What does eldercare actually cost in Singapore?
A plain-English breakdown of before-subsidy and after-subsidy fees across every care type, with the four schemes that bring those numbers down.
Nursing home (residential, 24-hour)
| Tier | Before subsidy | Singapore Citizen at top tier (75% subsidy) | SC at mid tier (40% subsidy) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subsidised open ward (most VWO homes) | ~S$3,500–$4,500/mo | ~S$875–$1,125/mo | ~S$2,100–$2,700/mo |
| Subsidised 4-bed cubicle | ~S$4,500–$5,500/mo | ~S$1,125–$1,375/mo | ~S$2,700–$3,300/mo |
| Private single room (no subsidy applies) | ~S$6,000–$10,000/mo | S$6,000–$10,000/mo | S$6,000–$10,000/mo |
Subsidies apply only to subsidised beds at MOH-approved homes. Private rooms and private homes don’t qualify.
Day care centre (weekdays, 8 hours)
Published fees typically range from S$45 to S$120 per day before subsidies. MOH portable subsidy via household income means-testing can reduce costs significantly. Transport fees (typically S$5–$15 per trip) may apply separately. Most centres have AIC referral programmes.
Home care
| Service | Before subsidy (per visit) |
|---|---|
| Home nursing (registered nurse, clinical care) | S$80–$150 |
| Home personal care (bathing, feeding, mobility) | S$25–$60 per session |
| Home medical (doctor visit) | S$150–$300 |
| Home palliative (VWO, fully subsidised for eligible SC/PR) | Often S$0–$50 after subsidy |
Inpatient hospice
VWO-run IHPCS facilities are subsidised aggressively for end-of-life care. Most patients pay S$0–$50/day after MOH portable subsidy under the IHPCS Pathway 1 (prognosis <3 months) or Pathway 2 (prognosis ≤12 months, up to 28 days). See the hospice directory for details.
The four subsidy mechanisms (stack them)
1. MOH ILTC Portable Subsidy — the biggest one
Income-tested. Up to 75% for SC at the lowest tier (household income per person ≤S$900). Means a S$4,000 ward bed becomes S$1,000 net. Applies automatically once you’re admitted to a subsidised bed; you don’t submit a separate form.
2. MediSave Care
From your or your spouse’s CPF MediSave account. Capped at S$200/month combined. Requires a S$5,000 minimum balance. Tiered by available balance: S$5K→S$50, S$10K→S$100, S$15K→S$150, S$20K+→S$200. Stacks on top of MOH subsidy.
3. CareShield Life
If your parent is unable to perform 3 or more of 6 Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), they qualify for a monthly cash payout. Approximately S$689/month at age 46 in 2026, rising over time (Council 2025 Review doubled the growth rate from 2% to 4% from January 2026). Mandatory for SC/PR born 1980 or later; optional for older cohorts who weren’t in ElderShield 400.
4. Interim transitional rebates (Jul 2025 – Jun 2026)
MOH applies $0.80 to $33 per day in transitional rebates to subsidised LTC clients across the income tiers. Applied automatically by the facility. Precedes the permanent LTC subsidy enhancements scheduled for July 2026.
A worked example
An 82-year-old Singapore Citizen with advanced dementia. Household income (her son’s S$3,600/month divided across her, the son, his wife and one school-age child) = S$900 per person. She qualifies at the 75% tier.
- Before-subsidy fee at a VWO open ward: S$3,800/month.
- MOH portable subsidy (75%): −S$2,850. Subtotal: S$950/month.
- Interim rebate (Jul 2025 – Jun 2026, top tier): roughly −S$15/day × 30 days = −S$450. Subtotal: S$500/month.
- MediSave Care (her balance is S$15,000): −S$150. Net: S$350/month.
- CareShield Life (3 of 6 ADLs failed): cash benefit of ~S$700/month paid to her directly. She can redirect this to offset the S$350 facility bill, leaving her ~S$350/month for personal use.
Net outcome: she pays S$350/month for residential nursing home care, and has S$350/month of CareShield payout left over.
Practical next steps
- Read the full subsidy guide to confirm your tier.
- Visit an MSF Social Service Office or call AIC at 1800-650-6060 to get an official PCHI assessment.
- Ask each home you visit for the net fee at your specific subsidy tier — not the headline rate.
Last fact-checked: 9 June 2026. See the latest audit report for sources and methodology.