repeat history to “a stranger”, especially when the patient just passed away.
+
*New private nursing home along Venus Drive
−
 
+
*Proposed 4-storey, 129-bed facility
−
'''Possible Solutions'''
+
*Designed to be a premium product, to meet the demand from the middle- to upper-income group
 +
*Of the 129 beds, 51 are single-occupancy care suits of 225 sq ft each, while 16 are companion suites of 327 sq ft each with en-suite bathroom, and executive suites start from 409 sq ft.
 +
*6 care suits and 2 companion suites will be set aside for residents with dementia, and 15 companion suites for subsidised residents
 +
*10 to 12 residents will share a living and dining area and a kitchen, as well as an area for rehabilitation and exercise facilities, in a "household"<ref>GK Goh to launch purpose-built nursing home. Retrieved from https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/gk-goh-launch-purpose-built-003000526.html</ref>
 +
|-
 +
|Jade Circle Nursing Home
 +
|
 +
*Co-funded by Lien Foundation and Khoo Chwee Neo Foundation, in partnership with Peacehaven nursing home
 +
*Following the "Silver Hope" Model <ref>Yong, 2016. Singapore nursing homes need new model of care: Lien Foundation CEO. Retrieved from https://sg.news.yahoo.com/depersonalised-and-dehumanising-singapore-113454493.html </ref>
 +
*In 2015, Jade Circle was proposed as a 60-bed nursing home with single and twin-bedded rooms for subsidised patients, not just private patients
 +
*However, this was aborted because MOH considered that the conversion of all nursing homes to single and double-bedded rooms would hurt the affordability of care, if this model were to be scaled up
 +
*Lien Foundation commissioned 3 studies<ref>Nursing Homes Singapore. Retrieved from http://nursinghomes.sg/</ref>:
 +
**"The Economics of Singapore Nursing Home Care" by consulting firm Oliver Wyman concluded that if the next 5000 nursing home beds (MOH to increase number of nursing home beds from 12000 to 17000 in 2020) follow the Silver hope model it would cost an additional $19 million annually – or an additional $8 to 13 per resident per day. However, cost savings would be generated through lower hospitalisation rates as these proposed living arrangements would ensure that elderly have the opportunities to be more mobile<ref>Chan, 2016. Nursing home patients could benefit from fewer beds in wards: Study. Retrieved from https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/nursing-home-patients-could-benefit-from-fewer-beds-in-wards-stu-7919038</ref>
 +
**"Safe but Soulless" by Radha Basu provided an overview of nursing homes today and suggested possible ways to overcome challenges.
 +
**"Supporting Singaporeans’ Aspirations for Aged Care" by The Nielsen Company showed that Singaporeans are most concerned about being able to care for oneself and ageing in place, 60% of respondents thought that residents in nursing homes should stay in single or twin-bedded rooms
 +
*90% of current nursing home beds are in 6- or 8-bedder dorms. The other 5% to 10% are single or twins, but more for infection control purposes. Japan had already phased out 6-bedder wards 40 years ago, and single beds has been the norm for almost a decade.
 +
*Revived in 2017 after the revision of plans, and to be completed in 2019<ref>Phua, 2017. Jade Circle nursing home project revived, to be ready end-2019. Retrieved from https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/jade-circle-nursing-home-project-revived-to-be-ready-end-2019-9008096 </ref><ref>Boh, 2017. Plans revived for nursing home with single, twin rooms. Retrieved from http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/plans-revived-for-nursing-home-with-single-twin-rooms </ref>:
 +
**Extension to the north of the current Peacehaven Nursing Home in Changi
 +
**First in Singapore to adopt an ‘anti-diaper, restraint-free’ policy, made possible with specially imported beds that can be lowered to prevent falls, and which have sensors that can detect movement.
 +
**Reduction from original 60 beds to 22 beds (8 single rooms and 7 twin-sharing rooms)
 +
**Non-nurses to be trained as senior care associates, to give the caregiving manpower at the nursing home a boost. 22 residents in Jade Circle will be divided into two “households”, each cared for by a senior care associate, who will be assisted by a nursing aide.
 +
**Expanded scope to include bigger day activity centre so that elderly can age in community. Two-storey activity centre to include hydrotherapy pool, cafe, hair salon and gym
 +
**Unlike original concept, includes "full spectrum" of senior services from active ageing and preventive care to rehabilitation and residential care
 +
**Depending on the level of care needed, the estimated fees range between 1500 and 2500 for day centre care, and 2000 to 3500 for residential care before means testing
 +
**Overall development cost of Jade Circle has been reduced from the original $15 million to $14 million
 +
