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your guide to intermediate and long-term care (iltc)

iltc and youEverything you need to know about Intermediate and Long-Term Care

year 2011 issue 01

p1ConTEnTs

Next Step is a publication by the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC).The views and opinions expressed or implied in Next Step do not necessarily reflect those of the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) or its directors or editorial staff. All information is correct at time of print.

PUBLIsHER Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) www.aic.sg

CHIEF EDIToR Andy Seet

sEConD EDIToR Cindy Lee

WRITERs Terrie V. Gutierriez, Li Yuemin, Diana Othman, Anthon Javier, Will Chin

ART DIRECToR Leslie Neo

PHoToGRAPHER Sun Guangwei

For all editorial queries and feedback, please email to nextstep@aic.sg

Designed by Paperclip Communications Pte Ltd, Printed by KHL Printing Co Pte Ltd

MICA (P) 173/11/2010

contents3 in Focus

intermediate and long-term care and you

7 in your shoesgetting quality care at Home

9 comforting touchthe relentless fighter

11 Pro FilesHealthcare Heroes

15 gotta Have itroll with comfort

14 ask sir-care-a-lot

About Agency for Integrated Care (AIC)

The Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) is set up by the Ministry of Health (MOH) to oversee, coordinate and facilitate all efforts in care integration. Our mission is to achieve best health outcomes for our patients by empowering clients and coordinating access to appropriate care, enable stakeholders to strengthen the primary and community care sectors, and enhancing collaboration to create a well-connected healthcare system. For more information, please visit www.aic.sg.

p2MEssAGEs

welcome Message

Dear Readers,

On behalf of all of us at the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC), I would like to welcome you to this first issue of Next Step. The AIC has been set up to help you access the healthcare services you or your loved ones may need over time. We aim to be your trusted partner so that your long term care needs are met in a timely and cost-effective way.

This Next Step publication is one of AIC’s ways to reach out to you and to those who need continuing care services in the community. What do we hope Next Step will achieve? Well, first and most importantly, we want to provide you with useful information and resources to help you make better decisions on your care needs. Second, this will give you greater confidence and understanding of what the community healthcare and primary healthcare sectors can provide and help you improve your health and well-being. Next Step will also provide useful tips and advice to you so that you can participate in and manage your own health and well-being. In short, we hope that Next Step will be all about YOU. So do read on and enjoy life!

Thank you.

Dr Jason CheahChief Executive OfficerAgency for Integrated Care

N avigating the healthcare system can be a daunting process. “What are my care options?” “Where can I go and who can I approach for help?” In short, what is my Next Step?

Next Step brings you comprehensive information to empower you in making well-informed healthcare decisions for you and your loved ones.

Our first section, In Focus highlights current issues of intermediate and long-term care (ILTC). In this first issue, gain a better understanding of ILTC, the various options available and how to go about choosing the best-suited option.

In Your shoes and Comforting Touch showcase real-life experiences of people receiving as well as delivering care. Through their stories, I hope those of you who are facing similar circumstances will find strength, comfort and useful tips to help you.

Working selflessly to ensure that every patient receives sufficient care is a group of dedicated professionals. The Pro Files features these unsung heroes and their challenging work which may even inspire you to join the sector!

If you have a question on ILTC, Ask sir Care-a-Lot. Want to know what, where and how to get the products you need to care for your loved ones who have difficulty moving around? Check out Gotta Have It! This issue showcases a range of wheelchairs for various budgets and needs.

I hope you will find this quarterly interesting and useful. Do provide us with your valuable feedback on how we can improve by emailing us at nextstep@aic.sg. Take the next step with us and we promise to give the best information needed to care for your loved ones.

AnDY sEETChief Editor

editor's note

p3In FoCUs

ike many developed countries around the world, Singapore has a growing grey population. By 2030, the number of residents aged 65 years old and above is expected

to triple from 300,000 to 900,000, according to the “Report on the Ageing Population” by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports. With this ageing profile, the demand for longer periods of care will increase. More people will require continued treatment and support upon hospital discharge. The demand for aged care facilities such as nursing homes will also increase. This is where ILTC comes in.

ILTC refers to intermediate and long-term treatment and care for those who are disabled or suffer from long term and recurring illnesses, and thus are unable to care for themselves for long periods of time.

