Turning Dementia into a Dance Party
Picture a room buzzing with laughs, melodic voices, and a few people dancing like they’ve just discovered a new beat. Some folks sit, grin, and chat while others sway. That’s the vibe at a Memories Café session—a lively blend of music, movement, and good‑vibes that even outshines a birthday bash.
When the Diagnosis Hits the Fan
But let’s rewind. For many of these brave souls, the party was a dream that suddenly turned into a sob story the night their loved ones were labeled with dementia. Take Belinda Seet, whose mother Katherine was tagged with Alzheimer’s in 2011. “I cried a ton,” Belinda confides, “because every clip on TV made it look like people just vanished.”
She wasn’t ready to let her mother fade into the background. Drawing on her experience as a caregiver when her own father battled cancer, she decided: “I’ll make her days as joyful as possible, and stash every memory like a precious coin.” If she doesn’t, the memories she creates will be for her alone.
What Dementia Is (and Isn’t)
- It speeds up brain‑cell death—think of it as a demolition crew in your mind.
- Results in memory loss, muddled thinking, and personality tweaks.
- Across the globe, a new case pops up every three seconds.
- In Singapore, about 45,000 seniors are touched by some form—projecting 187,000 by 2050.
- There’s no cure yet, but Alzheimer’s meds can ease symptoms and sometimes slow things down.
Belinda’s Playbook for Sticking with Her Mom
Her doctor urged mental exercise. Belinda ticked that box by turning knitting into a delightful game:
- Spin‑up a new pattern when the pattern gets stale.
- Invite her mother to holiday outings and friend meet‑ups.
- Keep the days peppered with small wins.
Enter Memories Café: The “Dance‑with‑Dementia” Club
Launched in 2014 by Singapore’s Alzheimer’s Disease Association (ADA), the café is a weekly 2‑hour fest that mixes singing, drumming, dancing, and movement. After the groove‑session, there’s an hour of shared lunch and giggles.
The café is housed in everyday dining spots—think cafés downtown—so people with dementia get a chance to shine in public, nudging the stigma downward.
Friends of the Café
- Over The Counter at the National Library
- Soup restaurant chain
- Food for Thought at the National Museum of Singapore
Why Caregivers Love It
Ruth Wong, a spirited ADA program exec, points out that caregivers often juggle medicine, showering, and meals. “We’re good with the basics, but social and emotional care slips through the cracks.” She hopes the café bridges that gap, giving both sides a chance to laugh, dance, and feel heard.
A Two‑Year Love Affair
Belinda and Katherine have been attending for roughly two years now— the café is their “break room” with a twist. “The caregivers need a break, too,” she smiles.
While Katherine might squirm at the idea of going out—“I’ll forget tomorrow. I’ll forget again”—Belinda counters, “Even if you forget, tomorrow’s a fresh start.”
It’s More Than a Party—It’s a Family
Lee Yeong Wei, who’s been facilitating the sessions for two years, frames the café as an hour of shared silliness: “You listen, you laugh, and you forget the fear for a minute.” In a society that often treats dementia patients with the gentlest hand, he argues that “kinds of restrictions” can feel stifling. Instead, challenge the fears: learn to dance with them.
Over time, he sees dementia fade from the conversation. “I’ve learned to look past the label and see each person,’” he shares. Belinda echoes that too—“Most folks freak when they hear ‘dementia,’ but once the café starts, the perspective flips. Remember, it’s not all doom; there’s fun at every step.”
Quick Takeaway
Memories Café isn’t just a program—it’s a community where seniors, caregivers, and the whole neighborhood dance, laugh, and see beyond the diagnosis. The joy? It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s exactly what everyone needs.
If you’re reading this, consider donating to the Alzheimer’s Disease Association to keep the music alive for those who need it most.
