New dementia care room at Jamiyah senior home

The home, also known as Darul Takrim, has provided shelter and care to destitute persons with nowhere else to turn since 1996. It caters to seniors of all races and religions.

“Some are frail, while others are still in good health but have no family or are estranged from them, with no job and no home to return to,” said a spokesperson for Jamiyah Singapore.

Jamiyah Singapore told The Straits Times that the room’s launch marks the start of a stronger focus on dementia care, with staff receiving structured dementia care training through a partnership with Changi General Hospital.

They also learnt from other care providers as well as local and international experts, said Jamiyah president Mohd Hasbi Abu Bakar.

Staff received training in dementia and psychogeriatric care, and developed cognitive and sensory activities that help those with dementia stay engaged and express themselves.

The home will also build expertise in gerontology – the study of the ageing process – through specialised training and collaboration, and support residents who are able and ready to regain their independence and return to life in the community.

Mohd Hasbi said that the home will also introduce technology such as artificial intelligence-assisted fall detection to meet the needs of residents.

He added: “We intend to have dementia-centred programmes for residents and continue strengthening our staff’s skills so that every person living with dementia receives thoughtful, patient care.”

In his speech, Neo noted that Darul Takrim has shared its mission with the wider community, with schools, companies, mosques and grassroots groups visiting regularly to spend time with residents.

There is something special about interactions between young people and the elderly, he said.

For example, young people can teach seniors more about technology, such as using social media on a smartphone, while seniors can share “authentic life stories, lessons and experiences that no reel can convey”, he added.

“And when young persons and seniors come together, we nurture the gotong-royong spirit, and help build a ‘We First’ society, where we see one another better, empathise with one another better, and we aspire to do better for everyone, and not just ourselves,” said Neo.

The event on Nov 7 saw 10 medicine and nursing students receive $15,000 in total as part of the 5th Jamiyah Singapore – Dr Kutbuddin Medical Studies Award.

The award was established in 2022 in memory of the late Kutbuddin Dohadwala, who volunteered with Jamiyah for 50 years and helped set up the Jamiyah Free Medical Clinic in 1975.

He cared for Darul Takrim’s residents in its early years.

Two of the students received the main award of $3,500 each, while the others each received an encouragement award of $1,000.