Centre-based Comprehensive Care

Too often, it is assumed that the nursing home is the only and best place for an older person with multiple medical and social care issues. It is not necessarily so.

Hua Mei Elder-Centred Programme of Integrated Comprehensive Care was started to help older persons who want to continue living in the community in spite of their multiple chronic medical conditions, physical frailty and weak family and social support network. It provides team-managed, person-centred, medical, social and psycho-emotional healthcare within a day club programme. Each elder receives a service package customised to his needs.

A ground-breaking innovation, EPICC was also the only programme of its kind in Singapore to accept elders who did not have dedicated caregivers at home. It meets the needs of some of the most under-served older persons among us. It is modelled on the widely accepted American-originated Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE).

EPICC was piloted in 2011, with a bold a randomised control trial (RCT) to assess its medical and social impact.

Currently, it is partially funded by the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) under a capitated funding scheme known as the IHDC. 

Approach:

EPICC participants are brought to the Hua Mei Centre each day of the programme. We fetch the elders from their homes, preparing them for the day if necessary, and make sure they are safely back in their homes at the end of the day.

At the Centre, where they spend 6 hours each programme day, participants receive medical care and physiotherapy, engage in stimulating activities, and find social support. Their attendance at the day club supports person-centred care delivery. It enables us to monitor closely their physical, emotional and social situations. Whenever they are unable to attend, the team delivers critical medication to them. They also have 24-hour medical emergency coverage, and home-help when there are no alternatives.

EPICC is team-managed: every member serves a critical role in delivering the comprehensive and integrated services necessary to the elder’s wellbeing. The team comprises a physician, nurse, social worker, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, day centre manager, programme assistants, administrative assistant, and driver.

We provide:
• Day club programme inclusive of transport and meals
• Medical and nursing care
• Physiotherapy
• Social engagement activities and outings
• Medication delivery and home help services when critical

We serve persons who are:
• aged 60 years and above
• classified as ‘high Category 2 - Category 3’ under the Residence Assessment Form (RAF), and as such are eligible for community care or nursing homes 
• who are not bed-bound, do not have infectious/ communicable diseases, dementia and behavioral problems; and are not undergoing dialysis treatment, radiotherapy or chemotherapy
• meet means testing to be eligible for 40% state subsidies*
• living in the vicinity of Tiong Bahru*



How to refer:
Referral is through AIC.

Fees:
Varies according to the services delivered and subsidies available, upon relevant assessment. Please contact us to discuss your interest.