WHAT if dementia care was not about medication or machines, but about understanding a person’s life story?
At the Golden Sails Elder Care & Wellness Centre in Jelutong, that philosophy is at the heart of everything the team does. Rather than focusing solely on the condition, the non-profit organisation believes in celebrating the individual behind it.
Established in 2024, the centre began with just one client. Today, it serves 11 senior citizens, supported by a dedicated team of six caregivers who provide highly personalised care through a psychosocial approach.
Golden Sails assistant secretary Kedrick Kok said the organisation was founded with a simple yet meaningful mission which is to offer quality wellness activities, dementia care and elderly support services for the community.
“We are a non-profit organisation, and our goal is to help seniors remain active, healthy and connected to society,” he said during an interview with Buletin Mutiara at the centre today.
Unlike conventional caregiving models, each caregiver at Golden Sails looks after only one or two seniors, allowing them to build stronger relationships and better understand each individual’s emotional and physical needs.
Currently operating as a daytime care centre, Golden Sails also opens its doors to the wider community every Saturday through its Age Well Sat programme.
The weekly initiative welcomes active senior citizens and their family members to participate in health talks, wellness activities and social engagement sessions designed to encourage healthy and independent ageing.
“We want to create a community where seniors can continue living active and meaningful lives. The programme is also a platform for families to learn more about healthy ageing and dementia awareness,” Kok said.
As a charitable organisation, Golden Sails relies heavily on public support to sustain its operations.
Kok hopes more individuals and corporate organisations will come forward to contribute, especially as the centre plans to purchase a wheelchair-friendly van.
“Some seniors want to join our programmes but are unable to travel independently due to mobility issues. A van would enable us to bring them safely to the centre and improve accessibility for more elderly people,” he said.
To further raise public awareness and generate funds, Golden Sails will organise a charity fun walk and food fair on Oct 4, with proceeds going towards the centre’s operations while also promoting greater understanding of dementia.
Meanwhile, Golden Sails centre manager and physiotherapist Por Li Chiun explained that the organisation’s caregiving philosophy revolves around person-centred psychosocial care rather than clinical treatment.
“We don’t provide medication or medical treatment here. Instead, we focus on understanding who the person is, their life experiences, hobbies, interests, previous occupations and even their religious background.
“Those are the things that continue to shape who they are, even after they develop dementia,” she said.
Before a senior joins the programme, staff spend time learning about the person’s background through discussions with family members.
This allows caregivers to tailor daily activities according to each individual’s personality and interests.
For example, a former homemaker who enjoys colouring and prayer is encouraged to participate in creative art sessions and paper-folding activities linked to her religious practices.
“Rather than asking her to solve mathematics or Sudoku puzzles that she has no interest in, we join her in activities she genuinely enjoys.
“We paint together, colour together and even fold prayer papers with her. It isn’t about religion itself, but about creating familiar experiences that make her feel calm, secure and emotionally connected,” Por explained.
Although activities vary from day to day, the centre maintains a structured daily routine, which is especially beneficial for people living with dementia.
Each morning begins with health checks, breakfast and casual conversations before residents participate in approximately 30 minutes of exercise.
As a physiotherapist, Por ensures the exercise sessions incorporate upper and lower-body movements, with strength training conducted at least three times a week to help slow muscle loss.
Throughout the day, seniors take part in activities that combine enjoyment with therapeutic benefits, including games, colour recognition exercises, group challenges, karaoke, dancing and even mahjong sessions.
“We don’t force activities on them. If they aren’t in the mood for one activity, we simply adjust according to what they enjoy that day.
“The important thing is that they remain engaged, socially connected and mentally stimulated.
“Many of the games are carefully designed to improve coordination, eye movement, cognitive function and fine motor skills,” she said.
The team also keeps detailed daily records to monitor each senior’s progress, tracking abilities such as colour recognition, writing, vocabulary, social interaction and movement to identify any changes over time.
Even mealtimes receive thoughtful attention.
While meals are generally catered, the centre adapts food according to each senior’s chewing ability, appetite and nutritional needs.
Vegetables may be steamed until soft, food is cut into smaller pieces where necessary, while colourful ingredients such as pumpkin, tomatoes and sweet potatoes are used to make meals more visually appealing.
The team even uses brightly coloured plates to help seniors with impaired eyesight distinguish their food more easily.
“It’s not only about nutrition. We want the food to look appetising because visual presentation can encourage seniors to eat better,” Por said.
Beyond daily care, Golden Sails is equally committed to changing public perceptions surrounding dementia.
Por stressed that many people wrongly associate dementia with aggression or hopelessness, when in reality patients simply require greater understanding, patience and compassion.
“We want to become their voice because many people living with dementia eventually find it difficult to express themselves.
“Our mission is also to break the stigma surrounding dementia and help society understand that every individual deserves respect, regardless of their condition,” she said.
For the team at Golden Sails, caregiving begins not with treatment, but with trust.
Building meaningful relationships comes before providing assistance, allowing seniors to feel valued rather than dependent.
Ultimately, Por believes every elderly person deserves to age with dignity.
“We don’t want them to feel that growing old makes them less important or less worthy.
“We want them to know they are still respected, they still have purpose, and they can continue living meaningful lives surrounded by care, compassion and understanding,” she concluded.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Alissala Thian