*Jade Circle as important pilot to set people thinking about long term care and the philosophy of dignity and humanity – providing a de-medicalised and more home-like model of care that prioritises resident autonomy beyond safety and risk management
 +
|-
 +
|Kampung Admiralty
 +
|
 +
*An 11-storey Housing Board complex as Singapore's first 'retirement kampung'
 +
*100 studio flats for the elderly
 +
*Includes medical and senior-care centres, a food court, shops and community gardens
 +
*Hopes to empower seniors to function independently in the community for as long as they can <ref>Basu, 2017. Long-term eldercare: More options now, but more data also needed. Retrieved from http://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/long-term-eldercare-more-options-now-but-more-data-also-needed </ref>
 +
*Similar to Assisted Living Options, but with no caregiver on standby for residents with dementia<ref>Yuen, 2018. More home-based care options likely for seniors. Retrieved from http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/housing/more-home-based-care-options-likely-for-seniors </ref>
 +
|-
 +
|Lions Home
 +
|
 +
*Runs two facilities in Bishan and Bedok
 +
*Initiative to let residents wear their own clothes since 2001 so as to make care "less institutional" <ref>Poon, 2017. Lions Home residents get to wear their own clothes. Retrieved from http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/lions-home-residents-get-to-wear-their-own-clothes </ref>
 +
*Rehabilitation programmes include a motion sensing video game system for residents to exercise their range of movement, coordination and other physical functions <ref>Poon, 2017. Bringing quality care up a notch at nursing homes. Retrieved from http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/bringing-quality-care-up-a-notch-at-nursing-homes </ref>
 +
|-
 +
|NTUC Health [http://ntuchealth.sg/]
 +
|
 +
*Has three nursing home in Geylang East, Chai Chee and Jurong West
 +
*Focus on getting seniors back home as early as possible, so that they can continue their rehabilitation in the community
 +
|-
 +
|Orange Valley Nursing Home
 +
|
 +
*Largest operator of nursing home facilities in Singapore with more than 1000 beds
 +
*First privately owned nursing home to provide outpatient rehabilitation services
 +
*Cost of staying at the home ranges from $3500 for private patients who opt for the open ward to $9000 for a private one-bedded room a month. Open wards are also available for subsidized patients.<ref>Choo, 2018. Orange Valley opens sixth nursing home. Retrieved from http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/orange-valley-opens-sixth-nursing-home </ref>
 +
|-
 +
|Peacehaven Nursing Home
 +
|
 +
*Introduced incentivising model of care: Residents have to “earn” money through exercise sessions and daily chores before they can “spend” it activities they enjoy e.g. massage, instant noodles, biscuits, sweets
 +
*Giving residents their autonomy and keep their way of life, replicated from outside
 +
*Giving them choices and a sense of control in how much they exercise and spend their money empowers them with a sense of purpose<ref>Tai, 2017. 20 cents for a massage, 60 cents for instant noodles: Peacehaven nursing home residents 'earn' and 'spend' on activities. Retrieved from http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/20-cents-for-a-massage-60-cents-for-instant-noodles</ref>
 +
|-
 +
|Ren Ci Nursing Home in Ang Mo Kio
 +
|
 +
*Dementia-friendly 'cluster-living' options for nursing home residents
 +
*470-bed nursing home is the "biggest departure yet from the medicalised dormitory-style accommodation"
 +
*16 residents in each four-bedded rooms 'household'<ref>Tai, 2016. Singapore nursing home models ‘need to balance benefits, cost’. Retrieved from http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/spore-nursing-home-models-need-to-balance-benefits-cost </ref>
 +
|-
 +
|St. Andrew Nursing Home (SANH)
 +
|
 +
*Jurong home: Inter-generation playground and childcare within its premises for inter-generational bonding
 +
*Henderson home: "open concept" to encourage,and allow residents to interact with the community, especially those living in Henderson, Telok Blangah and Bukit Merah)<ref>Chua, 2018. Integrated nursing home and senior care centre opens in Henderson. Retrieved from http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/integrated-nursing-home-and-senior-care-centre-opens-at-henderson </ref>
 +
|-
 +
|St Bernadette Lifestyle Village
 +
|
 +
*Private facility in Bukit Timah that provides 24-hour medical concierge and meals
 +
*8 residents get help to live independently, including going on shopping trips to shopping malls
 +
*Fees are at $3650 per month<ref>Yuen, 2018. More home-based care options likely for seniors. Retrieved from http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/housing/more-home-based-care-options-likely-for-seniors </ref>
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
----
 
