PRESS RELEASE [FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE] Singapore, 22 August, 2016 Alzheimer’s Disease International’s Asia Pacific Regional Office (ADI-APRO) and Alzheimer’s Disease Foundation Malaysia (ADFM), sponsored partially by CaregiverAsia (CGA) and supported by Professional Trainers from Alzheimer’s Disease Association (ADA) Singapore will commence the training of 16 professional Dementia caregivers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, starting with a week-long training program at One World Hotel, from 22-26 August 2016.
There are approximately 123,000 persons with Dementia in Malaysia, amounting to total Healthcare cost of $175 Million/year (Dementia in the Asia Pacific Region, ADI Report, 2014). The ‘Dementia Care Skills (DCS) Train-the-Trainer Course’ Program, delivered by ADI-APRO, is a crucial part of supporting Alzheimer’s associations, care partners and interested individuals in the region to improve care for people with Dementia. This program is adapted and based on the accredited Dementia Care Essentials Course from Australia. It provides training for caregivers on the best practices from Alzheimer’s associations and other organisations around the world, including an overview of Dementia, effective communication, understanding behaviour, care-worker issues and support services.
Mr. Francis Wong, Regional Director Alzheimer’s Disease International, Asia Pacific, says: “Many countries have a high reliance on foreign expert trainers and are inconsistent in the quality of training materials and approach for Dementia care. By training caregivers to be better equipped to face the unique challenges of Dementia, we will be able to empower countries to manage the program themselves. ADI-APRO will continue to nurture and support the Trainers after the Train-the-Trainer program.
Mr Ong Eng Joo, Vice Chairman ADFM, being tasked with the role of developing Dementia education in Malaysia says: “We are very excited about the program as it heralds the dawn of structured Dementia education in the country. The participants will form the core members who are capable of leading, adapting materials within context, and training approaches to suit our requirements. Our next major thrust in Dementia education to be done on a nation-wide basis will benefit the Dementia-affected community in the country.”
CaregiverAsia, an Asian care company headquartered in Singapore, specialises in the business of care services. It connects Careseekers with professional freelance caregivers via its online marketplace www.caregiverasia.com round the clock.
One of the sponsor of the above DCS Train-the-Trainer program in Malaysia, CaregiverAsia works with ADI-APRO in support of improving care for persons with Dementia. Ms Yeo Wan Ling, CEO and Co-founder of CaregiverAsia, says: “CaregiverAsia is pleased to sponsor and support this DCS Train-the-Trainer program with ADI. With the projected increased in persons with Dementia in Asia in the next 25 years, we believe that it is imperative for professionals to be trained and well-equipped with knowledge and skills in Dementia care. Continued training such as these conducted by ADI-APRO are much needed so that we can grow the pool of Dementia and Alzheimer’s professionals in the region. CaregiverAsia currently has approximately 10 such caregivers – ranging from medical escorts to art therapists specialising in Dementia care – listing their services on our online marketplace, but we need many more of such professionals to meet the rising demand of the future.” Ms Yeo continued: “August 2016 is also the month that CaregiverAsia is devoting to Mental Wellness. We are focused on sharing information to generate greater awareness on the importance of mental well-being for all.”
Asia Pacific will see one the greatest proportionate increases of persons living with Dementia by 2050. The ADI Asia Pacific Office plays a key role in the region, strengthening the capacity of Alzheimer’s associations through advocacy, training, research-development and strengthening internal organizations. By providing support for 17 countries in this way, members in the Asia Pacific region are able to extend their own activities and develop independent resources for improved dementia understanding, care and advocacy with their governments.
Datuk Dr Yim Khai Kee, Chairman – Executive Committee ADFM, says: “ADFM is confident that the program is a platform for ADFM to move to be self-reliant in providing appropriate Dementia care training. ADFM is thankful for all of the support that has been given by all partners, and is committed to
chart the next phase of activities aimed at educating the public about Dementia and helping caregivers in their difficult journey of caring for their loved ones.
About Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI)
ADI is the international federation of 85 Alzheimer associations around the world, in official relations with the World Health Organization. ADI’s vision is an improved quality of life for people with dementia and their families throughout the world. ADI believes that the key to winning the fight against dementia lies in a unique combination of global solutions and local knowledge. As such, it works locally, by empowering Alzheimer associations to promote and offer care and support for persons with dementia and their carers, while working globally to focus attention on dementia and campaign for policy change from governments. For more information, please visit www.alz.co.uk.
Alzheimer’s Disease Foundation Malaysia (ADFM)
Alzheimer’ Disease Foundation Malaysia (ADFM) is a non-profit organization formed in 1979 with the objective of helping people with dementia and their caregivers in the country. ADFM supports a wide network of support groups throughout Malaysia to empower them to promote and offer care and support for people with dementia and their carers. ADFM’s vision is an improved quality of life for people with dementia and their families in the country. Besides that, ADFM plays the role of promoting greater awareness of dementia, besides advocating for the dementia community in Malaysia. For more information please visit: www.adfm.org.my.
About Alzheimer’s Disease Association (ADA)
The Alzheimer’s Disease Association (ADA) is a Singapore based non-profit organisation formed in 1990 by a group of concerned medical doctors and healthcare professionals as a result of the growing concern for the needs of persons with dementia and their families. At that time, nobody knew much about dementia, so it was important for ADA to raise awareness about dementia and to lead Singapore in the management and support of this debilitating illness. Today ADA supports over 1,000 persons with dementia and their caregivers through their six dementia care centres, caregiver support services, training and consultancy, as well as a weekday dementia helpline and eldersitting services in the homes of people with dementia. Central to their work is the Person Centered Care approach which they value highly in their dealings with persons with dementia while at the same time, acknowledging the importance of the caregivers. For more information, please visit: www.alz.org.sg.
About CaregiverAsia
CaregiverAsia, owned and managed by CGA Holdings, is an award-winning Asian care company headquartered in Singapore, specialising in the business of care services. It connects Careseekers with professional freelance Caregivers via its online marketplace. Care is available on hand, 24/7, just a click away. Through our online and offline proprietary care platforms, CaregiverAsia aims to transform the way that care is delivered – by motivating, empowering and mobilising individuals and communities to care for people around them. CaregiverAsia aims to be home to five million accredited and certified Caregivers in Asia Pacific and the USA by 2017, and has offices in Singapore, Malaysia, USA, China, Hong Kong/ Macau, South Korea and Vietnam. For more information please visit: www.caregiverasia.com
For media enquiries, please contact:
Ong Eng Joo
Vice Chairman – Executive Committee
Alzheimer’s Disease Foundation Malaysia
+60 16322 3892
Aileene Thangaveloo
CaregiverAsia
Email: aileene@caregiverasia.com