02/09/2025

LYFE TUESDAY | SEP 2, 2025

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Bridging hearts, minds o Importance of advancing dementia literacy as care can be transformative if backed by right knowledge

D EMENTIA is a growing challenge in Malaysia, but understanding and managing it remains fragmented and complex. Pharmacist-academic and Merdeka Award Grant for International Attachment recipient Dinesh Sangarran Ramachandram is partnering with the University of Sheffield – a global leader in dementia care – to co-create culturally tailored tools that speak directly to Malaysian communities. From hands-on toolkits for caregivers and pharmacists to simple digital trackers, they are designing solutions that truly fit local needs. But this is not just about tools. It is about building a stronger foundation in education – weaving dementia literacy into university courses and student projects, so that future healthcare professionals are ready to meet Malaysia’s ageing population head-on. This international collaboration will open doors to expert insights and scalable strategies, helping Malaysia bridge gaps in dementia care and medication management with empathy, culture and science. Here, Dinesh, who is also Monash University Malaysia lecturer (School of Pharmacy), explained more: What inspired you to focus your research on dementia education and medication management? This work is deeply personal. I have walked alongside my own family through the challenges of dementia. It made me realise how isolating and overwhelming it can be, especially when it comes to understanding the condition and managing medications safely. As a pharmacist and academic, I knew I had the insight and responsibility to create tools that could truly help. But more than that, I felt a deep drive to do something meaningful, not just in research, but in real lives. Why do you think dementia is still poorly understood in Malaysia? Dementia is often seen through a cultural lens of “normal ageing”. There’s a silence around the condition, fuelled by stigma, limited awareness and a lack of accessible resources in our local languages. We have not made it a household conversation yet, and that is what needs to change. What are some of the most common misconceptions about dementia that you have encountered? Many people think dementia is just about memory loss or believe there is nothing that can be done once diagnosed. But dementia goes far beyond forgetfulness, it affects behaviour, communication and decision-making. And the idea that “nothing can help” is simply untrue. While we cannot cure it, we can care for it and that care can be transformative if families and caregivers are equipped with the right knowledge. Misinformation can lead to real harm, especially when it comes to managing medications. That is why empowering families is not just important, it is lifesaving. How does culture and language influence how we understand and talk about dementia? In Malaysia, we often soften or avoid

Dinesh says with dementia, even small errors can lead to falls, hospitalisations or worse. simple. When caregivers understand what the medications do, when to give them and what to watch for, it reduces the guesswork. That lowers errors and gives families confidence, which in turn reduces stress. What are the most urgent gaps in dementia preparedness in Malaysia right now? Early recognition and a coordinated response are key. Too many families still struggle without a clear diagnosis or structured support, especially outside urban centres. While a national action plan is now in place, what we need most is momentum. I am working alongside others to bring that plan to life through education, care coordination and safer medication practices that reach across health and community sectors. How do you plan to scale or implement this work nationwide? Through partnerships. We are already working with universities, NGOs, digital platforms and healthcare professionals. The goal is to embed this toolkit into existing care pathways and make it accessible via micro-credential courses, apps and outreach events. It is not just about publishing research, it is about making impact real, practical and widespread. How can everyday Malaysians support or benefit from what you are building? Start by talking about dementia. Learn the signs. Ask your pharmacist or doctor the right questions. If you are a caregiver, you are not alone. And if you are not, you can still play a part by helping to reduce stigma and spreading awareness. This toolkit is for all Malaysians because dementia does not discriminate. We all have a role in building a dementia-ready nation. Where do you hope dementia care in Malaysia will be 10 years from now? I hope it will be something we talk about without shame. That families will have access to culturally relevant support. That no one, urban or rural, feels alone in this journey. And that Malaysia becomes a leader in compassionate, community-driven dementia care.

Many people think dementia is just about memory loss. – 123RFPIC

people who need it most.

clinical issue, it is a caregiver issue. That is why it is a central part of the toolkit I am co-developing to empower families, not overwhelm them. What does a ‘culturally sensitive’ approach to care actually look like in practice? It means recognising that no two families are the same. A culturally sensitive approach respects traditions, language, values and caregiving styles. It avoids medical jargon and instead speaks to people’s lived realities, whether that is a caregiver in a kampung or a working adult in the city. We are working closely with local stakeholders, NGOs and healthcare professionals to ensure these tools resonate on the ground. How will your collaboration with the University of Sheffield shape the resources you are creating? It is an exciting opportunity to learn from world-leading dementia researchers, especially the Experts-ALS team. I will bring home best practices from the UK, but not copy-paste. Instead, I will adapt what works into prototypes that are truly Malaysian. This global-local exchange is the heart of the project and a chance to build bridges between research and the

tough topics such as dementia. Terms such as nyanyuk carry stigma, not understanding. Without clear, compassionate words in Bahasa or Tamil, families struggle to talk about symptoms or care. Language shapes action and that is why culturally sensitive tools are so important. Can you tell us more about the dementia literacy toolkit you are developing? The Dementia Literacy and Medication Toolkit is designed for real Malaysian families, caregivers, even healthcare workers. It breaks down complex topics such as early signs and medication safety using simple language, visual aids and culturally familiar examples. It is not just a booklet, it is a bridge to better care, co-created with caregivers, tested in workshops and shared through micro-credential courses and digital platforms. Why is medication management such a critical issue for dementia patients and caregivers? Because the consequences are serious. Studies show over 50% of caregivers make medication errors, missing doses, double-dosing or giving the wrong meds. With dementia, even small errors can lead to falls, hospitalisations or worse. Medication safety is not just a

How are students and future pharmacists being trained differently as a result of your work? We are reimagining how dementia and medication safety is taught, moving beyond textbooks into simulations, patient stories and tech-based learning. Our workshops involve pharmacy students in real-world conversations with caregivers. It is empathy-building, skills-based and practical. Because these future pharmacists will not just dispense meds, they will be supporting families through some of their hardest times. community workshops and caregiver training play in your overall project? They are the heart of it. Toolkits alone are not enough. Through community outreach, workshops and caregiver programmes, we make sure the tools are usable and that people feel seen, heard and supported. We are working closely with NGOs, healthcare providers, and caregiver networks to do this right. How can this toolkit help reduce caregiver stress or medical errors? It makes complex information What role do