45 school counsellors representing 41 secondary schools across Kinta Utara attended a Dementia Awareness Workshop organised by the Dementia Society Perak at the BebeLEC Day Care Centre, Ipoh. The workshop was held in preparation for the implementation of Malaysia’s first structured school-based dementia awareness programme.
Supported by the Rotary Club of Greentown and UniKL, the programme aims to equip school counsellors with the knowledge and resources to introduce dementia awareness to secondary school students through a structured online learning platform.
In her opening address, Prof. Dr. Esther, Chairperson of the Dementia Society Perak, highlighted that Perak has the highest proportion of older persons in Malaysia. She said that as Malaysia’s population continues to age, it is increasingly important to cultivate awareness and understanding of dementia from a young age.
“Dementia is not merely a healthcare issue. It is a community issue. By educating our young people today, we are nurturing a generation that is more understanding, compassionate and better prepared to support older persons living with dementia,” she said.
The workshop featured a session by Sivaprasanna Krishnan, retired Principal of MGS Ipoh, who shared practical approaches to communicating dementia awareness to students. She emphasised that schools play an important role in nurturing empathy and compassion among young people, adding that dementia awareness should begin early to reduce stigma and prepare future generations for an ageing society.
Participants were also introduced to the Dementia Awareness Portal by Dr. Sumeeta Dhanoa, Project Chair, who demonstrated how the online platform will be used by students throughout the programme. The portal features self-paced Basic and Advanced learning modules, online assessments and digital certificates. Students who complete the modules will be eligible to participate in a district-wide online quiz later this year.
Educational posters were also presented to the participating schools to support dementia awareness activities within their respective school communities.
The Dementia Society Perak hopes this pioneering initiative will serve as a model for expanding dementia awareness programmes to schools throughout Perak and eventually across Malaysia. The programme also supports the Ministry of Health’s National Dementia Action Plan 2023–2030, which emphasises increasing public awareness and building dementia-friendly communities through education and community engagement.
About the Dementia Society Perak
The Dementia Society Perak is a non-profit organisation dedicated to improving the lives of people living with dementia and their care partners through education, advocacy, community support and caregiver services. The Society operates the BebeLEC Day Care Centre in Ipoh, providing person-centred dementia care and therapeutic activities that enhance the quality of life of people living with dementia.
Beyond providing care services, the Society actively promotes dementia awareness through public education, professional training and community outreach programmes. Working with partners from the healthcare, education and community sectors, the Society is committed to building dementia-friendly communities and empowering Malaysians with the knowledge and understanding needed to support people living with dementia and their families.
Source: The Dementia Society, Perak
