Getting to therapy can be hard for older adults and their families, especially after a stroke or a hospital stay, or when living with dementia, Parkinson’s disease or frailty. We bring specialist speech and swallowing therapy to the patient’s home across Singapore, so therapy takes place where everyday eating, drinking and conversation actually happen.
Home visits are carried out by our Senior Principal Speech Therapists, who have many years of experience in adult and geriatric rehabilitation, including complex swallowing difficulties.
Who home therapy is for
- Older adults who find travelling to appointments difficult or tiring
- People recently discharged from hospital or a community hospital, for example after a stroke, pneumonia or surgery
- People who are frail, bedbound or have limited mobility
- People living with dementia, who are often more settled in familiar surroundings
- Families and domestic helpers who want to learn how to help safely at mealtimes
Conditions we help with at home
- Swallowing difficulties (dysphagia): coughing or choking during meals, food sticking in the throat, or repeated chest infections
- Speech, language and swallowing problems after a stroke, including brainstem stroke
- Aphasia: difficulty finding words, understanding, reading or writing
- Dysarthria: slurred, soft or weak speech
- Cognitive-communication difficulties affecting attention, memory and conversation
- Speech, voice and swallowing changes in Parkinson’s disease and other neurological conditions
- Eating and swallowing difficulties in dementia
- Swallowing after treatment for head and neck cancer, including nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC)
- Weaning from a feeding tube (nasogastric tube or PEG) when it is safe to do so
What happens during a home visit
- Before the first visit: we speak with you or your family about the medical history, current diet and main concerns. It helps to have hospital discharge summaries, reports and a medication list ready.
- Assessment: we assess speech, language, voice and swallowing. For swallowing, we may try different fluid or food consistencies to see which are safest.
- Recommendations: safe food and drink textures (following IDDSI), seating and positioning, and mealtime strategies.
- Therapy: exercises and practice tailored to the person’s goals and built into daily routines. Where helpful, this includes sEMG biofeedback and the Chin Tuck Against Resistance (CTAR) exercise.
- Caregiver training: we show family members and domestic helpers how to support practice and keep mealtimes safe between sessions.
- Review: we track progress, adjust the plan and, with your consent, keep the doctor or care team updated.
Why therapy at home can help
- Therapy uses the person’s real meals, cups, utensils and routines
- It is less tiring than travelling, so the person has more energy for therapy
- Family members and helpers can take part directly
- We can advise on the home set-up, such as seating, lighting and how food is prepared
When a closer look at the swallow is needed
If we need to see exactly what is happening inside the throat, we can arrange an instrumental swallow evaluation (FEES), which can be carried out at home where suitable.
Online sessions and care facilities
Follow-up sessions can also be held online when this suits the person and their family. For nursing homes and care facilities, see Institutional Consultations & Training.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a doctor’s referral?
No. Patients and families can contact us directly. If you have reports from the hospital or doctor, please share them with us.
How long is each session?
Sessions usually last 45 to 60 minutes.
Which areas of Singapore do you cover?
We provide home visits across Singapore. Please contact us with your location and we will arrange a suitable time.
Can I use Medisave?
Our services are not claimable under Medisave. Some insurance plans may cover speech therapy, so please check with your insurer.
Can a family member or domestic helper join the session?
Yes, and we encourage it. The people who help with meals and daily care play an important part in progress and safety.
Is home therapy suitable for someone who is bedbound or has a feeding tube?
Yes. Home therapy is often most useful for people who cannot easily travel, including those who are bedbound or tube-fed.