Growing old is a natural part of life. As we age, things that we used to do easily become more challenging. Despite advances in healthcare, basic tasks such as cooking, cleaning or even going to the bathroom can be difficult. Without help, these daily routines may end up impacting the quality of life for the elderly and those around them.
One way to overcome this is to implement changes to accident-proof the living area. However, making such home improvements can be costly. Fortunately, there is financial support in the form of the Seniors’ Mobility and Enabling Fund (SMF).
What is SMF?
The Seniors’ and Mobility Fund, or SMF, is an assistance scheme for those aged 60 years and above in Singapore. It aims to provide the necessities for mobility to help them live independently.
Established by the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC), it offsets the cost of senior mobility aids such as assisted devices, home healthcare items and specialised transportation services. Seniors who meet the fund criteria will enjoy up to 90% subsidy for such costs or 90% of the maximum device subsidy cap, whichever is lower.
What is Covered?
Certain devices or healthcare items can be used to make Activities of Daily Living (ADL) possible. Here are some examples of some of these items which can be covered under the SMF:
1. Assistive devices
- Basic wheelchair or pushchair
- Commode or shower chair
- Geriatric chair
- Hearing aid
- Hospital bed
- Motorised wheelchair or scooter
- Pressure relief cushion
- Pressure relief mattress
- Spectacles
- Walking aids
- Other special equipment such as suction pumps, transfer boards, or oxygen concentrators
2. Home healthcare items
- Adult diapers
- Catheters and catheter sets
- Milk feeds
- Nasal tubing
- Nasogastric tubes
- pH indicator test strips
- Thickeners
- Wound dressings
3. Transportation services
Apart from the items listed above, seniors who are receiving care from the following centres funded by Ministry of Health (MOH) can also tap on the subsidies:
- Hospice care centres
- Eldercare centres
- Dialysis centres
Who Can Apply?
To qualify for the SMF, applicants must:
- Be a Singapore Citizen aged 60 years old and above
- Have a total monthly household income of $2,000 per person, or live in a residence with an Annual Value (AV) of $13,000 and below
- Complete and pass the means-test by MOH
- Not have applied for the Assistive Devices or Home Healthcare Items category previously
- Live within the community and not in a nursing home or assisted living facility
- Be able to co-pay for the device or item
- Be assessed on the type of device or item required by a qualified assessor such as a registered medical professional
Let Jaga-Me Help You
Not being able to move around conveniently can be extremely frustrating. With an increasing number of elderly experiencing mobility difficulties, family members can start to look into how they can reduce the challenges seniors will face. One of the ways is to engage the help of elderly home care services.
The application process of the SMF is pretty seamless and uncomplicated. You can easily apply directly to AIC or through your doctor or even home care provider. Simply let them know you would like to apply for the fund. As a professional home caregiver in Singapore, Jaga-Me will also be able to submit the SMF application on your behalf to AIC. With a wide range of medical and non-medical services, our trained caregivers can also lend you a helping hand with services such as daily respite care and home nursing.
Contact us to learn more about the Seniors’ Mobility and Enabling Fund and how we can help you and your elderly loved one today.
