Dementia
Dementia is an umbrella term for progressive degenerative brain syndromes which affect memory, organisation, language and communication, movement, motor functions and other thinking abilities that affect a person’s daily living.
There are several types of dementia, including:
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Vascular Dementia
- Parkinson’s Disease Dementia
- Lewy Body Dementia
- Frontotemporal Dementia
- Huntington’s Disease
- Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus
- Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
- Korsakoff Syndrome
- Mixed Dementia
- Childhood Dementia
- Younger or early onset dementia
Although challenging at times, people with dementia can live well with adequate support systems that focus on their wellbeing and that of their care partners / caregivers.
Resources
*Note: Resources linked are in English and pdf or webpage format, unless stated otherwise.
Page Contents
- Understanding Dementia
- Intersections of Dementia with Other Issues
- Perspectives of Living with and alongside Dementia
- Guides and Tips for Living Well with Dementia
- Guides and Tips for Care Partners
- Dementia-inclusive Environment
- Involving Persons Living with Dementia
- Language Guidelines
- Music and Dementia
- Other Resources
Understanding Dementia
Fact Sheet on Dementia by Sharifah Tahir, Emily Ong & Yuenwah San
WHO factsheet on Dementia, 31 March 2025
The Global Dementia Observatory (GDO) by World Health Organization (WHO)
- Global action plan on the public health response to dementia 2017-2025
- Global status report on the public health response to dementia
- The Global Dementia Observatory (GDO) Knowledge Exchange Platform – contains key resources to support the implementation of the Global action plan on the public heath response to dementia 2017-2025 and its seven action areas. Resources provided in the platform include policies, guidelines, case studies and examples of good practice, and country success stories.
Reports by Alzheimer’s Disease International, including World Alzheimer Report (from 2009 to the latest)
UN Member States recognise dementia as a leading NCD by Alzheimer’s Disease International
Webinar recording: Increasing the visibility of dementia in the context of the UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs (ADI-WHO co-hosted side event to the UN General Assembly, 26 September 2025, New York, USA)
Commonage 2024 Report – Dementia in the Commonwealth by CommonAge
Childhood Dementia: the case for urgent action by The Childhood Dementia Initiative
Intersections of Dementia with Other Issues
Dementia, a gendered issue that intersects with ageing and disability rights in Malaysia by Sharifah Tahir, 5 December 2022, in Malay Mail
- “… my identity as a care partner has reduced me to nothing more than a moral symbol, embodiment of a filial daughter, despite my lived experience and professional public health and rights work record.” ~ Sharifah Tahir.
Doctor in the House: Understanding Dementia as a Disability, interview with Sharifah Tahir on BFM Malaysia. Transcript not available.
Letter: Make Malaysia a dementia inclusive and positive country by Disability Rights Cluster, 21 September 2022
- “… if Malaysia gets it right with dementia and disability responses, it will do well in meeting the needs of older adults in general. And the nation will be successful in managing the imminent ageing society.”
Reducing Dementia Risk Across The Life Course: Never Too Early, Never Too Late, by Sharifah Tahir, Yuenwah San & Dr Amar-Singh HSS in CodeBlue, 29 August 2023
- Dementia risk factors are interconnected and modifiable, and these risks start in childhood, persist and accumulate throughout life.
Hearing Loss: The #1 Most Modifiable Risk Factor of Dementia by A&E Audiology & Hearing Aid Centre, USA
- Hearing loss can increase the risk of dementia by 200-500%
How dementia and hearing loss are linked – Tan Tock Seng Hospital, The Straits Times, 24 August 2020
Autism and Dementia: A Summative Report from the 2nd International Summit on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia | Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders by M.P. Janicki et al, synthesis of findings from the Autism/Dementia Work Group of the 2nd International Summit on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia, 06 May 2025
- The reviewed evidence suggests a notable connection with frontotemporal dementia, although causality has not been established.
- The relationship between autism, cognitive health, and cognitive decline in older adults remains a complex and underexplored area of research.
Aging with Intellectual Disability: Dementia and Cognitive Decline | SpringerLink, 25 July 2020
Dementia in refugees and migrants-eng.pdf, World Health Organization, 2024
More older people are being forcedly displaced by food insecurity, climate change, natural disasters and conflict, … dementia among refugees and migrants is attracting growing attention …
… All aspects of care for those with dementia, including primary prevention, access to health care resources and services, diagnosis and support for carers, can be influenced by the effects of migration, which is itself a determinant of health …
… This Global Evidence Review on Health and Migration sets out the background and the available evidence around the principal core issues, policies and practices … involved in policy-making and service delivery in support of refugees and migrants with dementia.
