APCATS is a community-oriented psycho-geriatric outreach service. It has two programmes:
Clinical Service (CS) and Regional Eldercare Agencies Partnership (REAP).
APCATS Clinical Service (CS)provides assessment and treatment for homebound or frail elderly with mental health disorders. The aims are to:
- Provide mental health services to elderly with frailty or difficulties accessing mental health services
- Prevent unnecessary admission and minimize the length of stay in inpatient mental health services
- Promote ageing-in-place in the community by supporting caregivers and reduce the burden of care
Regional Eldercare Agencies Partnership (REAP) was launched in 2008 to expand psycho-geriatric services into the community. The aims are to:
- Extend partnership with community eldercare agencies and primary care practitioners to meet the psychosocial needs of the elderly in the community
- Enhance awareness and facilitate early detection of mental disorders in the elderly
- Empower the community eldercare agencies and primary care practitioners to manage the elderly with mental disorders through training, consultation and support
For more information on the REAP programme, please click here for the brochure.
Services
The service is delivered through a multidisciplinary team comprising medical officers, psychologists, geriatric-psychiatric nurses, occupational therapist, physiotherapist and medical social workers under the supervision of a consultant geriatric psychiatrist. APCATS does not provide crisis intervention or one-off or ad-hoc assessment.
In times of crisis, please refer case to the IMH’s emergency services for immediate attention or call the IMH 24-hour crisis hotline at (65) 6389 2222.
Services include:
- Assessment
The assessment is generally conducted in the client's home.
- Treatment
The treatment is pitched at resolution or alleviation of symptoms of psychiatric disorders, reducing behavioural disabilities and relieving stress on carers through comprehensive psychogeriatric management strategies that 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 carers to assist them to make informed choices on services and appropriate accommodation.
- Case Management
Case managers conduct assessments and formulate individualised service plan. They also provide liaison service in referring clients to other appropriate services.
- Medication Home Delivery
This service is available for those who meet the eligibility criteria.
Eligibility
Elderly patients aged 65 and above with:
- Mental disorders such as dementia, depressive disorders and psychotic disorders
- Significant disability from their mental and/or physical illnesses and are unable or have considerable difficulties in leaving home
- high likelihood / has history of defaulting their follow-up treatment
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 or other long term care facilities
- Need mainly palliative care
Service boundaries
APCATS services are accessible to patients residing within the central and western regions of Singapore. These comprise the following:
- 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 North
- Yew Tee
- Nanyang
- Bukit Gombak
- Keat Hong
- Jurong Central
- Taman Jurong
- Yuhua
- Bukit Batok
- Bukit Batok East
- 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
Referral
APCATS accepts referrals that fulfill the entrance criteria from healthcare professionals as well as
staff of social agencies. The 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
referring person on the outcome of the referral.
Click here for referral form to be filled in by your healthcare professional or social agency staff.
Charges
Appropriate charges apply. Financial assistance is available subject to financial assessment.
Operating hours
Mondays to Fridays, 8am to 5.30pm
Closed on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays.
For enquiries and charges, please contact:
Tel: 6389 2175
Fax: 6489 0100
Email: apcats@imh.com.sg
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