“My left arm is weak and it is not easy for me or my wife to push the wheelchair. My wife feels stressed each time we have to go out. It was not easy for the both of us.”
Mr Mohd Yasin, 64, suffered a stroke in 2020 leaving him confined to a wheelchair. He is unable to move his left limbs and relies solely on his wife who is his primary caregiver to take care of his needs. Mr Yasin has two children who live with him in Ang Mo Kio. After his stroke, Mr Yasin underwent rehabilitative therapy at a hospital in 2020. He also suffers from other chronic illnesses.
Mr Yasin used to work as a seaman for over two decades and as a ferry captain before losing his job due to his stroke. He was also an outdoor person who enjoyed fishing and biking. Losing his mobility overnight was hard on him and the family.
TOUCH Community Services’ occupational therapist assessed his needs when he attended therapy sessions at TOUCH Day Rehabilitation Centre at TOUCHpoint@AMK 433 in 2021. As Mr Yasin needs help with wheelchair transfers and to move around outdoors, the occupational therapist recommended a motorised wheelchair to facilitate his movement. This was a big relief to his wife as she is of a smaller-built and finds it a physical challenge to wheel him around.
“My left arm is weak and it is not easy for me or my wife to push the wheelchair. My wife feels stressed each time we have to go out. It was not easy for the both of us,” said Mr Yasin.
Caption: Mr Yasin (left) with physiotherapist Ms Joan Muk
Caption: With the help of TOUCH's therapy team, Mr Yasin feels more motivated to improve his mobility
Empowering seniors to feel confident
TOUCH's occupational therapist arranged for Mr Yasin to try out the motorised wheelchair, sourced for funding and trained him how to use it on his own. The financial subsidies from the Senior Mobility and Enabling Fund (SMF) also helped to alleviate caregiver stress in view of the family’s financial situation with the son as the sole breadwinner.
“I am so thankful I could receive help in sourcing for funding otherwise we will worry more. I am no longer working and I was not sure then how much it would cost me to have a motorised wheelchair,” added Mr Yasin.
Both Mr Yasin and his wife now enjoy a better quality of life. Mr Yasin is able to go out independently using his motorised wheelchair to meet friends, and for his medical appointments and therapy sessions.
“It is so much easier now taking public transport. I have more control over my movements and it’s good for me and my family,” said Mr Yasin.
From 14 February 2022, seniors will benefit from the enhanced SMF and the Assistive Technology Fund (ATF). For more enquiries, please call TOUCH Care Line at 6804 6555.