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Nominated Member of Parliament
Assoc Prof Dr Walter Theseira
To ask the Minister for Health (a) what is the current number of full-time family caregivers for persons aged above 65; (b) what is the number of persons aged above 65 who are supported by at least one full-time family caregiver; and (c) what is the breakdown of full-time family caregivers where the care recipients are their parent, aunt/uncle, sibling, or spouse.
Answer
Based on extrapolated data from the Retirement and Health Study1 conducted in 2014, we estimate that there are currently about 110,000 to 120,000 family members or friends caring for persons aged 65 and above2. The number of care recipients aged 65 years and above who are cared for by a family member or a friend is estimated to be about 85,000 to 90,000.
Of these care recipients, it is estimated that around 60% are cared for by their children, 35% by their spouses, 10% by their grandchildren, 5% by their siblings and 10% by other relatives3. RHS does not record whether the caregivers are providing full-time or part-time care.
1 The breakdown of caregivers in the RHS is not complete as the RHS only covers respondents aged 45 and above.
2 Care recipients are defined as those who have difficulties doing some activities (require assistance in Activities of Daily Living or Instrumental Activities of Daily Living) and require assistance over the last 12 months.
3 Care recipients split by relationship will not add up to 100% as each recipient may have multiple caregivers.