Future Care Planning

Future care planning helps you to plan how your loved one can continue to be supported when you are no longer able to care for them. Planning ahead makes future care transitions smoother and gives both you and your loved one assurance and greater peace of mind.

You can explore more guidance and practical resources on this page to help you begin putting a plan into action.

What is Future Care Planning?

Future Care Planning is an ongoing process of understanding your loved one’s preferences, discussing options, and preparing for future changes in care. Starting conversations early allows everyone to take small, manageable steps and make more thoughtful, informed decisions over time.

A Living Plan that Evolves

A good Future Care Plan should be flexible and regularly updated as needs or circumstances change. Such a plan will lay the foundation to support your loved one’s well-being and enable others to continue care with confidence.

The 5 Domains of Future Care Planning

 
5 domains - Meaningful engagement, Relationships, Financial, Housing and Living, Medical and Healthcare

The five domains guide you through the essential areas to consider when planning. They can help you:

  • Understand the key components of a holistic Future Care Plan
  • Start meaningful conversations with your loved one and family
  • Take small manageable steps towards building the plan
  • Review and update your plan as your loved one’s needs and circumstances change.

Icon_key-points  Key Points

Meaningful engagement supports your loved one’s well-being and helps them build confidence, social connections, and a sense of purpose. Think about how they spend their daily time and what brings them joy, fulfilment, or motivation. Conversations can help you identify opportunities that align with their interests and strengths.

  • What activities, hobbies, or environments does your loved one enjoy and feel comfortable in?
  • How can your loved one continue learning, participating, and contributing in ways that match their interests and abilities?
  • What community resources might help your loved one grow and achieve their goals?

1. Social and community engagement

Social participation is an important part of a meaningful life. Being part of interest groups or community activities helps your loved one explore their passions, express themselves, and build a sense of belonging.

Your loved one may benefit from:

  • Interest-based activities such as sports, arts, music, crafting or gaming – which support creativity, physical activity, and emotional expression.
  • Community groups and clubs, where they can engage at a pace that feels comfortable, whether through regular meetups, workshops, or neighbourhood events.
  • Safe and supportive environments that help them practise social skills, gain confidence, and experience shared enjoyment with peers.


2. Lifelong learning and employment

Learning and working are meaningful pathways that help your loved one build skills, independence, and confidence. Depending on their goals, they may explore further education, training, or employment options that match their strengths and interests.  

  • Pursue further education at an Institute of Higher Learning, where they can explore academic interests and develop new competencies.
  • Explore work opportunities through training and job placements. These programmes offer vocational exploration, guidance, workplace adjustments, and ongoing job support to help them transition into meaningful roles.


A Note to Caregivers

As you support your loved one to explore meaningful activities, it is equally important to care for your own well-being. When you stay connected, supported, and engaged in purposeful activities, you are better able to sustain caregiving with resilience.

Consider:

Icon_key-points  Key Points

Your loved one’s relationships play an important role in their emotional well-being, sense of safety, and daily support. Think about the people they trust, enjoy spending time with, and naturally turn to in different situations.

  • Who are the people your loved one connects well with and feels most comfortable around?
  • Which relationships give support, stability, or joy to your loved one?
  • Are there relationships that can be strengthened, reconnected, or newly formed?

1. Identifying Key Relationships

Every person’s support network is unique. Take time to map out the people who play meaningful roles in your loved one’s life – not only family members but also friends, neighbours, classmates, teachers, mentors, or people from community groups.

Understanding this network helps you:

  • Know who your loved one naturally relies on for comfort, help, or companionship
  • Identify trusted individuals who may support decision-making in the future
  • Recognise relationships that are positive, nurturing, and safe
  • Notice any gaps or connections that may need attention

Having a clear picture of these relationships gives a strong foundation for future care arrangements, ensuring your loved one is supported by people who understand them well.

2. Strengthening & Sustaining Meaningful Relationships

Once key relationships are identified, the next step is nurturing the connections that matter most. Healthy relationships provide emotional support, continuity, and a sense of belonging – all of which become especially important during future care transitions.

