APCATS

APCATS

APCATS is a community-oriented psychogeriatric outreach service. It has two programmes: APCATS Clinical Service (CS) and Regional Eldercare Agencies Partnership (REAP).

APCATS Clinical Service (CS) provides assessments and treatments for homebound or frail elderly with mental health disorders. It aims to:

Provide mental health services to the elderly who are frail or who have difficulties accessing mental health services;
Prevent unnecessary admissions and minimise the length of stay in wards / other inpatient mental health services;
Promote ageing-in-place in the community by supporting caregivers and reducing their burden of care.

Download APCATS Clinical Service brochure here.

Services

APCATS is delivered through a multidisciplinary team comprising medical officers, psychologists, geriatric-psychiatric nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and medical social workers under the supervision of a consultant geriatric psychiatrist. Its services include:

Assessment
The assessment is generally conducted in the client's home.
Treatment
The treatment is pitched at the resolution or alleviation of symptoms of psychiatric disorders, reducing behavioural disabilities, and relieving stress on caregivers through comprehensive psychogeriatric management strategies. These strategies include pharmacological, psychological and social interventions, via a range of hospital and community-based resources.
Psycho-education
Education is provided to support clients, families and caregivers to assist them to make informed choices on services and appropriate accommodation.
Case Management
Case managers conduct assessments and formulate individualised service plans. They also provide liaison services in referring clients to other appropriate services.
Medication Home Delivery
This service is available for clients who meet the Clinical Services eligibility criteria.

Eligibility Criteria for Clinical Service

The intake inclusion criteria include clients who:

- Are aged 65 years and above

- Have mental disorders, such as dementia, depressive disorders and psychotic disorders.

- Have significant disability from their mental and/or physical illnesses and are non-community ambulant

The exclusion criteria include clients who:

- Are diagnosed with physical disability only

- Are diagnosed with transient mental health problems and are now well

- Are residing in the nursing home

- Require mainly palliative care

APCATS does not provide crisis intervention or one-off or / ad-hoc assessment.

In times of crisis, please call the IMH’s emergency services for immediate attention or the IMH 24-hour crisis hotline at (65) 6389 2222.

Service boundaries

APCATS services are accessible to patients residing within the central and western regions of Singapore. These regions are:

Ang Mo Kio GRC

Nee Soon South
Jalan Kayu
Sengkang West
Cheng San Seletar
Kebun Baru
Teck Ghee

Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC

Thomson
Bishan-Toa Payoh North
Bishan East
Toa Payoh East
Toa Payoh Central

Tanjong Pagar GRC

Tanglin-Cairnhill
Queenstown
Tiong Bahru
Radin Mas
Tanjong Pagar

Jalan Besar GRC

Kolam Ayer
Whampoa
Jalan Besar
Kampong Glam
Kreta-Ayer-Kim Seng

Hong Kah GRC

Hong Kah North
Yew Tee
Nanyang
Bukit Gombak
Keat Hong

Jurong GRC

Jurong Central
Taman Jurong
Yuhua
Bukit Batok
Bukit Batok East

West Coast GRC

Telok Blangah
Pioneer
Ayer Rajah - West Coast
Clementi
Boon Lay

Holland-Bukit Timah GRC

Buona Vista
Bukit Timah
Cashew
Ulu Pandan
Zhenghua

Sembawang GRC

Admiralty
Chong Pang
Canberra
Marsiling
Sembawang
Woodlands

Bukit Panjang SMC
Chua Chu Kang SMC
Nee Soon Central SMC
Nee Soon East SMC
Yio Chu Kang SMC

Patients who reside in the east of Singapore may seek similar services from Changi General Hospital.

Referral

APCATS accepts referrals that meet the criteria set by healthcare professionals, as well as by the staff of social agencies. A referral form can be downloaded using the link below. The completed form should be faxed to 6489 0100, or emailed to us at apcats@imh.com.sg. APCATS will notify the person who made the referral of the outcome.

Click here for a referral form to be filled in by your healthcare professional or social agency staff.

Charges

Appropriate charges apply. Financial assistance is available, subject to a financial assessment.

Operating hours

Mondays to Fridays: 8 am – 5.30 pm.
Closed on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays.

For enquiries and charges, please contact:

Tel: 6389 2175
Fax: 6489 0100
Email:apcats@imh.com.sg

The APCATS – Regional Eldercare Agencies Partnership (APCATS-REAP) is an extension of APCATS. It aims to:

Extend partnership with community eldercare agencies and primary care practitioners to meet the psychosocial needs of the elderly in the community;
Empower the community eldercare agencies and primary care practitioners to manage the elderly with mental disorders through training, consultation and support.
Enhance awareness and facilitate early detection of mental disorders in the elderly.

For more info on APCATS-REAP, please click here.

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