L

intermediate and long-term care and you

The term “intermediate and long-term care” (ILTC) may be unfamiliar to many people, but it remains important as a person ages and requires continuing care. In this first issue of Next Step, we shed some light on ILTC and the various care options available.BY Diana Othman & anDy Seet

p4In FoCUs

by 2030, the number of residents aged 65 years old and above is expected to triple from 300,000 to 900,000

There are Two caTegories of iLTc services:

1. resiDeNTiaL-BaseD services are for patients who do not need acute care services such as surgery at the hospital, but are

unable to care for themselves or be cared for in their own homes. These services include:

CoMMUnITY HosPITAL

Provides the kind of care available at acute hospitals. It caters to those who require short-term inpatient stay for nursing, treatment and recovery.

nURsInG HoME

Provides long-term skilled nursing care for patients. Typically, these patients do not have families or caregivers to look after them at home, or the caregiver is unable to provide the level of nursing care required. Some nursing homes provide care for people with special needs like dementia and people with stabilised psychiatric conditions.

CHRonIC sICk FACILITY

A specialised nursing home that provides care for patients with complicated medical conditions and require a greater level of care and medical supervision.

REsPITE CARE

A form of short-term supervised care that allows some rest for caregivers after a long period of caregiving.

HosPICE InPATIEnT CARE

A specialised end-of-life care for patients and their families when the patient’s terminal illness no longer responds to treatment. This is suitable for patients whose conditions have become too difficult to care for at home and have less than three months to live.

coMMUNiTY-BaseD services are suitable for patients who prefer to stay home or live in more familiar surroundings but need help in being cared for. These include:

HoME MEDICAL sERvICEs

Provides ongoing medical care to homebound elderly through regular home visits.

HoME nURsInG sERvICEs

For homebound or bedridden patients who require skilled nursing care, such as wound dressing, injections, change of feeding tube and urinary catheter, as well as blood pressure and blood sugar levels checkups.

HoME HELP sERvICEs

Provides a host of services such as provision of meals, laundry, housekeeping, assistance in personal grooming and escorting services.

HosPICE HoME CARE sERvICEs

This service reaches out to the terminally ill homebound patients who require medical and nursing care to control symptoms and reduce their pain.

HoME THERAPY sERvICEs

For homebound patients who require services such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy.

Centre-based services: Patients go to these centres during the day,

usually on a regular basis.

Home-based services: Healthcare services are provided within the

homes of the patients.

DAY REHABILITATIon CEnTRE

Provides services such as physiotherapy and occupational therapy for patients who suffered from stroke, fractures or have other illnesses such as heart conditions. This service aims to restore, improve and/or prevent the worsening of functional abilities of the patients through customised programmes of exercise and training by therapists.

DEMEnTIA DAY CARE CEnTRE

Offers a structured day care programme to care for patients who suffer from dementia.

PsYCHIATRIC DAY CARE CEnTRE

Trains patients to do a variety of tasks in a work-stimulated environment. Patients are also guided in domestic, cleaning, social and recreational activities.

HosPICE DAY CARE CEnTRE

Provides nursing and medical care to manage terminally ill patients’ pain, symptoms and medical prescriptions. This service also assists patients and their families in coping with death, grief and loss.

p5In FoCUs

For a comprehensive list of ILTC service providers, refer to the ILTC map in the tear-out sheet attached at the back of the magazine.

Choosing the best-suited care option can help you achieve better health outcomes. To find the best-suited care option, follow these three simple steps:

Assess what is best-suited for your needs. Choose the option that caters to your care needs best, which can be assessed according to your living arrangement and your ability to perform daily routine activities. You can carry out an informal, basic assessment online at www.aic.sg.

s T e p 1

Locate a service provider near you. For a list of service providers near you, use the Eldercare Service Locator at www.aic.sg.

s T e p 2

Paying for your ILTC. Check if you qualify for any government assistance schemes to pay for your ILTC. Besides Medisave, Medishield and Eldershield, other government subsidies are also available.

Choosing the best-suited care option ensures that you or your loved one is at the right place for the right type of treatment, and at the right price.

s T e p 3

3 s i M p L e s T e p schoosiNg The BesT-sUiTeD care opTioN

p6In FoCUs

what are my care options

t felt like the whole world rested on Samsiah Saifi’s shoulders. After her husband, Mohd Juana Nan, 45, suffered a stroke that left him mute, half his body paralysed and bedridden, she found herself

becoming his main caretaker and the family’s sole breadwinner. The 50-year-old factory worker even had to find time to search for a nursing home for Mohd Juana after he was discharged from hospital. “I had to do everything for him,” she said of her husband, a former security guard, who now cannot walk or speak and is only able to communicate with simple hand gestures.

