Fashion for Dementia: SingHealth Community Hospitals and NAFA

​Partner to Address Dementia Through Innovative Design

MEDIA RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Singapore, 29 May 2025 – For individuals living with dementia, even the simple act of getting dressed can present significant challenges, as cognitive decline affects their ability to manage clothing choices and dressing routines.

Recognising this often-overlooked aspect of dementia care, SingHealth Community Hospitals (SCH) and the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) have launched their latest ‘Fashion for Dementia’ initiative. This project marries healthcare insight with fashion innovation to address the unique dressing needs of people living with dementia.

The collaboration features adaptive, stylish clothing designs created by final-year students from NAFA’s Fashion Business and Management programme. These students worked closely with SCH’s dementia patients and their caregivers to understand their daily experiences and dressing difficulties. This initiative comes at a critical time, with dementia cases in Singapore projected to exceed 150,000 by 2030.

“Dementia is often misunderstood because its challenges are not always visible. Individuals may experience disconnection, isolation, and a loss of identity, while caregivers frequently face emotional fatigue and burnout,” said Dr Bryan Han, Director of the Dementia & Cognitive Care Service at SCH. “Through this partnership, we hope to foster greater empathy and drive conversations around accessibility, culture, and inclusive care in our community.”

Inspired by local fashion labels, the students’ designs blend aesthetic appeal with practical functionality, addressing common dressing challenges faced by individuals with dementia.

“Those living with dementia may struggle with orientation, fine motor control, balance, and fabric sensitivity. I’ve observed how clean lines and minimalistic designs can significantly impact our patients’ dressing routine during therapy sessions. Complex patterns can be overwhelming while simple, familiar silhouettes can reduce their visual stress and allow them to focus purely on mastering their dressing skills,” explained Ms Lo Chen Ju, Head, Occupational Therapy, SCH. “Thoughtful, dignified clothing can uplift mood and wellbeing – not just for the individual, but also their caregivers.”

Key adaptive features in the student-designed collection include:

• Simple, loose-fitting garments with minimal or alternative closures, such as magnetic or Velcro fasteners, large zipper pulls, elastic or adjustable waistbands, and wide arms/legs openings.
• Reversible or front-back friendly designs to reduce confusion and accommodate dressing errors.
• Side-opening trousers for easier dressing while seated.
• Clean lines, minimalistic aesthetics, and familiar silhouettes to reduce sensory overload.
• Visible patched pockets for functional and intuitive storage.

The collection was showcased at NAFA's graduate runway show on 29 May 2025, illustrating that adaptive clothing can be both functional and fashionable – redefining how design can improve lives for people living with dementia.

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About SingHealth Community Hospitals
SCH comprises Sengkang Community Hospital, Outram Community Hospital and the future Eastern Community Hospital, where the focus goes beyond healthcare to health as we seek to deliver person-centred care to achieve health goals with our patients. As part of the SingHealth RHS, SCH believes in working closely with community partners to allow patients to receive holistic and seamless care as they get well in SCH and stay well in the community.