Dementia in refugees and migrants: epidemiology, public health implications and global responses, WHO 2024
Perspectives of Living with and alongside Dementia
Dignity is about respecting us as individuals, acknowledging our aspirations, supporting us based on our needs and meaningfully engaging with us rather than using us as tokens or as inspirational tools
Anjang, person living with Lewy Body Dementia, on his perception of dignity
Articles
Improving care for people with dementia through co-creation of action plans in the Western Pacific region by Emily Ong, Satoko Hotta, Dy Suharya ,Chris Lynch & Katrin Seeher, in BMJ’s Lived experience as expertise, 8 July 2025
‘He made people feel they mattered’: Nori Abdullah on Tun Abdullah’s legacy – Sinar Daily by Danial Hakim, Sinar Daily, 17 April 2025
- “It’s been a long goodbye in many ways, as that is what dementia puts us through …”
- The post of Nori Abdullah, daughter of late Prime Minister Tun Abullah Badawi, touched on the heartbreaking experience of watching her father slowly fade away through the effects of dementia.
Living A Fulfilling Life With Dementia, Breaking The Stigma by Sharifah Tahir, in CodeBlue 6 June 2023
Global dialogue on lived experiences of dementia: Briefing – The Dementia Landscape Project, by World Dementia Council, 1 November 2021. Featuring 11 participants, including Emily Ong (sole participant from Asia).
The lived experience of people with dementia by Romayne Gallagher
Books
One Last Thing: How to live with the end in mind (2023) by Wendy Mitchell
What I Wish People Knew About Dementia (2022) by Wendy Mitchell
Somebody I Used to Know: A Memoir (2018) by Wendy Mitchell
Dancing with Dementia (2005) by Christine Bryden.
Videos
“Living to the Best You Can with Dementia” – A talk by Ms Emily Ong (YouTube), 23 February 2023, CENTRES 11thInternational Clinical Ethics Conference
- Shorter version (YouTube), 5 October 2022
Living With Dementia: Will You Ever Forget Me? | Can Ask Meh? (YouTube), by Agency for Integrated Care, Singapore, 10 December 2020
Opening speech on H.O.P.E. – living a normal life with dementia by Emily Ong, 16 December 2020, 34thInternational Conference of ADI 2020, in Dementia Hub SG
Galen’s Mother: A Journey Into Dementia Documented Over The Years (YouTube), 25 June 2017
A Dementia Caregiver’s Dilemma: A Love-Hate But Ultimately Love Story (YouTube), 28 May 2017
Social Media Accounts or Blogs
Emily Ong (Singapore), Person Living with Mild Cognitive Impairment & Young-Onset Dementia (YOD)
LinkedIn, Facebook
Sharifah Tahir (Malaysia), Dementia Care Partner
LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram
Wendy Mitchell (United Kingdom), Person with Young-Onset Alzheimer’s
Which me am I today? Blog at WordPress
Perspectives on Dementia Diagnosis
Post-diagnostic experience – of Emily Ong (Singapore) (YouTube), 2022 ADI World Alzheimer’s Month webinar, 31 August 2022.
The first-hand experiences of dementia diagnosis: Emily Ong (Singapore) (YouTube), 2021 World Alzheimer’s Month campaign, 29 September 2021.
Emily Ong on Misdiagnoses and Dementia Advocacy in Asia (YouTube), 16 April 2022.
Towards Hope and Purpose – empowerment through cognitive rehabilitation: My Life, My Goals (YouTube), presentation by Emily Ong in the Alzheimer’s Diseases International (ADI) 2022 parallel session, 12 September 2022.
- Emily talked about moving from recommendations to action through co-producing a self-help resource to support people with dementia to set and achieve their goals; and the importance of incorporating environmental design values and principles.
Guides and Tips for Living Well with Dementia
The dementia guide: Living well after your diagnosis by Alzheimer’s Society, UK
Our “Top Tips” for living well with dementia by The Scottish Dementia Working Group
Post-Diagnostic Resource by The Scottish Dementia Working Group
Dementia and Sensory Challenges by The Scottish Dementia Working Group
Guides and Tips for Care Partners
DemCARE – Transforming dementia care through relationships by Universiti Malaya, DemCARE Malaysia
Caring for a person with dementia: A practical guide by Alzheimer’s Society, UK
‘Nothing Ventured nothing gained’: Risk Guidance for people with dementia by Jill Manthorpe & Jo Moriarty for Department of Health, UK
Supporting Dementia Self Advocates: A Directory of Resources by Dementia Alliance International, 3 Nations Dementia Working Group & Alzheimer’s Society
Living with Dementia: A Resource Kit for Caregivers by Agency for Integrated Care, Singapore – available in English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil
iSupport for Dementia by the World Health Organization (WHO), 9 May 2019
- A self-help tool for carers of people with dementia, including family members, relatives and friends.
- The tool can be adapted to national or local contexts and needs.
I Became Dad’s Caregiver At 29: My Top Tips On Dealing With Dementia (YouTube), 8 September 2023.
Empowered Care Partner Initiatives For Networks Of Peers And Persons Living With Dementia by Leela Koran, Laurie Walther, Tay Chia Yi & Sharifah Tahir, 3 January 2023, in CodeBlue
- With the right support and platform, partnerships in care and support can extend beyond single-family units to networks of care partners and persons living with dementia.
