As dementia becomes an increasing global concern, especially in aging populations, the 2024 Commonwealth Dementia Report provides critical insights into how we can address the growing burden of dementia through both prevention and care. These global findings, combined with innovative local initiatives in Malaysia and Penang's vision to become an age-friendly city, offer a pathway for improving dementia care and healthy aging in our region. SITI Network, through its collaborative efforts, is proud to support and work alongside several key organizations dedicated to this cause.
Key Insights from the Commonwealth Dementia Report
The Commonwealth Dementia Report emphasizes the importance of:
Raising public awareness to reduce stigma and promote early diagnosis.
Implementing preventive measures such as promoting physical activity, social engagement, and cognitive exercises to lower dementia risk.
Creating dementia-friendly communities where individuals living with dementia are supported and included.
Training caregivers and healthcare professionals to provide specialized care for dementia patients.
These global recommendations underscore the need for a multi-faceted, community-driven approach to dementia care, which is reflected in various initiatives across Malaysia and Penang.
Local Initiatives in Malaysia
1. Dementia Café in Ipoh
The Dementia Café in Ipoh serves as a model for dementia care by offering a safe, engaging space where individuals living with dementia, along with their families and caregivers, can gather. This initiative creates an inclusive environment for social interaction and cognitive stimulation, helping to slow the progression of dementia.
2. Dementia-Friendly Spaces at Atria Shopping Gallery
The Atria Shopping Gallery in Selangor is one of the first dementia-friendly malls in the Asia-Pacific region. It provides regular health and wellness programs for seniors and their caregivers, demonstrating how commercial spaces can be transformed into supportive environments for those living with dementia.
Penang’s Local Efforts in Dementia Care and Healthy Aging
Penang is home to several organizations that are playing crucial roles in promoting dementia care and supporting the elderly. SITI Network is proud to support these initiatives, working alongside them to create a comprehensive support system for the community:
Penang Dementia Association (PDA): PDA plays a pivotal role in organizing the annual Dementia Awareness Day, which draws significant attention to dementia care and prevention. Additionally, PDA supports the monthly Memory Café—run by SITI Network—where people living with dementia, caregivers, and retirees engage in meaningful activities, fostering connection and support.
Bagan Eldercare Centre: This center is known for its innovative approach to managing behavioral challenges in people living with dementia. Through workshops for caregivers, Bagan Eldercare empowers families with the knowledge and tools needed to care for their loved ones, offering practical and emotional support.
D'Home Mental Health Association: D'Home continues to be a cornerstone in providing mental health services, including support for those living with dementia. Their dedication to reducing mental health stigma and providing accessible services aligns closely with SITI Network’s goals.
Positive Philosophy Association Malaysia (PPAM): This vibrant association unites a dynamic group of young individuals to promote mental well-being and foster a culture of positivity within society. By engaging both young people and seniors, they work to build a community grounded in optimism and resilience. Recently, they organized RUN Tomo Penang 2024, a charity run aimed at raising awareness about dementia and promoting intergenerational bonding, highlighting the importance of community support in dementia care.
Rose Charities Malaysia: Rose Charities actively engages retirees through social activities, helping them stay mentally and physically active. Their approach promotes social inclusion and cognitive engagement, both essential for preventing dementia.
The Healthcare Professional Efforts in Dementia Care and Healthy Aging
Malaysian Healthy Aging Society (MHAS): MHAS connects healthcare professionals and activists to promote healthy aging. Their focus on physical and cognitive well-being for the aging population complements SITI Network’s mission of empowering retirees through lifelong learning.
Malaysian Society of Geriatric Medicine (MSGM): MSGM ensures high standards in geriatric care by providing specialized training to healthcare practitioners. Their efforts to improve dementia care through professional education are invaluable in creating a well-rounded healthcare system for the elderly.
Penang’s Vision: Becoming an Age-Friendly City
The Penang State Government has also committed to transforming Penang into an age-friendly city, ensuring that seniors have access to the services, healthcare, and social engagement opportunities they need to age well. This vision aligns closely with the Commonwealth Dementia Report's call for creating dementia-friendly communities, further strengthening Penang's role as a leader in elderly care.
Challenges and Support Needed
To expand dementia care and preventive measures in Penang, several challenges must be addressed. These challenges, combined with the support and collaboration of organizations like those mentioned above, will determine the success of our initiatives.
1. Space and Accessibility
Securing accessible, affordable venues for activities like Memory Cafés and workshops is essential, as many seniors face mobility challenges.
Proposed Solution: Partnering with community centers, libraries, and businesses to provide reduced-cost or sponsored venues will ensure that programs remain accessible without incurring prohibitive costs.
2. Compensated Manpower
To maintain quality and consistency, key roles like facilitators and administrators need to be compensated, even if much of the support comes from volunteers.
Proposed Solution: Introducing modest fees for certain classes or activities and securing grants or sponsorships will help cover operational costs and compensate staff, ensuring the sustainability of the programs.
3. Cost of Running Programs
Operational costs, including materials, refreshments, and facilitator fees, can strain resources and limit the frequency and reach of programs.
Proposed Solution: Using a hybrid funding model that combines participant fees, sponsorships, and government grants will maintain affordability while ensuring financial sustainability.
4. Centralized Coordination
A lack of centralized coordination between organizations can lead to duplicating services and inefficient use of resources.
Proposed Solution: Creating a shared platform for dementia care providers in Penang to collaborate and coordinate efforts will ensure more effective use of resources and a more comprehensive approach to dementia care in the region.
Conclusion
Penang’s vision of becoming an age-friendly city, coupled with the Commonwealth Dementia Report's recommendations and the efforts of local organizations, serves as individual pieces of a larger puzzle in the journey toward comprehensive dementia care and healthy aging.
When put together, these initiatives—ranging from raising awareness to empowering caregivers, and from creating dementia-friendly spaces to fostering intergenerational connections—form a cohesive, sustainable model for elderly care.
The NGO, private and public groups need to link these critical components. By addressing the challenges of accessibility, manpower, program funding, and coordination, we can ensure that the collective effort of these organizations creates a unified, impactful solution. Together, we are piecing together a future where dementia care and healthy aging are fully integrated into the fabric of Penang, making it a model for communities around the world.
By SITI Network Founder, Li Li
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