By Anne Das
Ipoh’s first Trivia Night for dementia awareness, held on July 27, 2024, at Dewan Komuniti Taman Cempaka, brought together 260 enthusiastic participants for an evening of fun, learning, and community spirit. Co-organized by Dementia Café Ipoh, The Dementia Society Perak, and Santunan Kasih Perak, the event was a vibrant mix of dementia patients, cancer survivors, stroke survivors, caregivers, and community members.
The night began with a heartfelt message from Mr. Simon Lam, a forensic psychiatric nurse practitioner, who also served as the quiz master. His dual role added a personal touch to the event as he guided participants through the trivia competition and spoke about the essential role of love and understanding in dementia support.
Prof. Dr. Esther Gunasegali, President of the Dementia Society Perak, highlighted the growing urgency of dementia care, while Dr. Suresh Subramaniam, Chairman of the Malaysian Medical Association Perak, emphasised the importance of prevention and staying active.
The trivia competition featured four exciting rounds of questions, with participants forming teams and eagerly tackling a variety of topics. Mini-contests and activities between quiz rounds kept the energy high while the background music took us down memory lane. Mr. KT Pillai, the charismatic master of ceremonies, ensured everyone was entertained and engaged throughout the evening.
Originally aiming to raise RM6,000, the event exceeded expectations with over RM10,000 collected. These funds will support future activities and raise awareness about dementia. Participants also received Tena adult diapers and Discreet products, courtesy of Vinda Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.
The success of Trivia Night was bolstered by support from industry players such as Vinda Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., Restaurant Maharaj Ipoh, Sunshine Qualicare Sdn. Bhd., Ngan Nyin Thumbs, and Infinitas Technologies (M) Sdn. Bhd., along with generous anonymous donors.
About the Societies & Co-Organizers
Dementia Café Ipoh: Organised by Persatuan Kesedaran Demensia Ipoh, this monthly gathering offers fun and learning sessions, providing a supportive environment for care partners and persons with dementia. Contact Calvin Chong at 016-790 7649 or email calvinchongcaywern@yahoo.com .
Dementia Society Perak: Established in 2010, this society raises public awareness about dementia and offers assistance to individuals and caregivers. Contact them at 05-5060806 or email tdsperak@gmail.com
Santunan Kasih Perak: A government program that creates a support system for caregivers and seniors, facilitating the sharing of information related to dementia care. Contact Sarina Mokhtar at 019-300 9735 or email sunshinequalicare@gmail.com .
Kudos to Pak Peter, founder and organizer of the Dementia Cafe Ipoh, who brought Trivia Night to Ipoh through collaboration with Simon Lam. Ipoh Echo and community wish him well and a speedy recovery.
The inaugural Trivia Night not only surpassed its fundraising goals but also brought the community together in a meaningful way. With the success of this event, Ipoh has set a new standard for collective efforts in raising awareness and support for dementia care.
Keep an eye out for future events as we continue to champion this vital cause!
