We professionalise care relationships

“One example is Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, which uses a care technique called Humanitude, where healthcare workers are trained to focus on aspects like gaze, speech and touch. They sit the patients upright when addressing them, and when escorting patients, they guide gently by placing a hand on the back instead of reaching for the patients’ arms. This can help patients with dementia to remain calm and co-operative, while maintaining their dignity.”

“Singapore can draw inspiration from alternative approaches to dementia care, such as the Humanitude™ approach. Alternative care models can allow for more client-centric and effective care. Organisations around the world which have adopted the Humanitude approach, an alternative care model, have observed measurable improvements in client scores on the Behavioral Pathology in Alzheimer’s Rating Scale (BEHAVE-AD).”

“I learnt how to establish relationship with the residents through Gaze, Speech, Touch and Verticality. All that we learnt in Humanitude™ training must be applied in the wards, to have the real impact. I will encourage my colleagues to go for this training.”