----
  
−
====Need for life closure & last wishes  ====
+
====Other NGOs====
  
−
'''Existing Resources'''
+
{| class="wikitable" cellpadding="50"
−
 
+
| bgcolor="white" |'''Name'''
−
'''Gaps and Their Causes'''
+
| bgcolor="white" |'''Description'''
−
 
+
|-
−
'''Possible Solutions'''
+
|Active Ageing Hub
 +
|
 +
*MOH plans to build 10 Active Ageing Hubs in new public housing estates
 +
*Part of a $3 billion plan, first announced by MOH to help Singaporeans lead active lives as they age
 +
*Rehabilitative care and social programmes for the residents in the area, complementing services offered by the hospital in Serangoon Road
 +
*First completed Hub located in McNair Road, meeting the needs of elderly residents in Kallang and Whampoa
 +
*For a nominal annual fee of $5, residents have access to gym and activities like line-dancing and IT classes
 +
*40 daycare places for elderly residents, and provides medical care at home for 100 house-bound residents in the area
 +
*Another centre to be opened in St George's Lane in 2019, just five minute from the centre in McNair Road. Together, they will serve 1500 elderly residents <ref>Abdullah, 2017. Active ageing hub opens in McNair Road. Retrieved from http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/active-ageing-hub-opens-in-mcnair-road</ref>
 +
|-
 +
|Lien Centre for Palliative Care[https://www.duke-nus.edu.sg/research/centres/lien-centre-palliative-care]
 +
|
 +
*Collaboration between Lien Foundation and Duke-NUS Medical School
 +
*Research programmes looking into clinical, social and cultural aspects of palliative care in Singapore and Asia
 +
*Focuses on palliative care education and development of healthcare professionals.
 +
|-
 +
|Project: One More Thing[https://www.facebook.com/projectonemorething]
 +
|
 +
*Youth movement started by non-profit group Youth Without Borders
 +
*Aims to fulfill the wishes of the elderly folk from hospices, day care centres and poorer neighbourhoods
 +
*Using social media, the group posts these wishes online in order to connect the youth and elderly in the community
 +
|-
 +
|Project We Forgot[https://projectweforgot.com/about/]
 +
|
 +
*A community for caregivers to persons with dementia (PWDs) that provides locally-relevant support, knowledge, and access to services.
 +
*Through online and offline channels – online via our website and content, social media, and a dedicated social network (launching 2018); offline via local events.
 +
|-
 +
|Senior Activity Centres[https://www.silverpages.sg/care-services/Senior%20Activity%20Centre]
 +
|
 +
*Located in the void decks of HDB rental blocks
 +
*Elderly living nearby are encouraged to spend time at these centres, where they can meet their neighbours to chat, do some exercises and activities
 +
|-
 +
|Timeliss[https://www.timeliss.com/en/faq]
 +
|
 +
*A set of services that assist with late life, emergency matters, and legacy preparation.
 +
*These services include:
 +
**An online knowledge base to easily get information on late-life matters, including end-of-life preparations.
 +
**A life planning account to store important documents, plan for instructions to be carried out, and obtain important end-of-life services.
 +
**Stories magazine to open viewers to the topic of life, legacies and heritage.
 +
**A online platform for tributes to loved ones, personalized to individuals and communities, with functions and services important at later life and beyond.
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
----
 
----
  
−
==Resource Directory==
+
==References==
−
 
+
<references />
−
===Government Organisations===
 
−
 
 
−
====Agency for Integrated Care (AIC)====
 
−
Under the Ministry of Health, AIC coordinates and facilitates efforts among care providers for care integration.
 
−
[https://www.aic.sg/] To encourage individuals to discuss and share their care preferences with loved ones in advance through an ongoing process of communication, AIC developed Living Matters, which is a national Advance Care Planning Programme in Singapore started since 2011. Living Matters ACP has been adapted from the Respecting Choices Programme[https://respectingchoices.org/] at the Gunderson Health System in Wisconsin, US. [https://www.livingmatters.sg/]
 
−
 
 
−
====Appropriate Care Guide (ACG)====
 
−
Under the Ministry of Health (MOH), ACG was created:
 
−
*Topics raised by relevant professional bodies/individuals
 
−
*Presence of an expert group (total of 12 health professionals) to ensure accuracy and relevance of recommendations for users
 