Caring for the ailing man at home was a struggle every day. Samsiah juggled looking after Mohd Juana and her job as a production operator at an electronics factory where she works five days a week to support the family. She had to wipe Mohd Juana clean, change his diapers and prepare sandwiches and kueh for him to eat every morning before rushing off to work at 6am. When Samsiah returned in the afternoon, she then fed her husband proper meals, cleaned him up and gave him his medication. She was only able to thoroughly wash Mohd Juana once every two weeks when her brother dropped by to help carry his 65kg frame to the bathroom. “Sometimes by the time I come home from work, he would have soiled himself and the whole flat

By his side: Samsiah and her bedridden husband, Mohd Juana.

p7In YoUR sHoEs

I

getting quality careat HomeUnable to speak or walk, stroke patient Mohd Juana Nan settled into home care with the help of his care coordinator. BY Diana Othman & CinDy Lee

would smell bad. I had to do everything and I am just one person. I was so stressed out, I cried all the time,” recalled Samsiah.

But life at home improved once senior care coordinator Kan Hong Qing got in touch with the couple after Mohd Juana was discharged from the National University Hospital (NUH) in April 2010. As part of a team of care coordinators jointly managed by NUH and the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC), Hong Qing meets patients and their families to guide and facilitate patients’ transition from a hospital to a suitable intermediate long-term care (ILTC) facility or service.

In Mohd Juana’s case, where the patient needed help settling into home care, Hong Qing visited the family regularly to advise and refer them to the appropriate home care services. Hong Qing also assessed the home environment, checked his condition and medication, observed how Samsiah was coping and advised her on how to care for her husband. “I assess the home situation to see if there are any issues

it's easier for him to stay with the family now because professionals are looking in on him from time to time.– samsiah saifi

p8In YoUR sHoEs

and help resolve them. My role is to support and coach the patient’s family so that they are able to manage,” explained Hong Qing.

As Mohd Juana now receives better care, the quality of life at home is picking up thanks to Hong Qing’s efforts. “She really helped me a lot! At first, my husband had to sleep on a mattress on the floor. She told us to get a hospital bed and now it’s easier to care for him,” said Samsiah. As Mohd Juana recuperated, Hong Qing continued to advise Samsiah on other care options available to them. For instance, Hong Qing referred him to a private home medical service, and since September, a doctor has been coming regularly to check up on him. A nurse visits the family since October as well. Such services empower Samsiah to better care for her husband at home and the couple now prefers that Mohd Juana stays at home instead of a nursing home. “It’s easier for him to stay with the family now because professionals are looking in on him from time to time,” Samsiah said happily.

Lending A Hand

Care Coordinators are part of the Aged Care Transition (ACTION) team, a four-year project funded by the government. Care Coordinators are stationed at hospitals to do discharge planning and arrange appropriate community services for the patient and caregiver at home.

kAn HonG QInGSenior Care CoordinatorAs the first ever care-coordinator to have entered the scene two years ago, Hong Qing has helped as many as 260 patients under the joint management of AIC and the National University Health System. She believes being a care coordinator is very meaningful as she gets to make an impact on a person’s life by helping them.

Taking care of a person with Alzheimer’s Disease is tough. Mr Yong, whose wife suffers from the disease, opens up about her illness, everyday challenges and how he fights to be there for her through it all. By Chin Wei-Lien &

CinDy Lee

r Yong, 68, a former company managing director, never thought he would have to deal with Alzheimer’s

Disease until his wife showed symptoms of the condition. “She would forget where she placed her earrings and how to write cheques,” recalled Mr Yong. A visit to a neurologist in 2004

M

the relentless

fighter

revealed that Mrs Yong was in the early stages of Alzheimer’s Disease.

According to the Ministry of Health website, there are over 20,000 dementia patients in Singapore. Alzheimer’s Disease is one of the most common forms of dementia. It causes both short- and long-term memory loss, as well as behavioural changes like mood swings, feelings of confusion and delusions.

Over time, not only did Mrs Yong become dependent on others for simple activities such as eating

Mr Yong, 68, former company managing director and Mrs Yong

p9CoMFoRTInG ToUCH

and bathing, she also became easily agitated and confused, which caused outbursts late at night. As a result, Mr Yong became constantly stressed and frustrated. “When the stress became too much to bear, I would take medicine to reduce it,” revealed Mr Yong.

Reading about Alzheimer’s Disease and gaining a solid understanding of the condition better prepared him to care for his wife. He also sought advice from his family doctor who is a good friend. “Reading up on the Internet and talking to our doctor went a long way towards helping me cope.”

