Recovering from a stroke or caring for a stroke survivor is no easy feat. Here are some useful resources you can refer to for help along the way.
For financial assistance
General
1. Financial assistance schemes
Different schemes available depending on the urgency or duration of need
MSF ComCare Interim Assistance
https://www.msf.gov.sg/Comcare/Pages/Urgent-Financial-Assistance.aspx
MSF ComCare Short-to-Medium-term Assistance
https://www.msf.gov.sg/Comcare/Pages/Short-To-Medium-Term-Assistance.aspx
MSF ComCare Long-Term Assistance
https://www.msf.gov.sg/Comcare/Pages/Public-Assistance.aspx
2. Healthcare subsidies
Financial subsidies for healthcare services
https://www.moh.gov.sg/cost-financing/healthcare-schemes-subsidies
https://www.chas.sg/
3. Medical fee exemption card
Free treatment for Singaporeans and PRs who qualify
https://www.aic.sg/financial-assistance/medical-fee-exemption-card
4. Pioneer Generation Disability Assistance
For those in the SG Pioneer generation and have difficulties performing certain daily activities (needs certification by an approved assessor)
https://www.aic.sg/financial-assistance/pioneer-generation-disability-assistance-scheme
5. Tax relief
Tax reliefs and rebates for caregivers, as well as those with selected family members who are handicapped
https://www.iras.gov.sg/irashome/Individuals/Locals/Working-Out-Your-Taxes/Deductions-for-Individuals--Reliefs--Expenses--Donations-/#title6
Transport
1. Persons with Disability Concession Card
For Singaporeans and PRs certified to have permanent disability. Includes 25% off all adult bus and train fares
https://www.sgenable.sg/pages/content.aspx?path=/schemes/transport/public-transport-concession-scheme-for-persons-with-disabilities/
2. Transport Service Subsidy (VWO Transport Subsidy Scheme)
For those with disabilities and need dedicated transport by Social Service Agencies to access Day Activity Centres (DACs)
https://www.sgenable.sg/pages/content.aspx?path=/schemes/transport/vwo-transport-subsidies/
3. Taxi subsidy
A means-tested subsidy for taxi travel to school, work or employment-related training
https://www.sgenable.sg/pages/content.aspx?path=/schemes/transport/taxi-subsidy-scheme/
4. Car subsidy (Disabled Persons Scheme)
A means-tested car subsidy for Singaporeans and PRs certified unable to use public transport and need a vehicle to earn a living
https://www.sgenable.sg/pages/content.aspx?path=/schemes/transport/disabled-persons-scheme/
5. Assistive Technology Fund
A means-tested subsidy for up to 90% of the cost of assistive equipment (e.g. wheelchair, hearing aids)
https://www.sgenable.sg/pages/content.aspx?path=/schemes/equipment-technology-home-retrofit/assistive-technology-fund/
Caregiving and personal care
1. Purchase of assistive equipment (e.g. wheelchair, hearing aids)
Assistive Technology Fund
A means-tested subsidy for up to 90% of the cost of assistive equipment (e.g. wheelchair, hearing aids)
https://www.sgenable.sg/pages/content.aspx?path=/schemes/equipment-technology-home-retrofit/assistive-technology-fund/
Senior's Mobility and enabling fund (SMF)
Subsidies for Singaporean seniors who need mobility and assistive devices, or are receiving home or community care and require home healthcare items
https://www.aic.sg/financial-assistance/Seniors%20Mobility%20And%20Enabling%20Fund%20(SMF)
2. Home caregiving grant
A monthly cash payout to support loved ones with at least permanent, moderate disability. It replaced the Foreign Domestic Worker grant in October 2019.
