Beneficial bonding: When people with dementia interact with kids and youth

17 Sep 2024

Mr Jonathan Leong initially felt awkward when attending his first Memories Cafe event, organised by Dementia Singapore, to help people with dementia and their caregivers interact in a normal cafe setting. Though nervous about interacting with those affected by dementia, he soon found joy in dancing with an elderly woman during the event. In May, as a second-year student at SP’s Media, Arts & Design School, he and his peers organised a Memories Cafe at the polytechnic. Now, as a volunteer with Dementia & Co., he regularly plays music and dances with people with dementia, even participating in a talent show and learning dances like the cha-cha. His perception of dementia has changed, realising that people with the condition can still enjoy life, be social, and engage in hobbies.

[The Straits Times]