By TANIA TAN
Rehab offered to stroke patients to help them regain
some independence
MADAM Quek Gek Choo was looking forward to leisure,
relaxation and, above all,travel when she retired from
her clerical job.
But she had to put these plans on hold after a stroke
left her paralysed on her left side just three months
into her retirement.
Unable to walk unaided, the 59-year-old was ready to
give up venturing out of the house on her own, let alone
travelling overseas.
Said Madam Quek: “I felt very gek sim (heartbroken in
Hokkien). Being retired means you can enjoy, but this
sickness took that away.”
For two years, she resigned herself to the fate of
never being able to go places – until she joined the
Concern & Care
Society (CCS) early this year.
Twice weekly, she has been going to its centre in Bukit
Batok for two-hour exercise sessions, which have helped
her regain some movement in her left hand.
The routine includes stretching, lifting and exercises
to promote hand-eye coordination. She has been practising
at home as well, with the help of her maid.
She is happy to show proof of her progress, stretching
her fingers gingerly and raising her left arm to almost
shoulder height. She could do neither 10 months ago.
Since 2001, the non-profit CCS has run a slew of activities
for the elderly. Its only centre in Bukit Batok sees
more than 700 users weekly.
Music features prominently among the activities for
seniors in its Music Academy programme, which offers
them classes in music, song and dance.
The accent is also on music in its Body and Mind Renewal
Exercise programme,where stroke and Parkinson’s patients
use music and simple props in their rehabilitation.
Music makes the exercises
more enjoyable, said Madam Quek, whose favourite tune
is by a 1950s singer, Zhuang
Xuefang. On Fridays, CCS members make home visits to fellow senior
citizens around Bukit Batok.
They also work with the young,
by tying up with schools like Nanyang Girls’High to
organise activities for the
elderly.
CCS president Margaret Wee said with a rapidly ageing
society, Singapore’s young need opportunities to help
care for old folk.
For Madam Quek, CCS has not only helped her regain mobility,
but also given her hope.
Her cousin's wife May Sng
testified to a noticeable change, saying Madam Quek
seemed happier now.
The retiree is so grateful, she plans to “give back”
to the centre by volunteering there one day. She reckons
she will have recovered more fully by June next year.
First, she will need to undergo the training offered
by the centre, so she can teach other stroke patients
the same exercises that have benefited her.
She still totters unsteadily, but is already eyeing
a trip to Hong Kong which CCS is organising.
She said, with an excited
glimmer in her eyes: “I've never been to Hong Kong.
Now's my chance.”
taniat@sph.com.sg
