Who is a Dementia-Friendly Singapore Partner?
From Awareness to Action: How Dementia-Friendly Partners Bring Positive Impact on the Daily Life of Persons Living with Dementia. It takes the entire society to build a dementia-friendly Singapore, where everyone plays a part in fostering understanding, support, and inclusion. Dementia-Friendly Singapore Partners are organisations whose staff are equipped with dementia-friendly knowledge and incorporated dementia-friendly practices within their businesses to uplift persons with dementia, helping to create meaningful memories for them and their loved ones.
Create Awareness
It is important for people of all ages to learn about dementia and know how to support and connect with persons living with dementia. To build such knowledge and skillsets, many community partners have come together to introduce different initiatives to reach out to the public. For example, setting up of awareness booths at community events, public awareness talks, and e-Learning modules in schools (under the MOE’s Student Learning Space [SLS]) to help students learn about dementia from young. Healthcare, social care and frontline professionals also benefit from targeted symposiums that help to deepen their knowledge and sets skills such as communication.
There are also meaningful efforts like the Human Library, where persons living with dementia or caregivers share their stories, giving the public a chance to listen, connect, and learn from their lived experiences. Together, these efforts help to build a more caring and inclusive society.
Some of Our Key Partners
- Faith-based Groups
- Ministry of Education
- National Library Board
- Community mental health teams
- Health care providers
- Advocacy groups e.g. Dementia & Co, La Kopi Peer Support Group and Voices for Hope
Transportation
Taking public transport to run errands or visit their loved ones can be challenging for persons living with dementia and their caregivers, as schedules and bus routes can cause confusion and build up stress.
With the following dementia-friendly initiatives from our transport partners, commuting can be safe, comfortable and enjoyable:
- Caring staff support – trained staff are ready to guide persons with dementia if they lose their way or need help to reunite with their loved one. All MRT stations and bus interchanges are Dementia Go-To Points that help persons living with dementia who have lost their way.
- Clearer wayfinding – dementia-friendly signposts, at bus interchanges and MRT stations, such as murals with familiar icons and objects, make navigation easier.
- Quiet room – a comfortable space where persons living with dementia can rest, calm down, and wait for their loved ones to fetch them when they feel lost and/or overwhelmed.
Some of our key partners:
- Go-Ahead Singapore
- Public Transport Council
- SBS Transit
- SMRT Corporation Ltd
- Tower Transit Singapore
Housing
Organisations can explore the option of putting internal practices in place to supporting persons living with dementia in their premises. For instance, public transport operators can introduce processes to assist persons living with dementia who appear lost in their transport nodes. The transport sector can also introduce the “May I have a Seat Please” lanyard which signal commuters to give up seats to people with hidden disabilities during rides on public transport.
Banking & Finance
Managing banking and financial matters can sometimes be challenging to a person living with dementia. They may forget how to take a queue number, their account details, or even how to use an ATM machine. At times, they might even feel unsure about filling out forms or handling online transactions.
To empower persons living with dementia and their caregivers to improve their financial planning and day-to-day financial management, staff at banks are trained to guide persons living with dementia through the processes in a patient and reassuring manner. These staff are equipped with the skillset to guide persons living with dementia through the right processes in a patient and reassuring manner. In addition, they are trained to spot unusual or suspicious transactions and will perform checks to protect them from potential scams or fraud.
With this support, persons living with dementia can carry out their banking needs safely with a peace of mind.
Some of our key partners:
- DBS
- POSB
Social Engagement and Activities
A person living with dementia can continue to live a meaningful life when given opportunities for active living and social participation. Engaging in community activities, hobbies, and socialising with others not only strengthens their sense of purpose, but also promotes mental wellness, and reclaim their confidence and dignity.
Different partners have come together to create art and leisure activities that bring joy and meaning to persons living with dementia. These initiatives allow them to continue enjoying their hobbies and routines in a supportive environment. For example, “The ARTs with You” programme headed by the National Gallery Singapore brings art experiences closer to persons with dementia, while “Calm Hours”, by Frasers Property Shopping Malls, offers a quieter and more relaxed setting for leisure activities. Such efforts not only encourage social participation but also help persons living with dementia feel included and connected with the community.
Some of our key partners:
- National Gallery Singapore
- National Library Board
- National Museum of Singapore
- The Esplanade Co Ltd
- Frasers Property Singapore
- NTUC FairPrice Supermarkets
- Sheng Siong Supermarkets
You Can Play a Part
