The value and importance of peer support groups for people diagnosed with d

The Value of Peer Support for People Living with Dementia

When cognitive decline or dementia enters a person’s life, it brings confusion, fear, and isolation—not just for the individual but for those around them. While medical and activity-based support are available, peer-to-peer supportremains one of the most powerful yet underdeveloped pillars of care. In this heartfelt session, Emily Ong, a long-time dementia advocate, shares why peer support is essential for emotional resilience, acceptance, and dignity after diagnosis. Discover how peer-led communities can restore hope, build confidence, and create meaningful connections for people living with dementia across Asia.

Synopsis:

The value and importance of peer support groups for people diagnosed with dementia

When an unexpected and uninvited visitor knocks on your door, like how cognitive decline and dementia can knock on anyone’s door, the initial shock, despair, and helplessness are typical human responses. Your world collapses within the first few minutes, and it grew darker over the weeks and months as the reality sank in.

Yet, people diagnosed with cognitive decline, like Mild Cognitive Impairment and dementia, are often left alone and not receiving the counselling support to help them work through these raw and mixed emotions at the initial diagnosis and along the journey as they progressively decline in their abilities. We are expected to accept it, live with it, and if we fail to do so, people will say we are in denial without even considering the possible why.

Peer-to-peer support for people living with cognitive decline and dementia is a vital component of post-diagnostic support. However, it is almost non-existent in Southeast Asia and ASEAN countries. People generally think that the activity-based support provided by dementia day care centres is similar thing. A peer support group does not equate to activity-based support.

I hope this presentation will convince you of its significance and the benefits of having peer support groups for people living with dementia, just like caregiver support groups.

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