Hiring a Maid for Elderly Care in Singapore? Here’s What to Know (2025)

Korea and Japan may often make headlines for their ageing populations. But Singapore is ageing fast too.

As the number of seniors rises, the demand for in-home eldercare is growing quickly.

By 2030, 1 in 4 citizens is expected to be aged 65 or older.

Even before then, many families are already seeking help to care for elderly parents. And a common solution is hiring an elderly care maid.

If you’re in the same boat, we’ve got you.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know — from costs to maid levy savings — all updated for 2025.

Beyond the obvious need for care, there are three big reasons why more families in Singapore are turning to maids for elderly care:

• Time – Many family members are working full-time or caring for young children, leaving little capacity to be full-time caregivers themselves.

• Energy – Elderly caregiving can be emotionally and physically exhausting, especially when juggling other responsibilities.

• Specialised skills – Some seniors need help with mobility, hygiene, or chronic conditions — tasks that require a bit more know-how and patience.

But it's not just about ticking off daily tasks.

There are intangible benefits to hiring a foreign domestic worker (FDW) that often go overlooked.

One of the biggest? Compassion.

FDWs can be wonderful companions to elderly family members, many of whom quietly struggle with loneliness — a very real issue for seniors in Singapore’s fast-paced society.

Here’s how a domestic helper for elderly care typically supports the household:

• Meal support – Whether it’s preparing simple meals or assisting a senior who’s bedridden and needs help feeding, mealtimes become manageable again.

• Personal hygiene – Helping with toileting, changing diapers, bathing, and dressing with care and dignity.

• Mobility assistance – Supporting seniors as they get in and out of cars, move around the home, or navigate public transport safely.

Hiring an elderly care maid can ease the burden on tired family members.

More importantly, it means your loved one receives consistent, one-on-one attention in the comfort of a familiar home.

That sense of stability can make all the difference in their emotional well-being.

There’s also the added bonus: your home stays clean and cared for, according to your family’s routines.

It’s practical, but it also gives everyone peace of mind.

And then there’s the emotional side — that connection that forms when a helper becomes more than just a caregiver.

A good fit can help your loved one feel truly looked after, respected, and at ease. That bond is something you can’t put a price on.

Over time, your helper may become a valued part of the family too.

So, why do we often recommend Burmese domestic helpers for elderly care in Singapore?

Their culture places a strong emphasis on filial piety — showing deep respect for elders isn’t just taught. It’s a way of life.

 Many families tell us they’ve seen this first-hand in the care, patience, and gentleness Burmese FDWs bring into their homes.

If you’ve worked with one before, you’ll probably know exactly what we mean.

Need help hiring a Burmese FDW for elderly care in Singapore? Reach out to us — we’ll walk you through the process and help you find someone who fits your family’s needs.

We get it — it’s a big decision.

But if you’ve decided to welcome a helper into your home to care for your loved one, you’re likely wondering what the key considerations are — especially when it comes to the cost of hiring a maid in Singapore.

We break it down for you below, looking at both the practical costs and emotional considerations involved.

Note: Actual agency fees may vary depending on the helper’s experience, profile, and any additional services required. Specialised placements (like eldercare-trained helpers) may fall on the higher end.

Salaries shown are starting estimates, not fixed rates. MOM expects employers to offer fair pay based on the helper’s experience, duties, and working hours — so it’s important not to undercut.

Beyond the basic fees, don’t forget to factor in everyday living expenses and other practicalities. 

Here are some common costs:

• Meals – Your grocery bill will likely go up. If you dine out, it’s courteous (and expected) to include your helper.

• Toiletries – Think soap, shampoo, toothpaste, and sanitary pads — basic personal care items should be provided.

• Accommodation – Will she have her own room or a proper, comfortable sleeping space? This matters more than people realise.

• Rest day compensation – If your helper works on her rest day, you’ll need to compensate her with one day’s salary or agree to roll over her off day.

• Gifts or extra allowance – Optional, but a small gesture of appreciation can go a long way in building rapport and morale.

