On November 21, 2024, the Rotary Club of Greentown, alongside key supporting organizations such as the Rotary Club of Taipei Rui An, Rotary Club of Makati Edsa, and the Dementia Society of Perak, celebrated a significant milestone in dementia care. The event took place at BEBELEC Daycare Center, where PRIP Mark Maloney, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Rotary Foundation, visited the Global Grant Project Site (GG1979099).
This visit highlighted the progress of the “Training in Dementia Care” initiative, which has brought transformative changes to the lives of individuals and families affected by dementia. Supported by a grant from the Rotary Foundation, the project has empowered caregivers and healthcare providers through specialized training, and introduced Malaysia’s first dementia-specific therapeutic garden—a space designed for engagement and healing. As a symbolic gesture, Past Rotary International President Mark Maloney signed on a specially made plaque by Rotary Club of Greentown & also planted an avocado sampling in the Garden site of the Global Grant.
“We are honored to showcase the impact of this initiative,” said a Rotary representative. “With PRIP Mark Maloney’s visit, we reflect on the compassion and commitment driving our mission forward.”
The project, launched during the 2018-2019 Rotary Year, has made lasting contributions to dementia care. It provided training to over 440 caregivers and healthcare providers, benefiting over a hundred individuals living with dementia. The Therapeutic Garden, coupled with tools like the Virtual Forest, has set a new standard for dementia care environments in Malaysia.
This collaboration with the Rotary Foundation and other partners continues to make a difference in the Perak community, where the aging population faces increasing rates of dementia. With its ongoing success, the project is poised to sustain its positive impact on both caregivers and those they support.
For more information about the initiative or to get involved, visit the Dementia Society of Perak’s website.
