Breaking Down Costs: What You Need to Know When Hiring a Maid for Elderly Care in Singapore [2024]

In Singapore, the demand for domestic help, especially for elderly care, has seen a significant rise because of an ageing population. 

For example: did you know that seniors aged 65 years and above made up 16.6% of the population in the Lion City? 

Families looking to provide dedicated assistance and companionship to their elderly loved ones often turn to hiring maids. 

That said, we will explore the costs associated with hiring a maid for elderly care in Singapore.

As our loved ones age, the need for specialised care and support becomes essential. 

Many families opt for the compassionate option of hiring a maid. 

These helpers will assist with daily tasks, provide companionship, and ensure the well-being of their elderly family members. 

This choice not only eases the burden on family members but also ensures professional care for the elderly.

When it comes to hiring a maid for elderly care, understanding the cost breakdown is crucial. 

If you are hiring a maid for an elderly family member in Singapore, the costs can range from SGD 800 to SGD 1,500 per month. 

This will depend on factors such as experience and skills of the domestic helper, and the level of care required for the household member.

There are also non-negotiable costs such as work permit and insurance when it comes to the cost of hiring a maid in Singapore.

Check out the following costs you will have to fork out for below:

Think of the Maid Levy Concession for Aged Persons and Persons with Disabilities as a budget-friendly helping hand.

The scheme is suitable for families looking to hire a maid to care for seniors or individuals with disabilities.

With this concession, eligible households get a discount on the maid levy, making it a more affordable SGD $60 per month, compared to the standard rate of SGD $300.

To qualify, you need to be a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident, and your monthly household income should stay under SGD $10,000. 

If you or your spouse is 67 or older, or if you're a single parent with a kid under 16, you can qualify for the scheme. 

Do note that one requirement for this subsidy is that you must hire a maid to look after a senior aged 65 or older or a person with a certified disability from the Ministry of Health. 

Meeting these criteria means you can save on costs while getting the care and support you need.

Families often engage maid agencies in Singapore to find suitable maids for elderly care. 

Agencies will charge placement fees, typically ranging from SGD 2,000 to SGD 4,000. 

This cost covers the recruitment process, documentation, and initial training for the hired caregiver.

Of course, you can hire a maid without an agency, too. But for your peace of mind and to help your loved one as smoothly as possible, it's always best to engage an agency to handle all the necessary processes.

You can enlist the support of the Eldercarer Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) Scheme to make sure your elderly loved ones receive expert care.

Essentially, it’s a program that allows you to hire a Foreign Domestic Worker who has undergone specialised training in eldercare.

This training equips the FDW with essential skills, ensuring they are well-prepared to provide dedicated care to your loved ones.

By opting for the Eldercarer FDW Scheme, you not only gain a compassionate caregiver but also the assurance that your hired help is proficient in addressing the unique needs of elderly care.

When considering the care of elderly family members in Singapore, it's essential to distinguish between domestic helpers and professional caregivers. 

Domestic helpers, commonly employed as maids, are versatile individuals who assist with household chores and may extend their responsibilities to include elderly care. 

While they offer valuable support, their primary expertise lies in general domestic tasks rather than specialised elderly care, unless they’ve gone through training. 

On the other hand, professional caregivers, often sourced through caregiver agencies in Singapore, are specifically trained to provide comprehensive and dedicated care to the elderly. 

Experts have cautioned against hiring untrained maids to care for frail or sick elderly individuals, citing potential safety concerns and long-term sustainability. 

Those lacking the necessary skills may find themselves at risk of burnout when faced with the demands of looking after ailing seniors as they themselves aren’t trained for the job. 

While employing maids is often seen as the most affordable and convenient option, it's crucial to recognise the limitations. 

For instance, untrained maids may lack the expertise needed to provide specialised attention to elderly individuals with complex health conditions.

These can include diseases like Parkinson’s disease, to give you an example.

Going for a professional caregiver will address these concerns but at a much higher cost, so that’s something you’d have to keep in mind. 

It's also important to note that professional caregivers will not handle household chores like cooking or cleaning, so that means you have to fork out an additional budget for these services, increasing your overall costs in the process.

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.

In a nutshell, hiring a maid for elderly care in Singapore is more than just assistance; it's a commitment to ensuring our seniors receive the care they deserve.

By navigating through these options and understanding the unique needs of elderly care, families can make informed decisions, ultimately creating a supportive environment for their loved ones in their golden years.