Consider how you can help your loved one:

  • Maintain regular contact with people they trust and enjoy spending time with
  • Rebuild connections that are meaningful but may have grown distant
  • Practise communication or social skills that help them stay connected
  • Form new relationships through community activities, interest groups, or shared routines
  • Build familiarity with people who may take on caregiving or supportive roles in the future

Small, consistent interactions – calls, messages, shared activities, or simple check-ins – can help sustain strong bonds over time.

A Note to Caregivers

Meaningful relationships matter for caregivers too. Staying connected with others who understand the caregiving journey can offer emotional strength, reassurance, and practical support.

You may find it helpful to:

  • Join caregiver support groups or networks
  • Connect with others who have similar experiences
  • Share concerns, tips and encouragement in safe community spaces

These networks can become part of your support system as you plan for the future.

Icon_key-points  Key Points

Planning ahead for your loved one’s living arrangements helps ensure comfort, safety, and a sense of independence. As you think about the future, these questions may help guide conversations:

  • What daily living skills (e.g., personal care, organisation, and time management) does your loved one already have, and what more can they learn? What type of living arrangement will your loved one feel most comfortable in?
  • Who can step in if you are temporarily or permanently unable to provide care? What support will your loved one need to prepare for changes in care and living arrangements?

1. Foster independent living skills 

Developing independent living skills is an important part of future care planning. Strengthening these abilities helps your loved one become more confident, self-reliant, and better prepared to adapt to different living environments in the future. better prepared to adapt to different living environments in the future.

You may wish to support your loved one in developing skills such as:

  • Personal care: hygiene, dressing, grooming
  • Time management: planning and following daily routines
  • Basic money management: budgeting and managing expenses
  • Household tasks: simple cleaning, laundry, helping with meal preparation

You can break tasks into small, manageable steps, use visual aids (like schedules or checklists), and practise routines together. Over time, these efforts help your loved one build confidence, take responsibility for their tasks, and feel more in control of their daily life.

If your loved one attends a support service (e.g., special education school, day activity centre), consider working with the service provider to align goals and create a plan that is reinforced both at home and in the centre.

The Enabling Academy provides a list of training courses across areas such as communication, numeracy, and money management. These courses can help your loved one develop practical skills and strengthen their readiness for future living arrangements.  


2. Care options and arrangements

Choosing the right care arrangement depends on your loved one’s abilities, preferences, and long-term goals. Arrangements may include home care, assisted living, or services that offer structured routines and supervision such as residential facilities. Families can prepare by understanding available supports and putting plans in place early can prepare by understanding available supports and putting plans in place early.

 

A smooth transition into a new living arrangement can be supported by:

  • Introducing your loved one to future caregivers. Short, gradual interactions help build familiarity and trust.
  • Preparing them for new routines and expectations. Practising relevant daily living skills in advance can help them adapt with confidence.
  • Familiarising them with the new environment. Visiting the new place of stay, exploring common areas can help reduce anxiety.

Having a contingency plan helps ensure continuity of care if you are temporarily or permanently unable to support your loved one. This may include identifying alternative caregivers, considering alternate living arrangements, or knowing which emergency or respite services to activate. Contingency planning offers peace of mind that your loved one can remain safe, supported, and cared for, even in unforeseen situations.

 
 

Icon_key-points  Key Points

Planning for your loved one’s healthcare needs supports their well-being for the present and future. As you think about long-term care, you may find the following guiding questions helpful:

  • What healthcare services or support are available in your community?
  • What are your loved one’s current health needs, and how might these change over time?
  • Is there a primary healthcare professional who can offer consistent, long-term care for your loved one?
  • Can your loved one make healthcare decisions independently?
  • What are your loved one’s wishes for future medical care?

