Imagine walking into a room but not being able to remember why you entered it in the first place.

As you try to recall what you were doing, your brain starts to buzz like it’s full of hornets.

So you look for somewhere to sit, only to realise you have no idea whose house you are in.

 

You begin to hear the sound of footsteps.

You turn to see three people standing in the doorway. They look familiar but you are unable to place a finger on who they are.

“Ma,” they say with a worried look on their faces.

You are confused and the buzzing in your head is becoming more intense.

Dementia refers to a group of diseases and conditions that affect the brain and its ability to function.

A person with dementia may experience difficulty in recalling information they have recently learned, following plans, doing familiar tasks and more. 

More than 50 million people worldwide are affected by dementia (Source: Alzheimer’s Disease International, 2017). 

In Singapore, 1 in 10 people aged 60 and older has dementia, and half of those above 85 have it. It is estimated that 82,000 people in Singapore today live with dementia, with the number expected to grow beyond 100,000 by 2030 (Source: Institute of Mental Health). 

The next thing you know, these three people are saying goodbye to you.

You feel a sense of sadness building up inside you as you watch them leave but you have no idea why.

You walk into the kitchen to see a huge meal on the dining table.

There are four bowls of rice on the table. Who are the other three bowls of rice for and why am I eating alone, you wonder.

According to a study done by Singapore Management University (SMU) and Alzheimer’s Disease Association (ADA) in 2019, 72% of persons with dementia feel rejection and loneliness and more than 56% of them say that people treat them as less competent.

With the high stigma levels towards dementia, many of those with it feel ashamed about their condition and find it difficult opening up to others and seeking help.

Ashamed. Rejected. Lonely

These are just some of the emotional states that people with dementia go through on a daily basis in this never-ending nightmare.

Know someone with dementia or simply want to have a better understanding of how people with dementia are affected by the condition? 

In the short story Rose, starring actress Xiang Yun, director and producer Derrick Lui gives a heart-wrenching look into the life of a person with dementia. 

Watch it now.