**Singapore** – In a heartfelt journey of resilience, kindergarten teacher Reema Bhatti experienced a sudden health scare while preparing her young students for an outing last May. Stricken by unexpected symptoms of a stroke, Bhatti managed to receive timely medical attention, leading to a successful recovery that allowed her to return to teaching after just six weeks. Grateful for her colleagues' support—who rallied around her to ensure her well-being—she has since become an inspiring figure in her community.

Yet, Bhatti’s experience underlines a larger issue facing many stroke survivors. To address this, Singapore has launched a pioneering initiative named Reintegration for Stroke Community Endeavour (Rise), aimed at empowering up to 1,000 patients with mild to moderate strokes—and their caregivers—to take charge of their recovery journey.

Announced by Janil Puthucheary, Senior Minister of State for Health, at the recently held 20th Singapore International Stroke Conference, this $1.4 million program funded by the Temasek Foundation is set to roll out across Singapore General Hospital and Tan Tock Seng Hospital by 2025.

What Makes Rise Different?

Rise is designed to provide comprehensive and tailored support for stroke survivors, addressing three essential areas of care:

1. **Enhanced Care Coordination:** Stroke patients will receive continuous support after hospital discharge, focusing on issues like spasticity, incontinence, and cognition troubles, alongside guidance on medications and lifestyle changes.

2. **Structured Training for Caregivers:** A vital aspect of recovery involves ensuring that caregivers receive appropriate training to support their loved ones effectively.

3. **The STroke Empowerment Programme (Step):** This innovative approach aims to enable stroke survivors to actively engage in their recovery, enhancing their quality of life through personalized recovery plans.

A Call for Community Support

With stroke cases in Singapore rising significantly—an alarming 58% increase from 2011 to 2021—it's clear that the initiative is timely. Stroke is recognized as the fourth leading cause of death in the city-state, and with an aging population, early intervention and recovery support are more critical than ever.

Dr. Deidre Anne de Silva, associate professor and lead of the Rise initiative, emphasizes the sudden impact a stroke can have, likening it to a seismic shift in one's life. “The adjustment period can be arduous; it requires holistic support from both physical and emotional caregivers,” she noted.

Join the Revolution in Stroke Rehabilitation!

The program will also feature a Stroke Liaison Officer, a dedicated point of contact who will tailor follow-up plans and connect individuals with necessary community resources, ensuring that their unique needs are met. The initiative aims to cultivate a supportive network that not only mitigates the risk of recurring strokes but also helps survivors navigate Singapore's often complex healthcare landscape.

As Singapore takes these vital steps towards improving post-stroke care, families and caregivers are being offered a beacon of hope. With plans to gather data from this pilot program, officials hope to scale the initiative further, benefiting an even larger segment of the community in the fight against stroke recovery.

Stay tuned as Rise transforms lives—ensuring that together, we can make a difference and encourage stroke survivors to reclaim control over their health!