https://www.aic.sg/financial-assistance/Home%20Caregiving%20Grant%20%28HCG%29
3. FDW levy concession
For persons with disabilities. Allows families to pay the FDW levy at a concessionary rate
https://www.aic.sg/financial-assistance/Foreign%20Domestic%20Worker%20(FDW)%20Levy%20Concession
For caregiving help
Caregiver training and respite
1. Caregivers training grant
An annual subsidy for caregivers (family members, FDWs) to attend approved courses which help them better care for their loved ones
https://www.aic.sg/financial-assistance/Caregivers%20Training%20Grant%20(CTG)
2. Caregiver respite
Short-term (several days to few weeks) care options, when a caregiver needs a break or will be unavailable. Some nursing homes offer care within 1-5 working days
https://www.aic.sg/care-services/nursing-home
3. Caregiver support group
Find support and tips from other caregivers. Join SNSA to find out more
http://www.snsa.org.sg/activities/stroke-support-group-ssg/
4. Caregiver support group
Find support and tips from other caregivers. Join S3 to find out more
http://www.s3.org.sg/caregivers-programme
Caregiver help
1. Caregiver help
Find help for stroke survivors who need nursing care assistance at home (eg: medication management, vital signs monitoring, nursing care procedure)
https://www.aic.sg/care-services/home-nursing
2. Caregiver help
Find help for stroke survivors who require medical needs at home
https://www.aic.sg/care-services/home-medical
3. Caregiver help
Find help for stroke survivors who require home-based rehabilitation services
https://www.aic.sg/care-services/home-therapy
For personal care
Resources for personal care
1. Home personal care
Find help to assist stroke survivors with Activities of Daily Living (eg: baths, light housekeeping), medication, mind stimulating activities, elder- sitting and other care tasks
https://www.aic.sg/care-services/home-personal-care
2. Meals-on-wheels
Provide meals for stroke survivor who are homebound
https://www.aic.sg/care-services/meals-on-wheels
3. Stroke support group
Find support and tips from fellow stroke survivors. Join SNSA to find out more
http://www.snsa.org.sg/activities/stroke-support-group-ssg/
4. Developmental Disability Registry (DDR) Identity (ID) card
Discounted rates for therapies, healthcare devices, places of interest and more
https://www.ncss.gov.sg/GatewayPages/Social-Services/Adult-with-Disabilities/DDR-ID-Card
For getting around (transport)
Transport services and mobility aids
1. Subsidies for purchase of assistive technologies (e.g. wheelchair, mobility aid/device)
Assistive Technology Fund
A means-tested subsidy for up to 90% of the cost of assistive equipment (e.g. wheelchair, hearing aids)
https://www.sgenable.sg/pages/content.aspx?path=/schemes/equipment-technology-home-retrofit/assistive-technology-fund/
Senior's Mobility and enabling fund (SMF)
Subsidies for Singaporean seniors who need mobility and assistive devices, or are receiving home or community care and require home healthcare items
https://www.aic.sg/financial-assistance/Seniors%20Mobility%20And%20Enabling%20Fund%20(SMF)
2. Specialised transport service
To help you get from home to medical appointments/ treatments and back. You may be eligible for subsidies for this service.
