For financial assistance

General

1. Financial assistance schemes
Different schemes available depending on the urgency or duration of need

MSF ComCare Interim Assistance
https://www.msf.gov.sg/Comcare/Pages/Urgent-Financial-Assistance.aspx

MSF ComCare Short-to-Medium-term Assistance
https://www.msf.gov.sg/Comcare/Pages/Short-To-Medium-Term-Assistance.aspx

MSF ComCare Long-Term Assistance
https://www.msf.gov.sg/Comcare/Pages/Public-Assistance.aspx

2. Healthcare subsidies
Financial subsidies for healthcare services
https://www.moh.gov.sg/cost-financing/healthcare-schemes-subsidies
https://www.chas.sg/

3. Medical fee exemption card
Free treatment for Singaporeans and PRs who qualify
https://www.aic.sg/financial-assistance/medical-fee-exemption-card

4. Pioneer Generation Disability Assistance
For those in the SG Pioneer generation and have difficulties performing certain daily activities (needs certification by an approved assessor)
https://www.aic.sg/financial-assistance/pioneer-generation-disability-assistance-scheme

5. Tax relief
Tax reliefs and rebates for caregivers, as well as those with selected family members who are handicapped
https://www.iras.gov.sg/irashome/Individuals/Locals/Working-Out-Your-Taxes/Deductions-for-Individuals--Reliefs--Expenses--Donations-/#title6

6. Other Support Schemes
ElderFund
A discretionary assistance scheme targeted at assisting severely disabled lower-income Singaporeans aged 30 and above who are not able to join CareShield Life, or have low MediSave balances and inadequate personal savings to meet their long-term care needs.
https://www.aic.sg/financial-assistance/elderfund

CareShield Life
A long-term care insurance scheme that provides basic financial support should Singaporeans become severely disabled, especially during old age, and need personal and medical care for a prolonged duration.
https://www.careshieldlife.gov.sg/home.html

MediSave Care
Allows Singaporeans and Permanent Residents (PRs) above the age of 30 who become severely disabled to make monthly cash withdrawals of up to $200 from their own or their spouse’s MediSave account.   
https://www.aic.sg/financial-assistance/medisave-care

Dependants’ Protection Scheme
Term insurance that provides insured members and their families with some money to get through.
https://www.cpf.gov.sg/Members/Schemes/schemes/other-matters/dependants-protection-scheme

Home Protection Scheme
A mortgage-reducing insurance that protects members and their families against losing their HDB flat in the event of death, terminal illness or total permanent disability.
https://www.cpf.gov.sg/Members/Schemes/schemes/housing/home-protection-scheme

Interim Disability Assistance Programme for the Elderly (IDAPE)
A government assistance scheme providing financial help to needy and disabled elderly Singaporeans who were not eligible to join ElderShield when it was launched in 2002 because they had exceeded the maximum entry age or had pre-existing disabilities
https://www.aic.sg/financial-assistance/interim-disability-assistance-programme-elderly

Transport

1. Persons with Disability Concession Card
For Singaporeans and PRs certified to have permanent disability. Includes 25% off all adult bus and train fares
https://www.sgenable.sg/pages/content.aspx?path=/schemes/transport/public-transport-concession-scheme-for-persons-with-disabilities/

2. Transport Service Subsidy (VWO Transport Subsidy Scheme)
For those with disabilities and need dedicated transport by Social Service Agencies to access Day Activity Centres (DACs)
https://www.sgenable.sg/pages/content.aspx?path=/schemes/transport/vwo-transport-subsidies/

3. Taxi subsidy
A means-tested subsidy for taxi travel to school, work or employment-related training
https://www.sgenable.sg/pages/content.aspx?path=/schemes/transport/taxi-subsidy-scheme/

4. Car subsidy (Disabled Persons Scheme)
A means-tested car subsidy for Singaporeans and PRs certified unable to use public transport and need a vehicle to earn a living
https://www.sgenable.sg/pages/content.aspx?path=/schemes/transport/disabled-persons-scheme/

Caregiving and personal care

1. Purchase of assistive equipment (e.g. wheelchair, hearing aids)
Assistive Technology Fund
A means-tested subsidy for up to 90% of the cost of assistive equipment (e.g. wheelchair, hearing aids)
https://www.sgenable.sg/pages/content.aspx?path=/schemes/equipment-technology-home-retrofit/assistive-technology-fund/

Senior's Mobility and enabling fund (SMF)
Subsidies for Singaporean seniors who need mobility and assistive devices, or are receiving home or community care and require home healthcare items
https://www.aic.sg/financial-assistance/seniors-mobility-enabling-fund

2. Home caregiving grant
A monthly cash payout to support loved ones with at least permanent, moderate disability. It replaced the Foreign Domestic Worker grant in October 2019.
https://www.aic.sg/financial-assistance/home-caregiving-grant

3. FDW levy concession
For persons with disabilities. Allows families to pay the FDW levy at a concessionary rate
https://www.aic.sg/financial-assistance/foreign-domestic-worker-levy-concession

For caregiving help

Caregiver training and respite

1. Caregivers training grant
An annual subsidy for caregivers (family members, FDWs) to attend approved courses which help them better care for their loved ones
https://www.aic.sg/financial-assistance/caregivers-training-grant

