A recent report commissioned by local philanthropic houses Lien Foundation and Khoo Chwee Neo Foundation underscored the need for nursing homes to go beyond just clinical care.
Lien Foundation has committed some $2.6 million to Apex until 2018, so it can recruit more staff providing psychosocial care and build capabilities.
One in 10 people aged 60 and above in Singapore has dementia, and the condition strikes half of those aged 85 and beyond, according to findings from a large-scale study released by the Institute of Mental Health last year.
United World College of South East Asia student Satvik Agarwal, 17, shares a song on his phone playlist with resident Abdul Kahal Gani, 78. This music collaboration is part of the Music with Reminiscence programme between students from United World College of South East Asia and residents of Apex Harmony Lodge. Every week, about 15 residents with severe dementia spend an hour of one-on-one time with the students listening to various music compilations. ST PHOTOS: NEO XIAOBIN
Both Mr Mustafa and Mr Lim take part in at least four activities together and have developed a unique friendship.
"Sometimes we underestimate people with dementia. We think they have lost their capability to make social connections, but they have not. There is a lot unspoken. Mustafa and Jin Huat do not just look out for each other during work, but also day to day as well," said Ms Soh Mee Choo, 56, Apex Harmony Lodge's chief executive.
She cited an example in which the usually mild-mannered Mr Mustafa became angry with another resident for being rude to Mr Lim, who has a slight hearing impairment, as well as communication problems.
"I had never seen Mustafa in such a furious mood. He stood up and wanted to defend (Mr Lim)."
Ms Soh, who spent almost 10 years in special education, said that while the needs of a person with dementia are different, his strengths are also different. "Instead of focusing on what they can't do, do we have the eyes to see the beauty, strengths and good in them?"
Moving forward, she recognises that one of the challenges in caring for people with dementia is their evolving needs.
"The current work-related activities may not excite the next generation of residents, so we need to be visionary, to be thinking ahead to ask ourselves: Whatever we do today, will it still be applicable and relevant three years down the road?"
Other challenges include finding relevant business partners with the same beliefs, grooming people for the future, raising funds and keeping programmes sustainable.
"Now that I'm in the sector, I know how tough it is," said Ms Soh. "Day-to-day operations are already a lot to handle, but on top of that, you need people to think beyond the present and conceptualise the future.
"I'm hoping that with the kind of effort, with the kind of outcomes we have, that there will be different quality assurance systems as well as policies to meet the needs of people with dementia so they can continue to live well."