−
*Reviewed and endorsed by professional bodies like Academy of Medicine and College of Family Physicians
 
−
*Released to the public after 8-12 months from the start of creation
 
−
*Reviewed every three years for currency and new developments
 
−
 
 
−
===Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)===
 
−
 
 
−
====Hospice Care====
 
−
 
 
−
'''Singapore Hospice Council'''
 
−
The Singapore Hospice Council is the umbrella body representing all organisations actively providing hospice and palliative care in Singapore.It aims to coordinate and promote hospice and palliative care in Singapore; to support the training of doctors, nurses, allied-health workers, caregivers and volunteers; to improve on the quality of palliative care, and to raise public awareness. It acts as the voice of hospice and palliative care within Singapore and internationally. [http://singaporehospice.org.sg/]
 
−
 
 
−
'''Assisi Hospice'''
 
−
Founded by the Franciscan Missionaries of the Divine Motherhood (FMDM) Sisters in 1969, Assisi Hospice provides palliative care to patients with life-limiting illnesses, caring for them and their families regardless of faith, age, race and financial position. [http://www.assisihospice.org.sg/]
 
−
 
 
−
'''Dover Park Hospice'''
 
−
Founded in 1992, Dover Park Hospice has served as a tranquil sanctuary for over 10,000 patients and families over the years, meeting their unique physical, emotional, psycho-social and spiritual needs through holistic palliative care. [http://www.doverpark.org/]
 
−
 
 
−
'''HCA Hospice Care'''
 
−
HCA Hospice Care is Singapore's largest home hospice care provider and is a registered charity since 1989. The organisation provides comfort and support to patients with life-limiting illnesses regardless of age, religion, ethnicity, nationality and financial status. The organisation conducts palliative care training for its patients' caregivers, as well as other services such as day hospice care, paediatric palliative care, bereavement support and outreach programmes. [https://www.hca.org.sg/]
 
−
 
 
−
'''Hua Mei Centre for Successful Ageing (HMCSA)'''
 
−
Under Tsao Foundation, HMCSA is an integrated collective of various community aged care service models that have been pioneered by the organisation since 1993. They offer services ranging from care management, to traditional chinese medicine and dementia care systems. [https://tsaofoundation.org/]
 
−
 
 
−
====Other Non-Governmental Organisations====
 
−
 
 
−
'''Lien Centre for Palliative Care'''
 
−
The Lien Centre for Palliative Care is a collaboration between Lien Foundation and Duke-NUS Medical School. It aims to build up a strong pool of palliative care professionals to enhance service delivery. With research programmes looking into clinical, social and cultural aspects of palliative care in Singapore and Asia, it also focuses on palliative care education and development of healthcare professionals.
 
−
 
 
−
'''Singapore Cancer Society'''
 
−
 
 
−
'''Catholic Medical Guild of Singapore''' hosted the End-of-Life Forum on 19th November 2016 at the Catholic Archdiocesan Education Centre, with the intention for participants to find answers to end-of-life issues from the perspective of faith. [http://www.cmg.org.sg/]
 

Latest revision as of 06:57, 28 October 2021

This is the main page for End-of-Life.

For the White Paper, please click here.

For the Needs Assessment, please click here.


Overview

End of life care and palliative care is defined by the World Health Organisation as "an approach that improves the quality of life of patients (adults and children) and their families who are facing problems associated with life-threatening illness. It prevents and relieves suffering through the early identification, correct assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, whether physical, psychosocial or spiritual".[1] Even though it is an important part of healthcare, it is often overlooked and little awareness of it is raised given the taboo nature of talking about death. A survey has found out that most Singaporeans wish to die at home, however this is inconsistent with reality where most people die hospitals, nursing homes and charitable organisations [2].

Importance of Palliative Care

In Singapore, the life expectancy has increased through the years due to better medical care. As such, the lifetime spent with chronic illnesses has increased. Palliative care focuses on the quality of life of the patients nearing the end of their lives and seeks to allow them to live their final days in comfort and fulfil any goals or desire that they have in their final days. This allows for a more positive experience for the patient to make the most of their remaining days [3].

Stages of Palliative Care

Palliative care consists of the 3 stages, Symptom Management, Hospice/End-of-life care and bereavement [4]. It can be provided regardless of age and stage of illness.

Symptom Management

Various medication procedures such as intubation would severely decrease the quality of life that the patient experiences, studies have shown that 32% of patients would have elected to die rather then undergo invasive Home Mechanical Ventilation [5]. As such, palliative symptom management seeks to address the physical symptoms, psychological, social and spiritual dimensions of suffering holistically [6].

