Fostering Empathy and Connection in Building a Dementia-Friendly Community

Workshop Facilitator: Dr Constance Chan, Social Services Manager, Yan Oi Tong

As dementia continues to rise across Asia, the need for compassionate, community-driven responses has never been more urgent. This workshop spotlights the pioneering work of Yan Oi Tong (YOT), a leading non-profit in Hong Kong that has been transforming dementia care since 1999.

Through a blend of storytelling, service innovation, and public education, participants will explore:

• The shifting landscape of dementia in Singapore, Hong Kong, and the region
• YOT’s person-centered approach, including its Memory Center and dementia-specific daycare services
• Creative interventions like Play Intervention for Dementia (PID) and immersive Dementia Simulation Games that foster empathy and reduce stigma
• Strategies for building inclusive environments in homes, workplaces, and public spaces
• Collaborative models that engage caregivers, frontline workers, and community stakeholders

The session culminates in a call to action: to reframe dementia not as not to be feared, but as a human experience to be understood - with dignity, empathy, and connection at its core.

The workshop will be held in the Boardroom of Oldham Theatre, Level 3.

This workshop is part of the DBSF x SUSS Memory & Cognitive Health Community Programme.

The DBSF x SUSS Memory and Cognitive Health Community Programme is a pioneering initiative in the region aimed at promoting the cognitive, emotional and social well-being of older adults through reminiscence-based engagement. It is a four-year collaborative initiative spanning Singapore, Hong Kong SAR (China), the People’s Republic of China, Chinese Taipei, Indonesia, and India.

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