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Living with dementia

In spite of a fading memory, people with dementia can still live with hope and dignity. On the occasion of World Alzheimer's Day on Sept 21, The Straits Times finds out how St Andrew's Community Hospital helps its dementia patients.

Physiotherapist Ms Rebecca Tan (centre, in blue) and therapy assistant Ms Syarifah Maisarah Syed Alwi (second from right) engage patients at the dementia care ward in a parachute activity as part of physiotherapy. ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN

Facilitator Aden Firdaus Jam'an (centre, in black) from OneHeartBeat Percussion engages patients from the dementia care ward in a rhythmn wellness programme using drums and other percussion instruments. ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN

Madam Lim Kim Heang (extreme right), 76, watches a movie with other patients at the dementia care ward. Diagnosed with dementia, Madam Lim was admitted to SACH due to a kidney and urine infection. The founding philosophy of this 22-bed dementia ward is based on a multidisciplinary, patient-centred approach of providing care for dementia patients who require rehabilitation in a conducive, safe and home-like environment. ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN

Mrs Rosalind Tan (in purple), 76, assists her husband Mr Tan Lye Kiat (centre), 84, to drink coffee as they take part in Memories Cafe, a collaborative programme with Alzheimer’s Disease Association, that engages patients with dementia and their caregivers in a two-hour activity in a cafe at the hospital. The sessions aim to improve the communication between the caregivers and patients with dementia. Mr Tan was admitted to SACH because he suffered a stroke and has been walking unsteadily for two months, he is also experiencing a functional decline with progression of dementia. The couple has been married for 52 years and has two children. ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN

Hairstylist May Tan (left), who has been volunteering her services at SACH since 2014, works on the hair of Mdm Lim Kim Heang (right), 76, at the dementia care ward. Diagnosed with dementia, Madam Lim was admitted to SACH due to a kidney and urine infection. A hairstylist for over 30 years with her own shop in Tampines, Ms Tan comes occasionally to the ward to give free hair cuts to the patients depending on demand and her availability.
ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN

84-year-old Mr Tan Lye Kiat (second from right), plays an improvised game of hockey with Mdm Goh Ah Hiang (extreme left), 91, and Mr Lee Kong Foo (extreme right), 88, at the dementia care ward. Mr Tan was admitted to SACH because he suffered a stroke and has been walking unsteadily for two months, he is also experiencing a functional decline with progression of dementia. As the former company director enjoys sports, the dementia care team engage him in ball games such as hockey and basketball. ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN

Led by physiotherapists, occupational therapists and therapy assistants, SACH patients at the dementia care ward take part in daily morning exercises at the rooftop garden. The physiotherapists engage patients in physiotherapy-led exercises which improve their balance. The exercises have a significant and positive impact on behavioural and psychological symptoms of patients with dementia, improving their cognitive function and mood and reducing the need for medication. ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN

Mrs Gloria Amy Locke (left), 79, enjoys ice-cream on an easy stand during a physiotherapy session as Mdm Lim Leong Choo (right), 89 years old, is seen on a tilt table with a family relative. Both diagnosed with dementia, Mrs Locke had a fracture after a fall and Mdm Lim was admitted to SACH because of pneumonia. The tilt table and easy stand train patients' standing tolerance and strengthens their lower limbs. ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN

Led by enrolled nurses Ms Maila Bernades Madelo (second from left) and Ms Vanissa Rose Demetrio (second from right), SACH patients with dementia take part in a programme called "Everyday Waltzes for Active Ageing", which helps to connect everyday actions into creative movements to enhance their mobility, sensory experience and imagination. Ms Madelo and Ms Demetrio conduct this sessions on selected Sundays mornings during their day off so that the dementia care team can continue to engage patients during weekends. ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN

Senior nurse manager Lee Soh Luan wheels Madam Wong Soo Han, 87, near Madam Goh Chor Keng, 88, as they show off their dolls. Both patients have dementia and Madam Wong was admitted to hospital because of a fracture after a fall while Madam Goh had vi — Principal music therapist Ng Wang Feng (back to camera) leads patients in a group session. Singing in unison, playing instruments such as the drums, and moving to music as a group can improve and maintain range of motion, respiratory strength, and cognitive, social and communication skills The therapy also has an uplifting effect on patients’ mood. Music can help them improve their quality of life and achieve other functional health-related goals. Daily morning exercises at the rooftop garden also have a significant and positive impact on behavioural and psychological symptoms of patients with dementia, improving their cognitive function and mood, and reducing the need for medication. These sessions are led by physiotherapists, occupational therapists and therapy assistants. ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN

Neo Xiaobin Executive Photojournalist

Updated

Published

Sep 18, 2017, 05:00 AM

At the 22-bed dementia care ward in St Andrew's Community Hospital located in Simei, Madam Wong Soo Han, 87, and Madam Goh Chor Keng, 88, hardly spoke to each other until they saw the dolls in each other's arms.

In that instant, maternal instincts connected as they smiled. Their wrinkled eyes lit up as they gestured to each other to acknowledge the life-like models they cradled.

Diagnosed with dementia, both struggle to retain their identities as mothers and grandmothers. Doll therapy can sometimes help to comfort those who have dementia - though Madam Wong could not take to it in the end as her fractured right arm prevented her from holding her doll comfortably.

She has been at St Andrew's Community Hospital for six weeks while Madam Goh was discharged last Tuesday.

In 2013, the hospital set up a dementia care ward to provide rehabilitative care for persons with dementia, a condition characterised by progressive deterioration in memory and other cognitive domains.

About one in 10 seniors aged 60 and above has dementia, a figure that is expected to rise as the population continues to age.

On top of physical rehabilitative programmes, such as physiotherapy and occupational therapy exercises, the hospital also provides a person-centred model of care in the dementia care ward that aims to improve patients' functional outcome, decrease behavioural issues and improve quality of life.

"We see persons with dementia as individuals, rather than focus on their illness," says senior nurse manager Lee Soh Luan, 59, who leads a team of 26 nursing staff.

"Efforts are made to discover and understand the whole person before us, taking into account each person's unique abilities, preferences and needs, as well as his family's background and values, while according (patients) the dignity and respect they deserve."

Tasked with spearheading the dementia care ward in 2013, Ms Lee initiated programmes like doll therapy, grooming sessions, and the display of items from the past around the ward to spark conversations.

Mrs Gloria Amy Locke, 79, a former model and athlete, enjoys the grooming and music sessions. She was referred to music therapy for anxiety. By tracking her responses in individual and group sessions, it was found that music therapy could stimulate and help maintain her cognitive skills and mood, said principal music therapist Ng Wang Feng, 40.

Through therapy and group activities, such as cooking and art and craft sessions, staff at the dementia care ward hope to show how persons with dementia can still live with hope, dignity and meaning.

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