Hospice/End-of-Life Care

When the illness has reached a stage where recovery is unlikely, hospice care seeks to ensure that the quality of life of the individual remains high. The primary focus of care is not longer on the recovery of the individual, instead it is placed on supporting the individual and allowing them to live comfortably.

Bereavement

A common misconception is that palliative care focuses on the individual who is ill. However, palliative care extends further to include the families and love ones, ensuring that their emotional needs are met to help them cope with the grief of losing a loved one. This includes counselling and other forms of support that is provided.

Advance Care Planning


Resource Directory

Government Policy and Organisations

Government Organisations

Name Description
Agency for Care Effectiveness (ACE)[1]
  • National health technology assessment agency in Singapore, established by MOH in 2015
  • Publishes guides that outline recommendations on the appropriate use of health technologies
  • Publishes 'Appropriate Care Guides' that detail recommended care practices and pathways to improve selected areas of therapy
Agency for Integrated Care (AIC)[2]
  • Coordinates and facilitates effort among care providers for care integration
  • Developed Living Matters in 2011 - a national Advance Care Planning programme[3]
Ministry of Health (MOH)[4]
  • Statistics on Admissions and Outpatient Attendances, as well as home and in-hospice palliative care, is provided[5]

End-of-Life Planning

Name Description
Advanced Medical Directive (AMD)
  • Legal document
  • Oral and/or written instructions that convey treatment preferences in the event of a loss of decision-making capacity
  • Includes living wills, which are written, legal documents that spell out the preferred types of medical treatments and life-sustaining measures under specific circumstances
  • Allows patients to indicate their wish not to have any extraordinary life-sustaining treatment to be administered should they become unconscious or incapable of decision-making and are suffering from terminally illness
Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)
  • Legal document
  • Legally designates a healthcare proxy who would make decisions on the healthcare of the individual in the event the individual is unable to do so
Advance Care Planning (ACP)
  • Not limited to end-of-life scenarios, but extends to long-term care situations as well
  • ACP is a process of assisting the individual to :
    • understand their medical condition and potential future complications;
    • understand the options for future medical care as it relates to their current health condition;
    • reflect upon their goals, values and personal beliefs;
    • consider the benefits and burdens of current and future treatments;
    • discuss choices with family/important others and health providers, and document these choices.
Syariah Court Singapore (for Muslims)
  • Facilitates the distribution of the deceased’s estate through the Inheritance Certificate according to Muslim law

Palliative care offered in inpatient hospital care

Name Description
Changi General Hospital (CGH)
Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH)
KK Women's and Children's Hospital
  • Palliative Care for children with cancer
National Cancer Centre Singapore, Department of Palliative Medicine (NCCS)[6]
  • Specialist centre in Singapore addressing cancer
  • First institution to establish a stand-alone Division of Palliative Medicine in Southeast Asia
National University Hospital (NUH)
  • As more elderly have died in the Emergency Department (ED) in recent years, NUH started a dedicated palliative care service in its emergency department to relieve patients' suffering[7]
  • e.g. Quiet room where family members can spend their last moments with the patient
Ng Teng Fong General Hospital (NTFGH)
Palliative Care @ Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH)[7]
  • Care Continuity - by collaborating with Hospice partners to ensure seamless care transition for patients who want to transit to home or to inpatient hospices to receive palliative care. Partner Hospices include Dover Park Hospice, Assisi Hospice and HCA Hospice Care.

Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)

Hospice Care

Name Description
Singapore Hospice Council[8]
  • Umbrella body representing all organisations actively providing hospice and palliative care in Singapore
Assisi Hospice[9]
  • Founded by the Franciscan Missionaries of the Divine Motherhood (FMDM) Sisters in 1969
  • Offers home care, day care, hospice care and equipment loan
Dover Park Hospice [10]
  • Founded in 1992, Dover Park Hospice has served as a tranquil sanctuary for over 10,000 patients and families over the years, meeting their unique physical, emotional, psycho-social and spiritual needs through holistic palliative care.
  • Offers home care, hospice care and equipment loan
HCA Hospice Care [11]
  • Singapore's largest home hospice care provider and is a registered charity since 1989
  • Conducts palliative care training for its patients' caregivers, as well as other services such as day hospice care, paediatric palliative care, bereavement support and outreach programmes
  • Offers home care, day care and equipment loan
Hua Mei Centre for Successful Ageing (HMCSA) [12]
  • Integrated collective of various community aged care service models that have been pioneered by the organisation since 1993. They offer services ranging from care management, to traditional chinese medicine and dementia care systems
Metta Hospice Care [13]
  • Offers home hospice care and equipment loan
MWS Home Hospice [14]
  • Started by the Methodist Welfare Services
  • Offers home hospice care and equipment loan
Singapore Cancer Society [15]
  • Community-based voluntary welfare organisation
  • Does research and advocacy, public education, screening, financial assistance, patient services and support, and rehabilitation
  • Offers home hospice care and equipment loan
St. Andrew's Community Hospital [16]
  • Offers inpatient and home hospice care
St. Joseph's Home [17]
  • Offers inpatient hospice care