Dementia-inclusive Environment
Designing to Include Dementia & Personhood by Ron Beleno, et al., in Research Institute for Aging Making Singapore Dementia Friendly by Agency for Integrated Care, Singapore, under the Dementia-Friendly Singapore (DFSG) national initiative. DFSG’s goal is to build a Dementia Care network that provides a supportive network for dementia and mental health needs in the community.
Dementia-friendly environment checklist by Alzheimer’s Society, UK
Dementia-friendly environments: Noise levels by Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE), UK
Dementia and Town Planning: Creating better environments for people living with dementia by Royal Town Planning Institute, UK
Looking to the Future – Inclusive Design for People Living With Dementia by Agency for Integrated Care, Singapore
Creating a relaxing environment for people with dementia by Social Care Institute for Excellence, UK
Dementia-Inclusive Communities
Building an inclusive, dementia-friendly Kebun Baru (Singapore)
Living outside with dementia: How Singapore builds its dementia-friendly neighbourhoods by Akshita Nanda, Charlene Chua & Rebecca Pazos for The Straits Times, 21 September 2022.
‘Calm zones’ to be available at some mall stores to provide respite from hustle and bustle for shoppers (Singapore)
What does a dementia-friendly town look like? (Scotland)
The Magic When Kids And Seniors Do Daycare Together: How Germany Gets Ageing Right (YouTube), 14 October 2018
The German Town That’s Embracing Dementia | How Germany Gets Ageing Right (YouTube), 22 September 2018
Hope in simple acts of kindness, by Sharifah Tahir, 7 September 2022, in Malay Mail
- “… my greatest hope lies in the perseverance and resiliency of persons with disabilities and care partners. And the simple acts of kindness of everyday people transcending religion, race, and socioeconomic status.” ~Sharifah Tahir.
Dementia-Inclusive Public Transport
Lost at a bus interchange or MRT station? A touch of nostalgia may help people with dementia find their way by Grace Yeoh, CNA, 07 Feb 2022
Designing public transit systems for accessibility and inclusion of people with cognitive impairments by Emily Ong, Project Lead and Co-Chair of Dementia Alliance International Environmental Design Special Interest Group (DAI ED-SiG)
Public transport and dementia by Centre for Universal Design Australia. “Autistic people/people with autism need similar design considerations to people with dementia.”
Involving Persons Living with Dementia
Lessons learnt when an elderly man with dementia went missing by Channel News Asia
Involving people with dementia as members of steering or advisory groups by The Dementia Engagement and Empowerment Project (DEEP), UK
Collecting the views of people with dementia by The Dementia Engagement and Empowerment Project (DEEP), UK
Designing to Include Dementia & Personhood by Ron Beleno, et al., in Research Institute for Aging
Creating a consumer-driven global community of practice to support action within environmental design with people living with dementia: assistive technology challenges and opportunities by Emily Ong, Dennis Frost, Saskia Kuliga, Natasha Layton & Jacki Liddle
Engagement of people with lived experience of dementia advisory group and cross-cutting program: reflections on the first year by Ellen Snowball, et al., in Research Involvement and Engagement, 25 June 2022
Frontiers | From inclusion to empowerment: advancing equity through co-research with people living with dementia, by Lillian Hung et al, Frontiers in Dementia, 13 May 2025
Language Guidelines
What not to say to somebody with dementia by Alzheimer’s Society, UK
Dementia words matter: Guidelines on language about Dementia by The Dementia Engagement and Empowerment Project (DEEP), UK
Dementia Language Guidelines by Dementia Australia
An Open Letter to Filmmakers on Portrayals of Dementia by Emily Ong, 2 September 2022, in Dementia Hub SG
Music and Dementia
The Benefits of Music for People with Alzheimer’s or Dementia by A.L. Heywood, medically reviewed by Heidi Moawad, 1 May 2023, in healthline.
Musical Bridges to Memory: A Pilot Dyadic Music Intervention to Improve Social Engagement in Dementia by Rhiana Schafer, et al., in Alzheimer Disease & Associated Disorders.
Other Resources
Youth in Action – a Toolkit for young Dementia supporters by Young Dementia Network
Advance Care Planning and dementia with Wendy Mitchell on Conversations on Advanced Care Planning Podcast (transcript not available)
Evaluation of Films That Depict People With Dementia by Arwa Jibril and Ross Overshott, in BJPsych Open, 7 July 2023
National Dementia Plans – A repository with a list of national dementia plans, and examples of sub-national plans and non-governmental plans compiled by Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI)
Dementia in the Commonwealth by the Commonwealth Association for the Ageing (CommonAge), September 2024
Ageing Well in the Commonwealth: A Roadmap for Healthy Ageing Across the Life Course, 2024–2030, by The Commonwealth, 22 October 2024
Efforts to foster understanding of Dementia by Pressreader
How to talk about dementia by Dementia Australia
FAQ’s
Yes, dementia results in psychosocial and cognitive impairments, qualifying it as a disability under the PWD Act 2008 and CRPD standards.
A community where people living with dementia are respected, supported, and can continue to participate in daily life with dignity.