Health x Wellness
Stroke Rehab in Singapore Gets a Major Upgrade
When it comes to strokes, recovery isn’t just about surviving. It’s about rebuilding life. But for many stroke survivors in Singapore, the journey from hospital to rehabilitation is slow, fragmented, and frustrating. That’s about to change.
A new SGD 6.59 million Stroke Rehab Ecosystem is being rolled out across Singapore, led by the Lien Foundation, Singapore General Hospital (SGH), and Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH). The initiative aims to slash wait times for rehab, improve mental health support, and introduce Singapore’s first adaptive gym designed specifically for stroke survivors.
From Months to Weeks: Speeding Up Rehab Access
Currently, stroke survivors can wait months before starting community rehabilitation — a delay that can cost them mobility, independence, and quality of life. The new ecosystem will reduce that wait to just one to two weeks post-discharge.
Stroke survivors will be screened and placed into one of three tiers:
- Tier 1 (40 percent): Mild cases, focused on wellness and lifestyle support
- Tier 2 (40 percent): High rehab potential, with active therapy at Day Rehab Centres
- Tier 3 (20 percent): Severe cases, prioritising caregiver support and care management
Home therapy services will bridge the gap while survivors await formal rehab, and dedicated coordinators will guide each patient’s journey for up to a year.
Rehab That’s Smarter, Not Just Faster
The initiative isn’t just about speed — it’s about quality. SGH and TTSH will work with community partners like AWWA, NTUC Health, Stroke Support Station (S3), St Luke’s ElderCare, and SPD to:
- Co-develop structured care pathways
- Upskill community therapists with hospital-led training
- Provide mental health support for stroke survivors, including early intervention for depression and cognitive decline
This collaborative model ensures that rehab is consistent, personalised, and holistic — not just a checklist of exercises.
Singapore’s First Adaptive Gym for Stroke Survivors
The Lien Foundation is investing SGD 1.5 million to build an adaptive gym at Ang Mo Kio Hub, operated by S3. This isn’t your average fitness centre — it’s a space designed to help stroke survivors transition from rehab to active living.
Features include:
- Universal design and advanced rehab equipment
- Peer support programmes
- Professional therapists and specially trained exercise coaches
- A mindset shift: from patient in recovery to athlete in training
The gym aims to reduce the risk of recurrent strokes and promote long-term physical and emotional wellbeing.
Why This Matters
Stroke is the third leading cause of disease burden in Singapore, with 10,000 cases annually. Only one in three survivors achieves partial recovery, and one in five may deteriorate without timely rehab. Add to that:
- Up to 60 percent experience cognitive impairment
- 30 percent suffer post-stroke depression
- Only 30 to 40 percent take up community rehab services
The Stroke Rehab Ecosystem is designed to change those numbers — and change lives.
Graphics attributed to a fact sheet provided in support of this announcement by the Lien Foundation, Singapore General Hospital and Tan Tock Seng Hospital.