Mr Yong also took time off to meet friends for a round of golf or dinner and drinks. “Taking care of someone is a full-time job. However, all caregivers must take a break. If not, they might suffer a nervous breakdown,” said Mr Yong.

Despite the difficulties, Mr Yong is determined to take care of his wife as best as he can. “I tried hiring part-time nurses, but I felt that, as her husband, I have the responsibility to take care of her myself,” he said. “One word – love. I love my wife enough to devote myself to caring for her as long as I can.”

taking care of someone is a full-time job. However, all caregivers must take a break. if not, they might suffer a nervous breakdown.– Mr yong

Mr and Mrs Yong on holiday in Western Australia in 2006.

Talk to a trusted friend, psychologist or counsellor about your problems so as to relieve stress.

Surround yourself with supportive family members, relatives and friends so that they can lend a listening ear or extend a helping hand.

Place a card with the patient’s personal information inside his or her wallet, in case he or she gets lost.

Remove items around the house that could harm the patient or the people around the patient.

Learn more about Alzheimer’s Disease and how to take care of Alzheimer’s patients at the Singapore Alzheimer’s Disease Association (ADA). ADA services include caregiver support programmes such as:

- Counselling - Training and referral

To find out more, visit the Singapore Alzheimer’s Disease Association website at www.alzheimers.org.sg.

Tips For Caregivers of Alzheimer's Disease Patients

p10CoMFoRTInG ToUCH

Tan Lai Hong, 40, Deputy Director of the Care Integration Division, AIC

Healthcare HeroesWith passion driving them, these unsung heroes devote their lives to caring for others.By antOn D. Javier & CinDy Lee

The career progression of Tan Lai Hong, 40, Deputy Director of the Care Integration Division, Agency for Integrated Care (AIC), shows there are career prospects and various opportunities available in the ILTC sector. Lai Hong started out as a nurse at the Toa Payoh hospital 15 years ago. Since then, he has taken on various roles in the acute and primary care sector and now supports the Director of the Care Integration Division in driving AIC’s strategies and managing the division’s affairs. “Healthcare is an exciting field to be in and it keeps me alert. This industry has taught me important lessons which have allowed me to grow and succeed in my profession,” said Lai Hong.

The keY To sUccess Experience has taught Lai Hong that empathy and respect are important in order to succeed in healthcare. He shared that one needs to relate to patients and their families on a

personal level, believing that this keen sense of empathy then enables a healthcare industry professional to be respectful and mindful of others around them. “As you develop these qualities, people will look to you as someone they can trust. Being trustworthy is important in this sector and it will allow you to become successful naturally,” said Lai Hong.

worDs of wisDoMFor those who are keen to join the ILTC sector, Lai Hong advised: “There are many challenges in dealing with the lives of others which cannot be solved in days, months or even years. In this case, a good sense of humour and a positive attitude will help anyone get through it.”

he intermediate and long-term care (ILTC) sector has about 1,000 nurses and over 3,000 nursing aides and healthcare assistants caring for the complex needs of the ill and the elderly. While this industry is not as popular as marketing or finance, it provides a satisfaction that no amount of money

can match. Next Step speaks to three industry professionals about their work and the meaningful experiences they have had.

The corporaTe achiever

being trustworthy is important in this sector and it will allow you to become successful naturally.– tan lai Hong

p11PRo FILEs

T

For 70-year old Joshua Lee, Nurse Manager at All Saints Home, being a nurse is all about building meaningful relationships with the people in their care. “Our job gives us the ability to make a difference in the lives of the elderly,” he said. A caregiver for 47 years, Joshua values the connections he has made with people. “Three years ago, I had a patient who told me that he wanted to live out the rest of his life at All Saints Home. This touched me and made me realise how much I connect with them.” Connections such as this are what drive Joshua to continue with his job. “I don’t think I'll be giving it up any time soon. I need to stay connected and engaged with my patients.”

heaLThcare over The YearsHaving been in the industry for so long, Joshua has witnessed the evolution of Singapore’s healthcare firsthand and is excited about the direction that it is taking. “Nursing is evolving. It’s an exciting field. Before, caregiving was mostly about a handful of registered nurses looking after the sick and the elderly. Today, it focuses on holistic care, professionalism and staff development through training and constant education,” he said.

a worThY caUseEven though personal joys like weekends and holidays get sacrificed in this field, Joshua believes that making an impression in someone’s life makes it all worthwhile. “Medical attention and medicines merely ease physical pain and suffering,” said Joshua. “But it is the nurse’s compassion that heals the battered body and spirit of a patient. Seeing them at ease makes the hardships worth it.”