https://www.aic.sg/care-services/medical-escort-and-transport
3. Medical escort service
To help you during at medical appointment (such as navigating the hospital and taking note of the next appointment). You may be eligible for subsidies for this service
https://www.aic.sg/care-services/medical-escort-and-transport
For finding work
Employment resources
1. StrokeHub
Read more about information on Return-to-work
https://www.healthhub.sg/sites/assets/Assets/PDFs/SingHealth/SGH%20Strokehub%20factsheet_Returning%20to%20Work_V10.3_ECMT.pdf
2. Vocational assessment service
Explore your capabilities and the types of work you may be interested in
https://www.bizlink.org.sg/services/vocational-assessment-program/
3. Sheltered workshop programme
For people with disabilities who are not yet ready for but can be trained for employment in future via the programme
https://www.bizlink.org.sg/services/sheltered-workshop-program/
4. Employment support programme
Up to 6 months of job support to help you adapt and cope with the job and working environment
https://www.spd.org.sg/employment-support-programme/
5. Transition to employment programme
A return-to-work programme tailored to your needs, to help you return to the mainstream workforce
https://www.spd.org.sg/transition-to-employment/
For returning to driving
Resources for driving
1. Information on driving eligibility
https://www.healthhub.sg/sites/assets/Assets/PDFs/SingHealth/SSI%20Strokehub%20factsheet_Driving%20Eligibility_V4.pdf
2. After a stroke, you may only resume driving after satisfying all the following criteria:
It has been at least 1 year since your stroke
Your (specialist) doctor has certified you fit-to-drive
You have passed a formal driving assessment (requires referral from your doctor)
The driving assessments are available via doctors’ referral at:
3. Car park label
For drivers and passengers with mobility impairment to park in designated lots which allow vehicle doors to open fully
https://www.sgenable.sg/pages/content.aspx?path=/schemes/accessibility/car-park-label-scheme-for-persons-with-physical-disabilities#P1
For help to quit smoking
Resources for quitting smoking
1. Harms of smoking and benefits of
quitting
Learn about smoking-related diseases caused by the harmful chemicals in cigarette smoke and motivate yourself with the benefits of quitting smoking
https://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/1468/clearing-the-air
2. Myths about quitting
Addresses myths which might be barriers in deciding to quit
https://www.healthhub.sg/a-z/medications/41/Smoking-Cessation
https://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/1787/stubbing-out-myths-about-quitting
3.
Quitting smoking: Challenges and solutions
How to manage weight gain, cravings and emotional triggers that make it hard to stop smoking
http://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/1841/5-fast-facts-about-nicotine-replacement-therapy
http://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/1749/6-smoke-free-ways-to-deal-with-emotions
http://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/1752/how-to-deal-with-cravings-after-quitting
https://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/1813/weigh-to-go-quit-smoking-without-weight-gain
4.
Ways to quit smoking
Go cold turkey or gradually reduce
https://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/1843/learn-the-way-of-the-cold-turkey
https://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/1842/gradual-reduction-in-a-nutshell
5. Getting ready to quit
A game plan so you’ll be on your way to your last cigarette
https://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/1766/build-your-quitting-game-plan
6. Quit smoking clinics
NHG Pharmacy makes quitting easier by offering Quit Smoking Services at their clinics
https://www.healthhub.sg/a-z/medical-and-care-facilities/25/quit-smoking-clinic
7. Staying smoke-free
You’ve put out your last cigarette — congrats! Here are some tips to help you avoid a smoking relapse, stay smoke-free and level up from "quitter" to "ex-smoker"
http://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/1769/keep-it-up-staying-smoke-free
8. Helping someone quit smoking
Support and encouragement you can give when your friend or loved one has the urge to smoke
http://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/1873/7-ways-to-be-a-quit-smoking-kaki
http://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/466/helpsomeonequitsmoking
For a support group
1. Stroke support group
Find support and tips from fellow stroke survivors. Join SNSA to find out more
www.snsa.org.sg
2. Stroke support station
Find support and tips from fellow stroke survivors. Join S3 to find out more
www.s3.org.sg
For stroke information
1. StrokeHub
Find information on stroke and strokecare
https://www.healthhub.sg/programmes/130/strokehub
2. StrokeHub book
English
https://www.healthhub.sg/sites/assets/Assets/PDFs/SingHealth/ENG_StrokeHub_Book2019.pdf
Mandarin
https://www.healthhub.sg/sites/assets/Assets/PDFs/SingHealth/CHI_StrokeHub_Book2019.pdf
Malay
https://www.healthhub.sg/sites/assets/Assets/PDFs/SingHealth/MAL_StrokeHub_Book2019.pdf
Tamil
https://www.healthhub.sg/sites/assets/Assets/PDFs/SingHealth/TAM_StrokeHub_Book2019.pdf
Ref: K21
