Hospital extends delirium care into Singapore homes
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Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) in Singapore now provides delirium care within patients’ homes through its TTSH@Home program, offering hospital-level treatment outside of a hospital setting.
Doctors at TTSH noticed that delirium, a sudden state of confusion often mistaken for dementia, frequently goes undiagnosed and can lead to long-term problems like dementia and reduced quality of life. To address this, they developed a system where nurses visit patients at home, monitor their conditions, and educate caregivers.
The program was inspired by a similar initiative in Greater Manchester, Britain, which demonstrated successful management of patients outside of hospital walls. A TTSH study found that over 11% of patients aged 65 and older experience delirium during hospital stays for surgery, with the risk tripling for those with dementia. Another study showed that approximately 31% of delirium patients developed dementia within five years, highlighting the importance of early intervention.
Since implementing the home-based pathway from June to December 2025, TTSH diagnosed delirium in 28.4% of elderly patients receiving care at home. Despite needing slightly longer care periods, hospital readmission rates remained low. TTSH has also extended its support by training over 130 community caregivers from 23 partner organizations in delirium and dementia awareness, equipping them to provide better support to patients and their families.
