Dementia is often misunderstood, leading to delayed diagnoses and limited support for patients and caregivers. Many assume it’s a normal process of aging, when in reality, dementia is a medical condition that requires early intervention. Stigma and lack of awareness mean many families struggle alone, unaware of available resources and strategies that can help.

Could this be dementia?

If you answered yes to any of these, it’s time to take action.

When to seek medical attention

Don’t wait for things to get worse. Seek medical help if your loved one:

Forgets familiar faces or places.

Repeats the same questions within minutes.

Struggles daily activities they once managed with ease.

Shows increased confusion or aggression.

Early diagnosis can slow progression and improve quality of life.

Navigating daily life with dementia

Caring for someone with dementia can be overwhelming, but simple changes can make a world of difference:

• Structure their day: Consistence helps reduce confusion. Set meal times according to familiar routines, such as serving rice porridge for breakfast if that has always been their preference.
• Use visual cues: Label rooms and drawers to aid memory. Using pictures of food items on pantry doors, placing colour-coded stickers on different storage doors can trigger recognition. For those struggling with the bathroom, using contrasting colours for the toilet seat and floor can make navigation easier.
• Encourage social interaction: Isolation accelerates decline. Arrange regular visits from grandchildren, involve them in small community activities, or encourage participation in tai chi or morning walks in neighbourhood parks.
• Be patient with communication: Speak slowly, use short sentences, and maintain eye contact. Instead of asking open-ended questions, offer choices like “Do you want coffee or tea?” to make decision-making easier.
• Create a dementia-friendly home: Avoid clutter and ensure clear walking paths. Use warm, natural lighting and limit mirrors, as reflections can sometimes cause distress.
• Engage in meaningful activities: Music, storytelling, and art can stimulate their mind. Singing familiar folk song, preparing simple dishes together, or participating in flower arranging (ikebana) can provide comfort and joy.

Related: Vascular dementia: The silent cognitive decline we often overlook

DID YOU KNOW?

Art therapy has been shown to unlock hidden emotions and memories, providing a bridge to reconnect with loved ones.

Art helps dementia patients express themselves beyond words. Looking at art objects in a contemplative environment or seeing their completed artwork gives them a sense of accomplishment, and having their names on their pieces allows them to share their work with pride.

Case studies from Singapore reveal how art therapy provides dementia patients with a newfound sense of expression.

DID YOU KNOW?

The Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) in Singapore conducts the Arts and Memories programme, designed for seniors with dementia to help them improve their cognitive and emotional wellbeing. Art therapist, Karen Koh is engaged to conduct these sessions for seniors with dementia and their care partners. With her extensive experience in healthcare, she helps dementia patients reconnect with their identities and emotions through creative expression.

Karen shares the stories behind the artefacts, creating moments of connection and discovery for the participants.

Unlike medication, art therapy taps into the emotional and creative parts of the brain that remain intact longer than memory. It allows individuals to express joy, sadness, or nostalgia without the need for words.

EXPERT INSIGHT

Tan Ching Yee, Senior Manager (Education) at Asian Civilisations Museum and Peranakan Museum shares that creative activities stimulate cognitive functions like memory and problem-solving while also promoting relaxation, easing anxiety and frustration.

Hands-on activities engage the minds and hands, strengthening coordination and fine motor skills. Sensory learning and artmaking leave a deeper impact than passive engagement.

A moment of concentration as participants engage in the artmaking process.

DID YOU KNOW?

Looking at art in a calming environment can help trigger memories and emotions. Ching Yee adds that the Arts and Memories program in Asian Civilisation Museum engages seniors with dementia through gallery tours, interaction with the museum’s handling collection and hands-on creative sessions. By interacting and relating with Asian art objects and creating their own works, participants recall with past experiences while finding relaxation in the process.

Art therapy isn’t just for dementia patents. It can also be a meaningful and restorative experience for caregivers. By participating alongside their loves ones, caregivers can:

• Strengthen emotional connections through shared creative activities.
• Reduce stress and find moments of joy amid caregiving responsibilities.
• Foster communication in new and meaningful ways, even without words.

Related: He’s still him: Embracing the person behind the dementia

EXPERT INSIGHT

Karen also shares that the tactile experience of materials like clay and wood evokes comfort and familiarity, while colours and symbols inspire creativity. In Arts and Memories program, we integrated these elements to enhance engagement. Adapting techniques to individual abilities fosters autonomy and accomplishment, reinforcing a sense of purpose and connection.

Quotes: The impact of art therapy

“The programme theme of viewing and sharing facts of historical artifacts is very appropriate for our group of participants, who are living with dementia and their care partners. Persons living with dementia generally remember things from longer term memories rather than recent memories, so engaging them with historical artifacts can invoke their memories and help them make connections. The activities of getting them to make their own replicas of object on display help to keep them cognitively active and engaged. Thank you to the ACM team for their patience and creativity.” - Steven Lew, Dementia Singapore (DSG) staff

“It was meaningful to travel back in time with my mother and the rest of the participants, learning about things from the past together. Seeing everyone so engaged and sharing moments of joy and creativity made the experience truly special for all of us.” - Dana, caregiver

“My dad enjoyed it so much and showed off his works of art to the family after each session. Thank you, ACM, for creating an engaging programme and we hope to be able to participate in more of such programmes.” – Michelle, caregiver

A participant and caregiver share a proud moment after completing their artworks.

Dementia may affect memories, but it should never take away dignity. With greater awareness and support, we. can help those affected live with respect and connection. Let’s build a more dementia-friendly community together.

EXPERT CONTRIBUTORS
Tan Ching Yee
Senior Manager (Education)
Asian Civilisations Museum and Peranakan Museum, Singapore
Instagram: @acm_sg

Karen Koh
Registered Art Therapist
Art Therapists’ Association of Singapore and
The Australian, New Zealand And Asian Creative Arts Therapies Association

Special thanks to Asian Civilisations Museum for providing these images.