Supporting ageing in communities: St Luke's ElderCare opens new robotics rehabilitation centre in Bukit Batok, brings technologically advanced therapy closer to home

Singapore, 5 July 2024 – Equipped virtually with cannons and assisted by a robotic arm, an elder opens fire at a pirate ship. This is part of his upper limb rehabilitation therapy after suffering from a stroke. Steps away, an elder is relearning to walk, with the help of robot-assisted therapy. All these are taking place in a rehabilitation centre located in the elders’ neighbourhood. This is how St Luke’s ElderCare (SLEC) is re-visioning its day rehabilitation centres.

This equipment is a robotic-assisted device that helps with upper limb neurological rehabilitation.

Enhancing Residents’ Accessibility to Advanced Robotics Therapy

Today, SLEC celebrated its official opening of the SLEC Day Rehabilitation Centre @ Bukit Batok Central with Guest-of-Honour, Mr Murali Pillai, Minister of State for Ministry of Law and Ministry of Transport & Adviser to Bukit Batok Grassroots Organisations, gracing the event.

The new SLEC day rehabilitation centre located at Block 229 Bukit Batok East Avenue 3, brings advanced robotics therapy closer to home. Currently, the use of advanced robotics in rehabilitation is largely exclusive to hospitals and institutions. These technologies will also enable SLEC to serve elders with more complex needs, allowing residents to get the help they need in the community.

Transforming Residents’ Experience in Rehabilitation

Robotics equipment enhances rehabilitation effectiveness with stimulation and precise movement assistance, and offers an enjoyable experience through virtual reality and gamification elements. This approach addresses challenges such as discomfort during injury recovery, potential frustration from prolonged rehabilitation periods, and loss of interest in repetitive exercises. By integrating fun and game elements, we aim to motivate elders to actively participate and work steadily toward their recovery.

Advanced robotics in rehabilitation also helps to reduce physical strain on therapists by eliminating the need for manual patient support during walking. This enables therapists to focus more on the client and the therapy itself.

Robot-assisted therapy enables effective and intensive training for the clients, and also reduces the physical strain on therapists. 

Adjunct Associate Professor (Dr) Kenny Tan, Chief Executive Officer of St Luke’s ElderCare said “Our goal is to support ageing in communities by leveraging advanced technology and robotics, alongside personalised rehabilitation plans by our therapists.  We want to ensure as many elders as possible can access the care they need conveniently and comfortably, close to home.” 

圣路加乐龄关怀总裁医生兼任副教授，陈万隆说 : “我们的目标是通过利用先进技术和机器人技术以及我们的治疗师的个性化康复计划来支持我们的年长者在社区内安享晚年。 我们希望可以让更多的年长者，在住家附近接受方便和舒适的康复治疗护理。” 

Transforming Community Care through Leveraging Technology & Collaborations  

The adoption of technology and robotics is part of SLEC’s strategy to transform community care, to better serve Singapore’s ageing population.  SLEC has invested over $1.5 million to bring advanced robotics equipment to the community.  On top of the newly completed Bukit Batok Central Centre, which will be operational from July 2024 onwards, SLEC also has two other specialised day rehabilitation centres – Salem Centre in Yishun and Active Ageing Centre (Care) @ Northshore, which started operations last year.  

These three centres cater to the different clusters in Singapore, aligning with the nation’s public healthcare system.  The SLEC Salem Centre and SLEC Active Ageing Centre (Care) @ Northshore will cater to the Central and East clusters respectively.  The newly launched SLEC Bukit Batok Central Centre will primarily serve the West cluster. 

SLEC runs its trademarked I-Shall programme in all three centres.  I-Shall™ programme is a comprehensive stroke rehabilitation programme developed by SLEC’s multi-disciplinary team of physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and speech therapists.  It focuses on restoring and maintaining upper limb and hand function, and the ability to walk, speak, play, and work.  By doing so, the programme provides holistic care that not only improves the elders’ functional conditions but also enhances their independence and community engagement capabilities.  

On top of leveraging technology and robotics, SLEC also seeks to transform community care with our community partners.  Such collaboration is particularly important in meeting the needs of elders who require services from multiple providers.  In Bukit Batok town, we have established partnerships with Community Care providers in the vicinity of the new Bukit Batok Central Centre, including St Luke’s Hospital and Fei Yue Community Service.  The collaborations have allowed us to offer the elders a seamless care journey and a continuum of care, from active ageing to senior care centres and nursing home services.   

Moving Forward  

Moving forward, SLEC will continue to leverage technology and build strategic alliances to support ageing in place.  To better serve the West region, in the pipeline is also SLEC’s third Nursing Home, SLEC Residence @ Jelapang, slated to open in 2026. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT

Hazel Chua
Assistant Director
Communication & Fundraising
St Luke’s ElderCare
+65 9692 4678
hazelsichua@slec.org.sg

Tan Yee Lynn
Assistant Manager
Communication & Fundraising
St Luke’s ElderCare
+65 9222 1500
yeelynntan@slec.org.sg

ABOUT ST LUKE’S ELDERCARE 

St Luke’s ElderCare (SLEC) is a Christian healthcare provider committed to meeting the evolving needs of the community, excelling in social care and clinical excellence for ageing well. Our ecosystem of care comprises centre, community, residential and home-based services. 

SLEC’s range of centre-based services includes dementia day care, maintenance day care, and community rehabilitation including pulmonary, musculoskeletal, physiotherapy, speech, and occupational therapy. Community-based services offer active ageing and wellness programmes, diabetic screenings, dietetic services, and nursing care. Home-based services provide dietetic, medical, nursing, and therapy services. Residential-based services provide long-term care for those that require daily living and nursing care. 

In FY2023/2024, SLEC had the privilege to serve over 15,000 elders through our services. We operate 18 Senior Care and Rehabilitation Centres, 12 Active Ageing Centres (Care) and one Residence (nursing home), serving mainly older persons regardless of race, language and religion. 

Incorporated in 1999, SLEC is a registered charity and an Institution of Public Character.  

Find out more at www.slec.org.sg or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Linkedin.