2. Caregiver respite
Short-term (several days to few weeks) care options, when a caregiver needs a break or will be unavailable. Some nursing homes offer care within 1-5 working days
https://www.aic.sg/care-services/nursing-home

Caregiver help

1. Caregiver help
Find help for patients with Parkinson’s disease who need nursing care assistance at home (eg: medication management, vital signs monitoring, nursing care procedure)
https://www.aic.sg/care-services/home-nursing

2. Caregiver help
Find help for patients with Parkinson’s disease who require medical needs at home
https://www.aic.sg/care-services/home-medical

3. Caregiver help
Find help for patients with Parkinson’s disease who require home-based rehabilitation services
https://www.aic.sg/care-services/home-therapy

For personal care

Resources for personal care

1. Home personal care
Find help to assist patients with Parkinson’s disease with Activities of Daily Living (e.g. - baths, light housekeeping), medication, mind stimulating activities, elder- sitting and other care tasks
https://www.aic.sg/care-services/home-personal-care

2. Meals-on-wheels
Provide meals for patients with Parkinson’s disease who are homebound
https://www.aic.sg/care-services/meals-on-wheels

3. Developmental Disability Registry (DDR) Identity (ID) card
Discounted rates for therapies, healthcare devices, places of interest and more
https://www.sgenable.sg/pages/content.aspx?path=/schemes/Developmental-Disabilities-Registry+/

For getting around (transport)

Transport services and mobility aids

1. Subsidies for purchase of assistive technologies (e.g. wheelchair, mobility aid/device)
Assistive Technology Fund
A means-tested subsidy for up to 90% of the cost of assistive equipment (e.g. wheelchair, hearing aids)
https://www.sgenable.sg/pages/content.aspx?path=/schemes/equipment-technology-home-retrofit/assistive-technology-fund/

Senior's Mobility and enabling fund (SMF)
Subsidies for Singaporean seniors who need mobility and assistive devices, or are receiving home or community care and require home healthcare items
https://www.aic.sg/financial-assistance/seniors-mobility-enabling-fund

2. Specialised transport service
To help you get from home to medical appointments/ treatments and back. You may be eligible for subsidies for this service.
https://www.aic.sg/care-services/medical-escort-and-transport

3. Medical escort service
To help you during at medical appointment (such as navigating the hospital and taking note of the next appointment). You may be eligible for subsidies for this service
https://www.aic.sg/care-services/medical-escort-and-transport

For transport

Resources for driving

1. Car park label
For drivers and passengers with mobility impairment to park in designated lots which allow vehicle doors to open fully
https://www.sgenable.sg/pages/content.aspx?path=/schemes/accessibility/car-park-label-scheme-for-persons-with-physical-disabilities#P1

For a support group

1. Parkinson’s Disease Support Group from Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH)
The NNI@TTSH Parkinson Support Group was formed in year 2004. It offers a social network for Parkinson Disease (PD) warriors and their families. The support group is conducted monthly, alternating between English and Mandarin sessions with a specific topic. Due to COVID-19, it has switched to virtual for now.

PD warriors and their families can gain insights and learn disease management from attending the support group. They can offer mutual support and also exchange different coping strategies by sharing their experiences. The support group welcomes all PD warriors and their families from any institute to join us.

Contact information:
Kindly contact NNI@TTSH at 6330 6363 for more information or access the support group calendar from the National Neuroscience Institute (NNI) website at https://www.nni.com.sg/patient-care/parkinson-disease-support-group-calendar

2. Parkinson’s Disease Support Group from Singapore General Hospital (SGH)
SGH Parkinson Support Group was established in 1998 to support people with Parkinson and their caregivers. The support group collaborates and works closely with the Parkinson Society Singapore (PSS). Previously, the support group meets monthly at the physical location till the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, the group meets online on the Zoom platform.

The support group accepts patients from other hospitals but would encourage them to attend their respective hospital's support groups if it is available.

Contact information:
To contact the SGH Parkinson Support Group, kindly call Nurse at 9295 3331 (Office hours) or email neurocare@sgh.com.sg

Social support and community resources

1. Parkinson Society Singapore
Parkinson Society Singapore (PSS) offers a wide range of therapeutic programmes, social and recreational activities to help People with Parkinson and their caregivers live better with Parkinson’s. These include Physiotherapy, Speech Therapy, Yoga, Tai Chi, Kickboxing, Chinese Calligraphy and vocal classes as well as caregivers’ workshops. For more information, please visit http://www.parkinson.org.sg

Educational materials

Articles

How Speech Therapy Benefits Parkinson Patients

How Music Therapy Benefits Parkinson Patients

Exercises for Parkinson Patients

Parkinson's Disease: Exercise to Minimise Symptoms

Parkinson's Disease (PD): How to Manage 'On' and 'Off' Symptoms

Making the Most of 'On' and "Off' States in Parkinson Disease

What to Do When Parkinson's Disease Strikes

Parkinson's Disease: Early Signs and Symptoms

Parkinson's Disease: 5 Common Myths Debunked

Leisure Activities for People with Parkinson's

Videos

Ref: K21