before, caregiving was mostly about a handful of registered nurses looking after the sick and the elderly. today, it focuses on holistic care, professionalism and staff development through training and constant education.– Joshua lee

Joshua Lee, 70, nurse Manager, All saints Home

The veTeraN

p12PRo FILEs

Safiah Shaikh Omaar Mattar, 58, was an operating theatre nurse before becoming a nurse in the ILTC sector. It has been eight years since then and she is now a Nurse Manager at All Saints Home, a role she vastly prefers. “I feel wonderful,” she said. Safiah takes delights in how other nurses and patients look to her as a second mother. “The fact that these people look to me as someone who provides comfort gives me the strength to do my best. Some of my patients cannot communicate very well. Instead, they grab my hand and look at me with eyes filled with gratitude. In that moment, I know they’re thankful for what I’ve done for them,” she shared.

cLeariNg The air aBoUT iLTcWhile the profession has many dedicated professionals like Safiah, Lai Hong and Joshua, the sector is plagued by misconceptions that hamper the growth of the ILTC sector. One of the most common misconceptions that Safiah does not agree with is that nurses in nursing homes are not as qualified as those in hospitals. To this, Safiah said,

“Nurses in nursing homes go through the same tests as those in hospitals, making them equally qualified.” Another mistaken belief is that nursing homes is a “dumping ground” for elderly folks who are nearing their end-of-life. “Nursing homes offer love and care for those who have none,” said Safiah.

To Be reMeMBereD For her part, Safiah certainly takes pride in what she does and tries to give her patients the best care she can. “I would like my patients to remember me as someone who tried her best in making their lives as comfortable as possible in times of need.”

safiah shaikh omaar Mattar, 58, nurse Manager, All saints Home

the fact that these people (patients) look to me as someone who provides comfort gives me the strength to do my best. some of my patients cannot communicate very well. instead, they grab my hand and look at me with eyes filled with gratitude.– safiah shaikh omaar Mattar

p13PRo FILEs

The career swiTcher

After surgery, patients usually require some post-operative care or rehabilitation to help them recover better. In your mother’s case, she would probably benefit from further rehabilitation; a service which a community hospital offers.

Community hospitals provide continuing care to patients who are well enough to be discharged from acute hospitals – the type of hospital where your mum’s operation was done – but are still not ready to return home. Typically, patients stay in the community hospital for about two weeks to a month to recover and regain their functional abilities.

There are currently seven community hospitals in Singapore such as Ang Mo Kio-Thye Hwa Kuan Hospital, Bright Vision Hospital, Ren Ci Community Hospital, St Andrew’s Community Hospital and St Luke’s Hospital.

For more information on community hospitals, please visit www.aic.sg.

My mother is hospitalised for a leg operation and she needs assistance in bathing

and going to the toilet after the procedure. We have been informed that she will be discharged this week and the doctor has referred her to a community hospital. How is a community hospital different from the hospital my mum is in now?

Q

anSWer...

Sir Care-A-Lot is here to answer any of your queries about

intermediate and long-term care (ILTC). If you have a question, send it to nextstep@aic.sg.

It depends on the needs of your husband and you as the caregiver. Some Day Rehabilitation Centres (DRCs) provide full-day services, which is especially useful for family members who need to work and are thus unable to look after their loved ones during the day. This also provides time off for you as you may need some time to rest or run errands while your husband is at the centre. If your husband is attending the full-day session, he will receive therapy sessions, group activities and other programmes that are planned for the day. Also, if your husband is attending the full-day session, meals will usually be provided. Some DRCs provide half-day care or rehabilitation services by sessions for their clients. For such cases, each client receives therapy for half a day or intensive therapy for about an hour before returning home. Rehabilitation services by sessions are subject to availability at the DRCs.

To choose the best-suited care option for your husband, you may refer to page 6 or visit www.aic.sg.

Does my husband need to stay at the Day Rehabilitation Centre the whole day?Q

anSWer...

p14Ask sIR CARE-A-LoT

p15GoTTA HAvE IT

Streamlined, compact and stylish, today’s wheelchairs are fitted with the latest technologies and lightest materials, while packing a punch in the looks department. In our first issue of Next Step, we look at wheelchairs that are designed to give users a helping hand in the most comfortable way possible. BY Li yuemin & CinDy Lee

roll with comfort

M o D e L

Lightweight WheelchairsMany now opt for lightweight wheelchairs as they offer easier movement and can be transported more conveniently. Their frames are usually made from aluminium alloy or stainless steel for lightness and durability. Weighing just 12kg, the hBG23-S by hubang is suitable for users who are always on the move. This foldable model also has a carry handle for easy transportation.

