Stroke Rehab Programme

Stroke Rehabilitation Programme

For Stroke Survivors

WHAT DO WE WORK ON?

At Amazing Speech Therapy, we provide a multi-disciplinary stroke rehabilitation programme consisting of Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Psychology and Dietetics.  We work with the best partners in their respective specialties to bring you a wholistic high quality rehabilitation experience.

WHY CHOOSE US?

  • Our therapists are highly experienced in the respective areas of stroke rehabilitation, all of whom bring with them years of experience in the hospital, community and private setting.
  • Our case manager will coordinate the respective therapies for you according to your needs and preferences, taking away the burden of scheduling various therapies with different providers
  • We can provide therapy in our clinics, with suitable equipment to support your loved one’s rehabilitation, or in the comfort of your own home
  • Our therapists work closely together in a multi-disciplinary approach to ensure that your loved one receives the most effective high quality therapy service
  • We keep families and doctors updated regularly with progress, and we are easily contactable whenever there are questions
  • We work closely with SG Enable to find employment for our patients who have improved after our rehabilitation programme, integrating your loved one back into the community

SPEECH THERAPY FOR STROKE REHAB

COMMUNICATION

One third of stroke survivors experience communication difficulties which makes it difficult for them to understand what is said to them and to express their thoughts.

Our speech therapists assess all aspects of communication that can be impacted by stroke, including:

  • Difficulty understanding what has been said (receptive aphasia)
  • Difficulty using words and sentences to express what they want to say (expressive aphasia)
  • Difficulty thinking of the words they want to use (word-finding difficulties)
  • Reading difficulties (dyslexia) and writing difficulties (dysgraphia)
  • Muscle weakness which may make speech slurred or difficult to understand (dysarthria)
  • Difficulty with moving the muscles in the correct sequence to speak clearly (apraxia)
  • Difficulty with attention, memory, reasoning, organizational skills and social skills (cognitive communication)


We can also advise on communication aids and assistive technology to improve communication effectiveness post stroke.

EATING, DRINKING AND SWALLOWING

Stroke can affect a person’s ability to swallow their food, drinks and saliva (dysphagia). This results in an increased risk of malnutrition and dehydration, choking and aspiration.

Our Speech Therapists will:

  • Conduct a thorough swallowing assessment to determine the cause of the difficulty
  • Customize a swallowing rehabilitation plan
  • Provide caregiver training on food/drink preparation (modified consistencies) and safe feeding techniques
  • Provide swallowing strengthening exercises to improve the swallowing ability
  • Work with our dietician to transition off the feeding tube or ensure that your loved one has a nutritious diet of the correct consistency

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY FOR STROKE REHAB

Many stroke survivors have changes in their physical, cognitive, and emotional abilities that impede them from independently performing their daily activities related to work, parenting, or leisure.  OT services may include: 

  • Upper limb rehabilitation to improve movement and function
  • Caregiver training and support for transfers and activities of daily living)
  • Home safety modification
  • Providing assistive devices (e.g wheelchair, motorized wheelchair, commode)

Retraining in self-care skills to perform activities of daily living (ADLs) safely (e.g., bathing, dressing, functional mobility) and instrumental Als (IADLS: carrying groceries, cooking a meal, managing money, parenting)

PHYSIOTHERAPY FOR STROKE REHAB

Physiotherapy rehabilitation aims to improve function and movement, reduce pain symptoms, and improve the well-being of people with stroke.
Our Neuro Physiotherapist will provide comprehensive assessment, advice and treatment of patients with a wide range of physical impairments such as:

MUSCLE WEAKNESSES AND MOVEMENT DISORDERS

  • For people who have weaknesses in their trunk, upper and lower limbs, sensory disturbances, and balance difficulties after stroke
  • Difficulty with getting up from the bed, sitting, standing and walking
  • Difficulty in controlling and moving their limbs

RESPIRATORY DIFFICULTY

Caused by respiratory muscle weaknesses and poor cough reflex.

  • Difficulty expectorating phlegm and saliva that may require suctioning or other cough assist devices

DIETETICS FOR STROKE REHAB

Poor nutritional intake, weight loss as well as feeding and swallowing problems can persist for many months after stroke event. Therefore, early nutritional intervention is important to ensure adequate nutrition and hydration to meet the needs of stroke survivors in order to maximize their rehabilitation potential.

Our dietitians will:

  • Conduct a thorough dietary assessment to identify nutritional problems
  • Ensure adequate nutrition from tube feeding for recovery and to minimize weight and muscle loss
  • Work closely with speech therapists to ensure safe weaning off tube feeding depending on patient’s condition and swallowing ability
  • Customize meal plan based on client’s medical conditions and dietary preferences
  • Provide suggestions on oral nutritional supplements and texture modified diets
  • Monitor client’s weight as well as blood test results and adjust diet plan accordingly
  • Advise on healthy eating habits to prevent recurrence of stroke

PSYCHOLOGY FOR STROKE REHAB

Post-stroke psychological care is just as important as physical care because stroke can also affect one’s moods and emotions. Behavioural, emotional, and cognitive changes after a stroke can be stressful, but with the necessary support, stroke survivors can achieve excellent results and lead a good quality life.

Our psychologists can help with:

  • Psychological and Emotional struggles: Mood disorders may arise due to difficulties in adjusting to the many changes post-stroke, which can lead to clinically significant emotional or behavioural problems. Early recognition and active management of post-stroke depression is a necessary part of rehabilitation. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Counselling can be beneficial in managing psychological and emotional struggles post-stroke. Family members of stroke survivors may also experience immense levels of stress when trying to adapt to the many changes. If you find yourself struggling, it is important to seek help and get the necessary support.
  • Cognitive rehabilitation: Stroke can cause physical changes to brain tissue which may lead to diffuse cognitive deficits, including problems with attention, memory, executive functioning, and information processing. Neuro-cognitive therapy (NCT), also known as cognitive rehabilitation, can be beneficial in improving functioning in these areas. NCT makes use of both analogue and digital exercises which seeks to restore the loss in functioning.

ACCUPUNCTURE FOR STROKE REHAB

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medical technique that has been used in stroke treatment for thousands of years. Many stroke patients experience vast symptoms ranging from physical disability to cognitive and emotional changes. Through the fine insertion of needles, acupuncture stimulates the energy (or Qi) in the body and directs it to the desired area of recovery. In 2003, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended acupuncture as an effective treatment for stroke. Acupuncture has been reported to be safe and may help to improve the following post-stroke conditions:

Our acupuncturists can perform different forms of acupuncture, including:

  • Standard acupuncture (acupuncture with single-use stainless steel needles)
  • Electro acupuncture (standard acupuncture with electrical stimulation)
  • Auricular acupuncture (acupuncture of reflex points on the ear)

CONCLUSION

Over the years, Amazing Speech Therapy has successfully helped many stroke patients improve their function and quality of lives.  We go the extra mile to ensure we deliver effective enjoyable and wholistic therapy sessions. Contact us to get started on your stroke rehabilitation journey!