1. Identify relevant healthcare support in your community 

Building a trusted healthcare network is an important part of future care planning. Consistent healthcare support helps you monitor your loved one’s needs over time and provides reassurance when needs evolve or situations change. You may wish to:

  • Identify trusted clinics and doctors. Look for healthcare providers who offer a supportive environment and can communicate clearly with you and your loved one. Having a primary doctor or clinic that you can regularly visit helps reduce stress around appointments and provides continuity of care over the years.
  • Schedule regular check-ups. Routine appointments help with the monitoring of your loved one’s overall health, managing their ongoing conditions, and detecting changes early.
  • Use simple health education materials. Visual guides, reading materials, or social stories can help your loved one understand what to expect during check-ups and how to adopt a healthy lifestyle. These tools help reduce anxiety, improve comprehension, and make visits smoother and more predictable.

Some disability-friendly clinics that caregivers have found helpful include:


2. Advance Care Planning

Advance Care Planning (ACP) allows individuals with mental capacity to express their healthcare preferences and share what matters most to them. These conversations help ensure your loved one’s values guide future decisions, especially in situations where they may not be able to communicate their wishes.  

If you explore ACP with your loved one, you may wish to seek the support of ACP facilitators. They are trained to guide families through conversations, help structure discussions, explain unfamiliar terms, and clarify scenarios so that individual preferences are meaningfully captured.

  • Discuss personal values and care goals. Explore what your loved one finds important – comfort, independence, religious beliefs, or preferred approaches to care. Explore what they may or may not want in different medical situations.
  • Choose a Nominated Healthcare Spokesperson (NHS). Support your loved one to identify someone they trust, who can speak on their behalf if needed.
  • Document and share their wishes. Recording and sharing your loved one’s healthcare preferences help ensure clarity and consistency across caregivers during care transitions.


A Note to Caregivers

Just as ACP is important for your loved one, it is also meaningful for you. Taking time to reflect on your own healthcare preferences can:

  • Reduce uncertainty for your family
  • Ensure your wishes are understood
  • Provide clarity during emergencies
  • Model thoughtful planning for your loved one

Icon_key-points  Key Points

Planning ahead for finances helps ensure your loved one has sufficient funds to meet daily care needs and access necessary support in the future. You may find the following questions helpful as you begin:  

  • What are your loved one’s current financial needs, and how may these change over time?
  • What savings, policies, or resources do you already have in place?
  • Are there schemes or subsidies that can help reduce long-term care costs?
  • Are there additional financial measures that may help safeguard against unexpected situations?

1. Foster financial security through trusts and savings

Understanding your loved one’s long-term financial needs allows you to prepare early and avoid gaps in the future.

  • Estimate future needs. Consider the costs required to support their daily living needs—such as housing, food, medical care, therapy, transport, and recreational activities. Understanding these expenses helps you plan realistically and more accurately for the years ahead.
  • Review what you already have in place. Take stock of existing savings, insurance policies, investments, or assets where your loved one has been named as a beneficiary. This gives you clarity about what additional arrangements may be helpful.
  • Explore whether a trust is suitable. A trust fund such as one managed by  Special Needs Trust Company (SNTC), a fully owned subsidiary of SG Enable, can help ensure your loved one receives assets in a protected and structured manner. Trusts also provide a clear way for you to outline how the funds should be used to support your loved one after your passing.
  • Plan for sustainable payouts. Under the Special Needs Savings Scheme (SNSS), your CPF savings can be used to provide monthly payouts to your loved one after your passing. This provides a reliable, long-term source of financial support.


2. Support your finances with schemes, subsidies and insurance

Government subsidies, insurance schemes and financial assistance can help reduce long-term care and caregiving expenses.

Check your eligibility for schemes such as:

  • CareShield Life
  • Home Caregiving Grant
  • Matched Retirement Savings Scheme (MRSS)

You may also consider:

  • Insurance plans where your loved one is the beneficiary. These may include savings plans, endowment policies, or investment-linked plans that grow over time and provide financial support when needed. Naming your loved one as the beneficiary ensures that they directly receive the funds intended for their care.
  • Health insurance plans that offer suitable coverage for your loved one’s medical or long-term care needs. Adequate health insurance can reduce out-of-pocket expenses, give your loved one access to timely treatment, and protect your family from unexpected financial strain.
A Note to Caregivers

Financial planning is as important for you as it is for your loved one. Preparing your own arrangements – such as reviewing your insurance coverage, building your savings, and putting in place a Will – helps ensure continuity of care and financial stability should something unexpected happen.