• Price range: $690 to $2,500• Weight limit: 115kg • Frame weight: 20kg• Seat width: 43cm• Seat height: 51cm• Find out more at • www.pharmex.com.sg and www.rehabmart.sg

SpeCS

M o D e L

Recliner WheelchairsThese wheelchairs have backrests that can be adjusted at an angle for comfortable seating while easing pain caused by long hours of sitting. For comfort, consider the DaeF recliner by Karma. With a backrest that can be angled from 90 degrees to 163 degrees, it has an anti-tipping feature for stability. A foldable frame and detachable arm and headrests allow for easy transportation.

21

• Price range: From $180 onwards• Weight limit: 100kg• Frame weight: 12kg• Seat width: 46cm• Seat depth: 40cm• Find out more at • www.rainbowcare.com.sg and • www.progress.com.sg

SpeCS

p16GoTTA HAvE IT

Things To Consider When Buying A Wheelchair

Here are questions you need to ask when choosing a model that fits your needs – at home or elsewhere.

; How wide are the doors in my home or office?

; Are there any tight angles to overcome – for example, does the walkway turn sharply into a room?

; Can the chair fit into the bathroom and will I be able to close the door once the chair is inside?

; How high are the tables in my house or office and will they hinder my wheelchair?

; How high are the shelves that I need to reach?

; Are the surfaces that I need to move on paved, carpeted, tiled or concrete? Are these surfaces flat?

; Will I need my wheelchair to fit into public transportation?

; Can my wheelchair fit into my car boot?

• Weight limit: 100kg• Frame weight: 20kg• Wheelchair width: 59cm• Wheelchair height: 91cm• Contact: resett Sdn Bhd, 8 Jalan abiad 1 taman pelangi, Johor Bahru, Johor, 80400, malaysia Tel: +60-7-3311508

FRoM ACRoss THE BoRDER

For a more affordable option, FS868 steel wheelchair by Foshan Wheelchair only costs RM250 (S$104). It is sold in Johor, Malaysia.

M o D e L

Motorised WheelchairsOften resembling a plush office chair, these are best for users with limited upper-body strength. For speed and comfort, consider models like the p12SX escape SX by heartway. Users can move with ease by controlling a joystick while the suspension in the drive wheel protects the body from bumpy surfaces.

3

• Price range: From $2,400 onwards

• Weight limit: 160kg• Frame weight (with

batteries): 83kg• Wheelchair dimensions:

113cm x 66cm• Find out more at

www.bion-advance.com and www.lifeline.com.sg

SpeCS

SpeCS

• Price range: $3,000 to $12,500• Weight limit: 100kg• Frame weight: 4.4kg without

rear wheels• Available seat width: from 34

to 44cm• Available in fixed rear axle and

adjustable rear axle models• Find out more at

www.dnrwheels.com

SpeCS

M o D e L

sports WheelchairsSuitable for a game of wheelchair basketball or travelling on pavement roads, these wheelchairs are smaller than manual wheelchairs. They are also lightweight for easy manoeuvring. For those with active lifestyles, check out the Quasar by Off.Carr, one of the lightest and strongest wheelchairs in the market. It also has foldaway brakes for total control.

4

p17

A Corporate Social Responsibility initiative by the Agency for Intergrated Care

carelendAR 2011Small GesturesBig Difference

At $10 per carelendAR, sales proceeds will go towards the purchase of small necessities, such as reading glasses, dentures and hearing aids,

to needy elderly patients. These may be small gestures – but collectively, they will go a long way in making a big difference to their lives.

Visit www.aic.sg to order. For queries, call +65 6603 6800 or email to enquiries@aic.sg.

p18

Your GatewaY to IntermedIate and LonG-term Care (ILtC)

Log on to www.aic.sg now!

; Find the best-suited ILtC for you and/or your loved ones in three simple steps

; Locate an ILtC service provider near you

; Get useful tips on caring for your loved ones

; Check out the latest training programmes and upcoming events for caregivers

The AIC website (www.aic.sg) provides information that you need to know about intermediate and long-term care (ILTC) so that you can make well-informed decisions on your healthcare needs. You will be able to:

For more information visit www.aic.sg

Tel: +65 6603 6800 Email: nextstep@aic.sg