Care Provisions in Welfare Homes and Support for Re-integration into Community

Mr Christopher de Souza asked the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) what are the care provisions given in welfare homes in terms of lodging, food, medical assistance; and (b) what actions are taken to facilitate the resident's reconnection with family or re-integration into the community.

Mr Desmond Lee: Welfare Homes provide long-term care and support to destitute persons who are admitted under the Destitute Persons Act. They may be elderly, or may have complex needs such as chronic psychiatric conditions, addiction, and physical or intellectual disabilities. Most have limited or no family support.

The Welfare Homes are run by Voluntary Welfare Organisations, with MSF funding. The care teams assess the needs of residents and review their individualised care plans regularly. This is to ensure that they get appropriate support for their physical, emotional and social needs.

The residents have their own bed and personal space to store their belongings. Their meals are based on menus endorsed by a nutritionist or dietician. In addition, they undergo regular medical reviews by a doctor and receive nursing care from an in-house nursing team to address their healthcare needs. Residents are provided with fully-subsidised standard medical treatment and medication at public healthcare institutions. Besides these, they also receive counselling and social work support, and if necessary, therapy, to help them resolve their underlying issues and improve their well-being.

To ensure that residents receive high standards of care, the Ministry stipulates minimum care standards and conducts unannounced inspections on Welfare Homes. In addition, there is a Board of Visitors, an independent panel of professional volunteers appointed by the Ministry, which visits the Welfare Homes on a regular basis to ensure that care standards are met.

At the Welfare Homes, the residents undergo rehabilitation programmes to build social, work, and life skills to prepare them for independent living in the community, wherever possible. Those who are assessed to have high potential for reintegration into society are placed on external employment, home leave, and pre-discharge programmes to support their transition back to the community. They are also linked up with community resources where necessary to support their reintegration.

The Welfare Home staff also support family reconciliation to address underlying issues and strengthen family relationships. Volunteers and community agencies work with Welfare Homes to complement their rehabilitative efforts, foster a sense of community belonging in residents, and facilitate their reintegration to society.