Customised Physio Rehabilitation for the Elderly
The two Tzu Chi eldercare centres (Seniors Engagement and Enabling Node) have started operating in June to serve as a recreational spot for senior citizens residing in the studio apartments in the area. Besides providing a variety of activities and courses suitable for the elderly, the eldercare centres also provide Gym Tonic and rehabilitation programmes, with a plan to further strengthen its healthcare information services in the future to safeguard the health of the elderly and help them achieve the goal of active aging.
Why is there a gym room in an eldercare centre? It is actually a set of customised gym equipment that combines technology and healthcare to provide rehabilitation to seniors and help them keep fit.
Start individual exercise mode
Adjust equipment setting
Start using equipment
Workout record
Tzu Chi’s Head of Medical Services, Dr. Edwin Lim ：It’s not just a normal exercise that you see in other gyms. It takes into account their capabilities and existing illnesses. This equipment is the first to be used in an eldercare centre in Singapore. It uses hydraulic technology, which is water-powered instead of using gas compressor. There are two stages of exercises, so the users get to exercise by pushing and pulling.
Tzu Chi collaborates with the Lien Foundation to provide the Gym Tonic programme. Currently, about 30 locations island-wide provide this service. The concept of “exercise as a remedy” encourages seniors who have chronic diseases or are prone to falling to exercise.
Resident: (Not very hard)
Therapy Assistant：We just have to supervise them when they are using the machine, because sometimes they are unstable.
Resident:She is very patient with me; I feel better.
Tzu Chi volunteer：Slowly... I will move your wheelchair aside.
Singapore’s population is aging and the risk of chronic diseases in the elderly is high. Besides medication, physiotherapy and exercise are also very important. Although the Tzu Chi eldercare centre in Bukit Batok has yet to implement the Gym Tonic programme, a physiotherapist goes there to serve the elderly twice a week.
Tzu Chi Physiotherapist, Vinoth ：The patients who come here are mostly having musculoskeletal (problems). They are having some knee pain, back pain, neck pain and they are more of chronic problems. So they benefit (from the service), because they come for a short consultation and take home some exercises which they can follow up. So it is a complement for those residents who are residing in this block and around this area.
Tzu Chi Physiotherapist, Vinoth ：See you on Thursday
People easily neglect minor ailments, thus delaying the needed treatment. The healthcare information services at the Tzu Chi eldercare centres allow the elderly to keep track of their physical conditions, which greatly helps to safeguard their health.