Nursing Homes

Name Description
Allium Healthcare
  • New private nursing home along Venus Drive
  • Proposed 4-storey, 129-bed facility
  • Designed to be a premium product, to meet the demand from the middle- to upper-income group
  • Of the 129 beds, 51 are single-occupancy care suits of 225 sq ft each, while 16 are companion suites of 327 sq ft each with en-suite bathroom, and executive suites start from 409 sq ft.
  • 6 care suits and 2 companion suites will be set aside for residents with dementia, and 15 companion suites for subsidised residents
  • 10 to 12 residents will share a living and dining area and a kitchen, as well as an area for rehabilitation and exercise facilities, in a "household"[8]
Jade Circle Nursing Home
  • Co-funded by Lien Foundation and Khoo Chwee Neo Foundation, in partnership with Peacehaven nursing home
  • Following the "Silver Hope" Model [9]
  • In 2015, Jade Circle was proposed as a 60-bed nursing home with single and twin-bedded rooms for subsidised patients, not just private patients
  • However, this was aborted because MOH considered that the conversion of all nursing homes to single and double-bedded rooms would hurt the affordability of care, if this model were to be scaled up
  • Lien Foundation commissioned 3 studies[10]:
    • "The Economics of Singapore Nursing Home Care" by consulting firm Oliver Wyman concluded that if the next 5000 nursing home beds (MOH to increase number of nursing home beds from 12000 to 17000 in 2020) follow the Silver hope model it would cost an additional $19 million annually – or an additional $8 to 13 per resident per day. However, cost savings would be generated through lower hospitalisation rates as these proposed living arrangements would ensure that elderly have the opportunities to be more mobile[11]
    • "Safe but Soulless" by Radha Basu provided an overview of nursing homes today and suggested possible ways to overcome challenges.
    • "Supporting Singaporeans’ Aspirations for Aged Care" by The Nielsen Company showed that Singaporeans are most concerned about being able to care for oneself and ageing in place, 60% of respondents thought that residents in nursing homes should stay in single or twin-bedded rooms
  • 90% of current nursing home beds are in 6- or 8-bedder dorms. The other 5% to 10% are single or twins, but more for infection control purposes. Japan had already phased out 6-bedder wards 40 years ago, and single beds has been the norm for almost a decade.
  • Revived in 2017 after the revision of plans, and to be completed in 2019[12][13]:
    • Extension to the north of the current Peacehaven Nursing Home in Changi
    • First in Singapore to adopt an ‘anti-diaper, restraint-free’ policy, made possible with specially imported beds that can be lowered to prevent falls, and which have sensors that can detect movement.
    • Reduction from original 60 beds to 22 beds (8 single rooms and 7 twin-sharing rooms)
    • Non-nurses to be trained as senior care associates, to give the caregiving manpower at the nursing home a boost. 22 residents in Jade Circle will be divided into two “households”, each cared for by a senior care associate, who will be assisted by a nursing aide.
    • Expanded scope to include bigger day activity centre so that elderly can age in community. Two-storey activity centre to include hydrotherapy pool, cafe, hair salon and gym
    • Unlike original concept, includes "full spectrum" of senior services from active ageing and preventive care to rehabilitation and residential care
    • Depending on the level of care needed, the estimated fees range between 1500 and 2500 for day centre care, and 2000 to 3500 for residential care before means testing
    • Overall development cost of Jade Circle has been reduced from the original $15 million to $14 million
  • Jade Circle as important pilot to set people thinking about long term care and the philosophy of dignity and humanity – providing a de-medicalised and more home-like model of care that prioritises resident autonomy beyond safety and risk management
Kampung Admiralty
  • An 11-storey Housing Board complex as Singapore's first 'retirement kampung'
  • 100 studio flats for the elderly
  • Includes medical and senior-care centres, a food court, shops and community gardens
  • Hopes to empower seniors to function independently in the community for as long as they can [14]
  • Similar to Assisted Living Options, but with no caregiver on standby for residents with dementia[15]
Lions Home
  • Runs two facilities in Bishan and Bedok
  • Initiative to let residents wear their own clothes since 2001 so as to make care "less institutional" [16]
  • Rehabilitation programmes include a motion sensing video game system for residents to exercise their range of movement, coordination and other physical functions [17]
NTUC Health [18]
  • Has three nursing home in Geylang East, Chai Chee and Jurong West
  • Focus on getting seniors back home as early as possible, so that they can continue their rehabilitation in the community
Orange Valley Nursing Home
  • Largest operator of nursing home facilities in Singapore with more than 1000 beds
  • First privately owned nursing home to provide outpatient rehabilitation services
  • Cost of staying at the home ranges from $3500 for private patients who opt for the open ward to $9000 for a private one-bedded room a month. Open wards are also available for subsidized patients.[18]
Peacehaven Nursing Home
  • Introduced incentivising model of care: Residents have to “earn” money through exercise sessions and daily chores before they can “spend” it activities they enjoy e.g. massage, instant noodles, biscuits, sweets
  • Giving residents their autonomy and keep their way of life, replicated from outside
  • Giving them choices and a sense of control in how much they exercise and spend their money empowers them with a sense of purpose[19]
Ren Ci Nursing Home in Ang Mo Kio
  • Dementia-friendly 'cluster-living' options for nursing home residents
  • 470-bed nursing home is the "biggest departure yet from the medicalised dormitory-style accommodation"
  • 16 residents in each four-bedded rooms 'household'[20]
St. Andrew Nursing Home (SANH)
  • Jurong home: Inter-generation playground and childcare within its premises for inter-generational bonding
  • Henderson home: "open concept" to encourage,and allow residents to interact with the community, especially those living in Henderson, Telok Blangah and Bukit Merah)[21]
St Bernadette Lifestyle Village
  • Private facility in Bukit Timah that provides 24-hour medical concierge and meals
  • 8 residents get help to live independently, including going on shopping trips to shopping malls
  • Fees are at $3650 per month[22]