• Annual bonus or raise – Some employers give an annual increment of around $20 to $50. Optional, of course — but most of us appreciate being recognised after a year of hard work.

Long-service payments – While not mandated in Singapore (unlike Hong Kong), many employers choose to give a token of appreciation after several years. It’s a kind gesture that fosters loyalty.

If you were studying our cost tables carefully, the maid levy for elderly might’ve caught your eye.

And you might be thinking — wait a minute, isn’t the levy SGD 300?

You’re not wrong.

It is SGD 300… typically.

But under the Maid Levy Concession for the Elderly (also known as the Aged Person Scheme), the levy drops to SGD 60 per month per foreign domestic worker (FDW).

That’s a saving of SGD 240 every month , or roughly SGD 3,000 a year — a big relief for many families.

Do You Qualify?

You can apply for the concession if you meet all the following conditions:

• The FDW is employed specifically to care for an elderly person (or someone with disabilities) in your household

• The employer is a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident

• Your household income is SGD 10,000 or less per month

• The elderly family member lives at the same address and is either the employer, or the employer’s parent, parent-in-law, or grandparent

• Alternatively, if the employer or their spouse is aged 67 or older , the household may also qualify

 Note: If the employer doesn't live with the person requiring care, you'll need to apply for permission to deploy your FDW to a different address. This is a simple but mandatory step — you'll just need to notify MOM in advance.

You can also check out our detailed guide on how to pay the maid levy in Singapore.

What Counts as “Elderly”?

It’s a fair question — especially since people are staying active longer these days.

In this context, elderly is officially defined as anyone aged 65 or above .

In addition to the maid levy concession for elderly, families may also be eligible for the Home Caregiving Grant (HCG) — a monthly cash payout of SGD 200 for lower- to middle-income households.

This isn’t based on age alone. Your elderly family member must need assistance with at least one of the following activities of daily living:

• Feeding

• Bathing

• Toileting

The best part? The grant is flexible — you can use it however it best supports your caregiving needs.

That might mean:

• Offsetting your FDW’s salary

• Buying adult diapers or medical supplies

• Covering occasional respite care

While the HCG isn’t technically a maid for elderly care subsidy, it can significantly lighten your financial load.

To apply, you’ll need a doctor’s certification confirming your loved one’s condition, and you can submit the application through the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) .

It’s a big decision — no doubt about it.

But here’s the thing: there’s no right or wrong answer. It really comes down to your budget, preferences, and how much time and energy you can realistically commit.

If you decide to go through a maid agency, there are plenty of benefits — especially if you're hiring for the first time.

Agencies handle most of the heavy lifting for you, including:

• Sourcing candidates (whether a local transfer or a fresh helper from overseas)

• Conducting interviews (the best maid agencies for elderly care also help bridge language gaps — at Trinity Pass, for example, we specialise in Burmese-speaking helpers)

• Handling all the tedious Work Permit paperwork

• Arranging medical screenings

• Providing insurance

• Supporting in-home training — we offer a private maid training programme in your home to help your FDW settle into the exact environment they’ll be working in

If you’re new to hiring a maid, going with an agency is usually the norm — and often the most efficient route.

You can also check an agency’s placement volume and success rates on the Ministry of Manpower’s website to make an informed choice.

Ultimately, the decision between hiring an untrained maid or a professional caregiver should be carefully considered. 

You will need to weigh the specific needs of the elderly individual and the available budget.

The safest choice would be to opt for the Eldercarer FDW Scheme, where your domestic helper is trained for the job, relative to the complexity of the care required.

Whether you’re just starting to explore your options or feel ready to take the next step, hiring a maid for elderly care in Singapore is ultimately about giving your loved one the comfort, consistency, and attention they deserve.

There’s a lot to think about — from daily routines and medical needs to costs, government support, and choosing between part-time, full-time, or even hybrid solutions.

But you don’t have to figure it all out alone. Take your time, weigh what matters most to your family, and when you’re ready, we’ll be here to help you find the right fit.