Our Ageing Population in Singapore
Someone in the world develops dementia every three seconds.
In 2012, about 28,000 people in Singapore aged 60 and above has dementia. By 2030, over 152,000 people in Singapore are projected to live with dementia.
Dementia does not only affect seniors, approximately 5% of persons living with dementia develop symptoms before age 65. Although dementia does not only affect seniors, the likelihood of developing dementia nevertheless increases with age.
What is Dementia-Friendly Singapore?
Announced by the Ministry of Health (MOH) in 2016, Dementia-Friendly Singapore (DFSG) is a national initiative to address dementia prevalence. Under the DFSG initiative, the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) and community partners aim to build a dementia-friendly nation with dementia-friendly communities to support persons living with dementia through the 3Es strategy, which is to Engage, Empower, and Enable. The desired outcomes are that it will facilitate early identification, promote preventive activities to reduce the risk of dementia, and provide care and support to persons living with dementia and their caregivers.
The end goal in mind is to build a Dementia Care network that provides a supportive network for dementia and mental health needs in the community.
To find out more about the Dementia Care network and Dementia-Friendly Singapore initiative’s milestones, visit About Dementia-Friendly Singapore (DFSG) on DementiaHub.SG.
Dementia-Friendly Singapore (DFSG) Movement
On 20 November 2022, the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) officially launched the inaugural #DementiaFriendlySG Movement campaign to spearhead the national movement to make Singapore dementia-friendly.
The social movement aims to rally the society as individuals, community and businesses to play a part in building a caring and dementia-friendly Singapore. It aims to raise greater public awareness about dementia and encourage every individual to lend a helping hand as a Dementia Friend. It is important for our ageing nation to build a caring and supportive environment for persons living with dementia to continue living a fulfilling life in the community.
The #DementiaFriendlySG movement is part of the Dementia-Friendly Singapore (DFSG) initiative. Led by AIC, the campaign hopes to spread the message on the importance of creating an inclusive society and advocate ways that anyone can become a Dementia Friend in supporting persons living with dementia in the community.
Join the Movement and Become a Dementia Friend!
You can join the #DementiaFriendlySG Movement and become a Dementia Friend via the following ways:
- ‘Like’ Dementia-Friendly Singapore Facebook page to follow the latest happenings, contests and quizzes and stay updated on news and events on dementia
How can you help as a Dementia Friend?
- Download the CARA app, developed by Dementia Singapore, to keep a look out for reported missing persons living with dementia.
- You can be KIND and communicate with CARE when you come across someone who is alone and appears anxious – that person may have dementia.
- Learn about dementia by completing an e-learning course on dementia awareness.
Learn more about dementia and caregiving resources at www.DementiaHub.sg.
What is a Dementia-Friendly Community?
A Dementia-Friendly Community (DFC) is one whereby people know about dementia and mental wellness, and persons living with dementia and their families feel included, involved and supported in the community:
- People are ENGAGED and know the signs of dementia, how to communicate as well as how to offer assistance.
- Persons living with dementia, caregivers and seniors are EMPOWERED with preventive activities, memory screening, resources and services.
- Community partners are ENABLED through collaborations on enhanced environment designs and technological enablers to create a safe and inclusive environment.
There are currently 15 DFCs across Singapore. To find out where the DFCs are located, visit Where are the Dementia-Friendly Communities Located? on DementiaHub.SG.
What are the Key Initiatives in a Dementia-Friendly Community?
1) Dementia Go-To Points (GTPs)
Go-To Points are located on the premises of organisations which support the #DementiaFriendlySG movement. These community nodes support persons living with dementia and their caregivers by functioning as a resource centre and safe return point:
a) Resource Centre
The general public and caregivers can get educational resources and helpful information on dementia here.
b) Safe Return Point
Members of the public can bring persons living with dementia who may appear lost and are unable to find their way home for staff assistance here.
You can find the full list of GTPs on HealthHub. Watch the “Setting up a Go-To Point” video and download the Dementia Go-To Point manual under ‘Resources’ below to learn more about GTP.
2) Caregiver Support Network (CSN)
Caregiver Support Network is another initiative under Dementia-Friendly Singapore to support and connect with caregivers caring for persons living with dementia, mental health or physical health conditions. CSNs were developed with the intention of enabling caregivers to care for themselves and to become pillars of support for one another.
There are three key focus areas: Self-care; Peer Support Network; and Recognition. We hope that the CSNs can promote awareness of the different needs required to support caregiving as well as encourage building a supportive network whereby community stakeholders can actively play a role in supporting caregivers and their own well-being in the community. Watch the “Implementing an effective Caregiver Support Network” video and download the Caregiver Support Network toolkit under ‘Resources’ below to learn more about CSN.
For more information on Caregiver Support Network and caregiver support groups, click here.
3) Services
In each DFC, there is a community outreach team (CREST), which promotes the DFC, driving the provision of care programmes, mental health and dementia care services.
To find out more about the CREST teams in the respective DFCs, visit What are the Key Initiatives in a Dementia-Friendly Community? on DementiaHub.SG.
4) Technology Enablers
CARA Mobile App
CARA is a lifestyle and community digital platform that provides easy access for persons living with dementia and caregivers to connect to an ecosystem of solutions via a mobile application.
An initiative by Dementia Singapore – the national leader in specialised dementia care, CARA stands for Community, Assurance, Rewards and Acceptance – serving as a key touchpoint for members to access personalised support across the journey of living with and caring for dementia.
Supported by AIC and the National Council of Social Service, CARA is the first dementia membership programme of its kind in the world.
To find out more about the CARA app and how to download the app, visit the CARA website.
Resources
Setting Up a Go-To Point
Dementia Go-To Point Manual
This manual serves as a reference for employees of organisations in manning the dementia Go-To Points (GTP) to support persons living with dementia in the community. They dovetail the GTP set-up process, role and expectations as well as provide a list of resources in assisting wandering persons living with dementia and dementia information.
Setting Up a Caregiver Support Network
Caregiver Support Network Toolkit
Specially designed toolkit to empower individuals in setting up a Caregiver Support Network that emphasise self-care, peer support and recognising caregivers’ well-being in the community.
Youth Hope Intergenerational Toolkit
This toolkit provides a step-by-step guide to starting the Youth Hope programme, which aims to foster intergenerational bonding between youth and seniors. The toolkit also outlines the steps to implementing Youth Hope in the community and how individuals and community partners can play a part to engage youth to support seniors and persons living with dementia.
Lend A Helping Hand, Be A Dementia Friend
The Dementia-Friendly Singapore (DFSG) initiative aims to build a caring and inclusive society to support persons living with dementia to age in place. Download the DFSG brochure to find out how you can become a Dementia Friend and play a part!
Let’s Build a Caring and Dementia-Friendly Singapore Together!
Did you know that by 2030, over 152,000 people in Singapore are projected to live with dementia? Download the DFSG accordion card to learn about dementia and how you can play a part to support persons living with dementia and their caregivers.
Spark Conversations: A Journal of Shared Memories
Did you know that by 2030, over 152,000 people in Singapore are projected to be living with dementia? Download this journal developed for youths to start conversations with their grandparents, starting with “What’s your life story?” By starting these conversations and recording them, it encourages a deeper understanding between youth and senior.
