Ahead of September as the month of dementia, Ng Teng Fong General Hospital initiates a sensory mat project “Handmade Heartmade”, Singapore’s largest collection of 700 handmade sensory mats made by the community over a period of four months, for persons with dementia. Sensory mats, also known as distraction pads, are cloth pads made with different types of fabrics and sensorial objects, like zippers, buttons and other attachments, designed to help reduce anxiety and agitation in patients with dementia, autism, stimulate their senses and induce a sense of calm. Each sensory mat is unique and created based on moving personal experiences to dementia - either first-hand as a patient or as a caregiver of their loved ones. The Straits Times looks into personal stories of dementia by three contributors - Ms Hailey Lim, 28; Mr John Ashworth, 86, and his adopted son Mr Richard Ashworth, 65; and Mrs Wendy Wei, 54, and her mother Madam Koh Sew Kee, 80.