The Raja Permaisuri Perak, Tuanku Zara Salim inaugurated the BebeLEC Daycare Centre building, which is specifically catered for dementia patients, at Jalan Lang, Padang Temak last Wednesday.
Her Majesty was accompanied by the President of the Perak State Women’s Charity and Efforts, Datin Seri Aezer Zubin, who also agreed to sign the plaque before visiting the centre.
Also present were Deputy Minister of Education, Senator Dato’ Dr. Mah Hang Soon and Chairman of the Perak Dementia Association, Professor Dr. Esther Ebenezer.
Her Majesty also agreed to launch a short guide book on dementia titled ‘Is Forgetfulness Something Normal?’
Meanwhile, according to Esther Ebenezer, BebeLEC started operating in July last year and is the first dementia centre in the country to have a therapeutic garden and a virtual forest for cognitive stimulation.
She said in addition to music therapy, the centre provides reflexology, beauty care, a salon and a gymnasium to promote physical and mental health for residents aged 60 and above who suffer from the disease.
“It is important for those with early symptoms to get an accurate diagnosis in order to be given the necessary treatment to manage symptoms and maintain quality of life.
“Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease or depletion of brain nerve cells that occurs gradually and progressively.
“It is the main cause of dementia, which is a variety of symptoms or syndromes that arise due to the deterioration of brain function,” she said.
The centre currently has 20 dementia patients between 60 and 93 years old under the care of volunteers.
The operating hours of this centre is from 8 am to 5 pm every day.
by Rosli Mansor Bin Ahmad Razali
