Areas Of Care
Dementia Care
What is Dementia?
Dementia is a condition which involves loss of memory, language, problem-solving and other cognitive abilities that are severe enough to interfere with daily life.
Dementia is typically caused by abnormal brain changes. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia.
These changes trigger a decline in cognitive abilities, severe enough to impair daily life and independent function. They also affect behaviour, feelings and relationships.
What are the signs and symptoms of Dementia?
- Memory loss
- Difficulty performing familiar tasks
- Problem with language
- Disorientation to time and place
- Poor or impaired judgement
- Problem keeping track of things
- Misplacing things
- Changes in mood and behaviour
- Trouble with images and spatial relationships
- Withdrawal from work or social activities
When is professional help needed?
Experiencing memory loss that affects daily life
Having difficulty with familiar tasks or managing daily routines
Showing changes in personality, mood or behaviour
Feeling confused, disoriented or lost even in familiar places
Facing challenges in communication or decision-making
Requiring support for caregivers to better manage care at home
The SLH Difference
Comprehensive Care, Every Step of the Way
From hospital to home, we provide a full spectrum of dementia care services — ensuring seamless and continuous support throughout your care journey.
Holistic Care Philosophy
Our Clinical, Social, Pastoral care model addresses your physical, social and emotional needs, restoring you beyond wellness to wholeness.
Award-Winning Excellence
Nationally recognised for service quality and innovation, we deliver dementia care that restores comfort, dignity and connection for patients and their loved ones.
Your Care, Our Collective Expertise
Our team of healthcare professionals works together to design a personalised care plan tailored to your unique needs.
Our Holistic Dementia Care Services
Our team manages symptoms so you can maintain comfort, dignity and connection:
- Prescription and review of medications to manage behaviour, memory and mood
- Symptom relief for anxiety, restlessness or sleep disturbances
- Nutritional support and guidance to maintain health and prevent weight loss
- Regular assessments to monitor cognitive and physical well-being
This also includes compassionate nursing care, with support for feeding, personal hygiene, toileting, and skin care to promote comfort and prevent complications.
Our rehabilitation team supports patients in maintaining comfort, independence, and dignity through personalised therapy, including:
Physiotherapy
- Exercises to work on walking, strength, balance, aerobic activity and flexibility to help in regaining functions
- Pain-relieving techniques
- Caregiver training and prescription of mobility aid upon discharge
Occupational Therapy
- Retraining on Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)
- Participating in meaningful activities
- Prescription of suitable specialised equipment to maximise independence
- Home modification
- Caregiver training on behavioural techniques and activities to engage patients such as doll therapy, gardening, life book and Namaste Care
Speech Therapy
- Swallowing and communication assessment and intervention
- Caregiver training on swallowing management
Art Therapy
- Foster self-expression
- Improve emotional well-being
Music Therapy
- Improve interpersonal connections
- Support physical and cognitive health
We journey with you and your family, offering practical, emotional and spiritual guidance along the way.
- Recreational and group activities to encourage connection and participation
- Counselling and social work support to address emotional, practical and financial concerns
- Pastoral and spiritual care to bring comfort, hope and purpose
We support families and caregivers with knowledge, guidance and emotional care, helping them provide the best support for their loved ones.
- Caregiver education and training to build confidence in dementia care
- Support groups and counselling to strengthen emotional resilience
- Connecting families with community resources for sustained support
Dementia Go-To Point
St Luke’s Hospital is a designated Dementia Go-To Point (GTP)—a community touchpoint that provides information, resources, and referrals to dementia-related services.
We also serve as a safe return point for persons with dementia who appear lost or are unable to identify themselves or find their way home. Our trained staff will assist in identifying the individual and help reunite them with their caregivers.
If you are with someone who appears lost and may have dementia, please accompany them to St Luke’s Hospital. Approach our Security Guard, Service Ambassador, St Luke’s Community Clinic (office hours), or Ward 1D (after office hours), and our staff will be ready to assist.
Continuity of Care
At St Luke’s Hospital, we deliver holistic and personalised dementia care that extends beyond our wards.
Our integrated services ensure a smooth transition from hospital to home and community, providing continuous support every step of the way.
Government Subsidy
If you’re a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident, you may qualify for subsidies based on the National Means Test.
Reach out to check your eligibility — we’re here to help.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dementia
Dementia is not usually passed down directly from parents to children. Most cases, including Alzheimer’s disease, are linked to ageing and a mix of health and lifestyle factors, not just genes.
However, rare types of early-onset dementia (before age 65) can run in families due to inherited gene changes. If several close family members developed dementia at a young age, it’s best to speak to a doctor about your concerns.
Dementia damages brain cells and disrupts how they communicate, affecting memory, thinking, and behaviour. As a result, individuals may lose learned skills and revert to simpler, more childlike behaviours. More information here: https://www.slh.org.sg/why-do-dementia-patients-become-like-children/
People with dementia typically begin to forget family members in the later stages, when memory loss becomes more severe. As the condition progresses, recognising loved ones can become difficult, although emotional connections may remain.
Dementia currently has no cure, as it is caused by progressive damage to the brain. However, treatments and support can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
St Luke’s Hospital is not a government hospital. It is a community hospital and a voluntary welfare organisation (VWO) located in Bukit Batok, Singapore.
While it is not directly operated by the government, St Luke’s Hospital works closely with public healthcare institutions and receives government support and subsidies. This allows eligible patients to receive subsidised care.
