Trends for disabilities in instrumental activities of daily living and impact on payouts for long-term care insurance schemes

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Mr Yip Hon Weng
MP for Yio Chu Kang GRC

Question No. 499

To ask the Minister for Health (a) what are the trends for disabilities in Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs); (b) how do IADL disabilities impact upon employment or financial independence among Singaporeans; and (c) whether the Ministry will consider including IADLs as part of the eligibility criteria for claim payouts in long-term care schemes like CareShield.

Written Answer

There are broadly two categories of Activities of Daily Livings (ADLs). First, basic ADLs are activities necessary for independent living and basic self-care, such as washing and feeding oneself. Second, Instrumental ADLs (IADLs) are more complex activities that require higher cognitive functions and are related to the ability to live independently, such as communicating with others and managing one’s finances. These could impact individuals’ employability and financial independence. We currently do not have representative data on IADL trends in Singapore.

National long-term care schemes such as CareShield Life, currently use basic ADLs to assess an individual’s functional disability and provide payouts to support policyholders when they are severely disabled. This strikes a balance between providing adequate support to Singaporeans with severe disabilities while keeping CareShield Life premiums and costs affordable for all.

Notwithstanding this, the Ministry of Health recognises the impact of cognitive impairment on functional disability. Since 2020, we have improved the severe disability assessment framework to better consider the impact of cognitive impairment on functional ability. Cognitively impaired individuals with higher levels of functional impairment can now more consistently qualify for payouts under long-term care schemes like CareShield Life, MediSave Care, and ElderFund.

The Government is committed to helping Singaporeans who require financial assistance for their long-term care costs. Singaporeans with functional disabilities who do not qualify for severe disability schemes like CareShield Life can apply for support through other schemes like the Home Caregiving Grant and the Foreign Domestic Worker Levy Concession for Persons with Disabilities. Singaporeans who still require more financial assistance to fund their long-term care costs can rely on Government safety nets, such as MediFund or ComCare.