Other NGOs

Name Description
Active Ageing Hub
  • MOH plans to build 10 Active Ageing Hubs in new public housing estates
  • Part of a $3 billion plan, first announced by MOH to help Singaporeans lead active lives as they age
  • Rehabilitative care and social programmes for the residents in the area, complementing services offered by the hospital in Serangoon Road
  • First completed Hub located in McNair Road, meeting the needs of elderly residents in Kallang and Whampoa
  • For a nominal annual fee of $5, residents have access to gym and activities like line-dancing and IT classes
  • 40 daycare places for elderly residents, and provides medical care at home for 100 house-bound residents in the area
  • Another centre to be opened in St George's Lane in 2019, just five minute from the centre in McNair Road. Together, they will serve 1500 elderly residents [23]
Lien Centre for Palliative Care[19]
  • Collaboration between Lien Foundation and Duke-NUS Medical School
  • Research programmes looking into clinical, social and cultural aspects of palliative care in Singapore and Asia
  • Focuses on palliative care education and development of healthcare professionals.
Project: One More Thing[20]
  • Youth movement started by non-profit group Youth Without Borders
  • Aims to fulfill the wishes of the elderly folk from hospices, day care centres and poorer neighbourhoods
  • Using social media, the group posts these wishes online in order to connect the youth and elderly in the community
Project We Forgot[21]
  • A community for caregivers to persons with dementia (PWDs) that provides locally-relevant support, knowledge, and access to services.
  • Through online and offline channels – online via our website and content, social media, and a dedicated social network (launching 2018); offline via local events.
Senior Activity Centres[22]
  • Located in the void decks of HDB rental blocks
  • Elderly living nearby are encouraged to spend time at these centres, where they can meet their neighbours to chat, do some exercises and activities
Timeliss[23]
  • A set of services that assist with late life, emergency matters, and legacy preparation.
  • These services include:
    • An online knowledge base to easily get information on late-life matters, including end-of-life preparations.
    • A life planning account to store important documents, plan for instructions to be carried out, and obtain important end-of-life services.
    • Stories magazine to open viewers to the topic of life, legacies and heritage.
    • A online platform for tributes to loved ones, personalized to individuals and communities, with functions and services important at later life and beyond.