A will allows you to clearly state how your assets are to be managed upon your passing. Consider getting support from a professional to help you write the will, so that your wishes are clearly and properly recorded.

 
 

Icon_key-points  Key Points

Legal tools can support future care planning when decisions need to be made on behalf of a person. While not necessary for everyone, these tools may be helpful depending on your family’s needs and your loved one’s ability to make decisions.

You may wish to consider:

  • What kinds of decisions your loved one may need help with in the future (e.g. managing money, consenting to healthcare, inheritance).
  • Whether your loved one can understand information and make these decisions independently.
  • Whether you or future caregivers may need legal authority to support them.
  • Whether your loved one – while they still have mental capacity – can appoint a trusted individual to make decisions for them in the future, when needed.


1. Deputyship

If your loved one lacks mental capacity, you may consider applying for deputyship. A deputy is appointed by the court and has legal powers to make decisions in the person’s best interests. Deputyship is not mandatory, but it can be useful when caregivers need legal authority to act.

Deputyship may be helpful when decisions are required in areas such as:

  • Property and affairs (e.g. managing bank accounts, handling inheritance matters)
  • Personal welfare (e.g. making decisions about healthcare, daily care arrangements)
  • For loved ones under 21 years old: A Testamentary Guardian may be appointed to care for the child if both parents pass on.
  • For loved ones aged 21 and above: You may apply for deputyship to support decision-making in personal welfare and/or property and affairs.


Application pathways:

  • Simplified process - This route is designed to be more accessible and quicker, with a standard set of deputyship powers for straightforward cases where certain criteria are met.

     

    Under this route, the Assisted Deputyship Application Programme (ADAP)[HM1] , supported by the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF), provides guidance to eligible parents of persons with disabilities who lack mental capacity to apply to the Family Justice Courts to be appointed as deputies for their adult child.

  • Standard process – This route allows families to apply for specific or customised deputyship powers. It is suitable when the decisions required to be made go beyond the standard set of powers covered under the simplified process.

If there is no suitable person to be appointed, the Professional Deputies and Donees (PDD) Scheme enable registered and trained professionals such as lawyers or social workers to be appointed to act in your loved one’s best interest.

 

2. Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)

An LPA allows a person with mental capacity to choose someone they trust – called a Donee – to make decisions for them should they lose mental capacity in the future.

A Donee may be appointed to make decisions in one or both areas:

  • Personal welfare (e.g. healthcare, daily care, living arrangements)
  • Property and affairs (e.g. financial matters, managing inheritance)

Encouraging your loved one to make an LPA, if they have mental capacity, helps ensure their wishes are respected and that someone they trust has the legal authority to act when needed.


A Note to Caregivers

Having your own LPA is also important. It ensures that:

  • A trusted person can make decisions for you; and
  • They understand your preferences and your care arrangements for your loved one.

This helps protect both your interests and your loved one’s continuity of care.



Planning Ahead is An Act of Love

To help you start preparing and planning for your loved ones so that they will continue to be cared for and lead fulfilling lives, feel free to download the future care planning resources and tools that SG Enable has developed (the list will be updated as more resources are made available):

Take the First Step Now

For persons with disabilities and caregivers who wish to know more about future care planning and kickstart your journey, you can approach your touchpoint or contact our SG Enable Future Care Planning team at futurecareplanning@sgenable.sg.
 
For sector professionals who wish to be better equipped to guide clients and families in future care planning, there is a Future Care Planning Resource Centre (FCP RC) located within the Vista block at Enabling Village.


About FCPRC

The FCPRC strengthens sector capabilities and engages community partners to empower persons with disabilities and their caregivers to plan early and confidently for their long-term care. It is an initiative by SG Enable.

Please visit our SG Enable website for more information.

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