References

  1. ↑ World Health Organization. (n.d.). Palliative care. World Health Organization. Retrieved October 28, 2021, from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/palliative-care.
  2. ↑ LEAVING WELL: END-OF-LIFE POLICIES IN SINGAPORE. Lkyspp.nus.edu.sg. (n.d.). Retrieved October 28, 2021, from https://lkyspp.nus.edu.sg/ips/research/managing-the-challenges-of-an-ageing-society/leaving-well-end-of-life-policies-in-singapore.
  3. ↑ Why is palliative care important? Crossroads Hospice . (n.d.). Retrieved October 28, 2021, from https://www.crossroadshospice.com/hospice-palliative-care-blog/2019/march/14/why-is-palliative-care-important/.
  4. ↑ Tan, J. H. (2021, July 13). Palliative care 101: All you need to know about end-of-life care. Homage. Retrieved October 28, 2021, from https://www.homage.sg/health/palliative-care/.
  5. ↑ Huttmann, S. E., Magnet, F. S., Karagiannidis, C., Storre, J. H., & Windisch, W. (2018). Quality of life and life satisfaction are severely impaired in patients with long-term invasive ventilation following ICU treatment and unsuccessful weaning. Annals of Intensive Care, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13613-018-0384-8
  6. ↑ Kittelson, S. M., Elie, M. C., & Pennypacker, L. (2015). Palliative Care Symptom Management. Critical care nursing clinics of North America, 27(3), 315–339. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cnc.2015.05.010
  7. ↑ Cheong, 2014. National University Hospital starts palliative care service in emergency department. Retrieved from http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/national-university-hospital-starts-palliative-care-service-in-emergency-department
  8. ↑ GK Goh to launch purpose-built nursing home. Retrieved from https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/gk-goh-launch-purpose-built-003000526.html
  9. ↑ Yong, 2016. Singapore nursing homes need new model of care: Lien Foundation CEO. Retrieved from https://sg.news.yahoo.com/depersonalised-and-dehumanising-singapore-113454493.html
  10. ↑ Nursing Homes Singapore. Retrieved from http://nursinghomes.sg/
  11. ↑ Chan, 2016. Nursing home patients could benefit from fewer beds in wards: Study. Retrieved from https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/nursing-home-patients-could-benefit-from-fewer-beds-in-wards-stu-7919038
  12. ↑ Phua, 2017. Jade Circle nursing home project revived, to be ready end-2019. Retrieved from https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/jade-circle-nursing-home-project-revived-to-be-ready-end-2019-9008096
  13. ↑ Boh, 2017. Plans revived for nursing home with single, twin rooms. Retrieved from http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/plans-revived-for-nursing-home-with-single-twin-rooms
  14. ↑ Basu, 2017. Long-term eldercare: More options now, but more data also needed. Retrieved from http://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/long-term-eldercare-more-options-now-but-more-data-also-needed
  15. ↑ Yuen, 2018. More home-based care options likely for seniors. Retrieved from http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/housing/more-home-based-care-options-likely-for-seniors
  16. ↑ Poon, 2017. Lions Home residents get to wear their own clothes. Retrieved from http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/lions-home-residents-get-to-wear-their-own-clothes
  17. ↑ Poon, 2017. Bringing quality care up a notch at nursing homes. Retrieved from http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/bringing-quality-care-up-a-notch-at-nursing-homes
  18. ↑ Choo, 2018. Orange Valley opens sixth nursing home. Retrieved from http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/orange-valley-opens-sixth-nursing-home
  19. ↑ Tai, 2017. 20 cents for a massage, 60 cents for instant noodles: Peacehaven nursing home residents 'earn' and 'spend' on activities. Retrieved from http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/20-cents-for-a-massage-60-cents-for-instant-noodles
  20. ↑ Tai, 2016. Singapore nursing home models ‘need to balance benefits, cost’. Retrieved from http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/spore-nursing-home-models-need-to-balance-benefits-cost
  21. ↑ Chua, 2018. Integrated nursing home and senior care centre opens in Henderson. Retrieved from http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/integrated-nursing-home-and-senior-care-centre-opens-at-henderson
  22. ↑ Yuen, 2018. More home-based care options likely for seniors. Retrieved from http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/housing/more-home-based-care-options-likely-for-seniors
  23. ↑ Abdullah, 2017. Active ageing hub opens in McNair Road. Retrieved from http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/active-ageing-hub-opens-in-mcnair-road
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