Dementia-friendly mall promotes inclusion
Representatives and participants at the Forget Me Not initiative at Megah Rise Mall.
On 4 September 2026, Megah Rise Mall created a dementia-friendly and inclusive environment for people living with dementia, their families and carers through the “Forget Me Not Project”, an initiative by PPB Properties in collaboration with the Alzheimer’s Disease Foundation Malaysia (ADFM).
Launched as part of World Alzheimer’s Month 2026, the initiative aims to make the mall more supportive and accessible through practical measures, including dementia-friendly support kits, pathway guide stickers and other resources. PPB Properties and ADFM are also equipping mall personnel with dementia awareness and basic care training.
The project recognises that creating a dementia-friendly environment requires more than physical changes. Mall staff, security personnel and other frontline teams need the knowledge and confidence to recognise when someone may need assistance and respond with patience and understanding.
Dr Dinesh Sangarran Ramachandram and his team receiving a token of appreciation for their contribution to the initiative.
ADFM brings its expertise in dementia advocacy, education and community support to the initiative, while PPB Properties applies these principles to create a more inclusive mall environment. Together, they have developed resources to help people living with dementia navigate Megah Rise more confidently and safely.
Monash University Malaysia is contributing to the initiative through the School of Pharmacy academic Dinesh Sangarran Ramachandram, an Executive Committee member of ADFM, and members of the university’s MINDSPARK-winning Team Synapse@Memory Moves. He provided expert advice and comprehensive guidance on the design and development of the mall towards making it dementia-friendly.
Dr Dinesh subsequently brought in Monash students to emphasise an intergenerational approach to dementia, creating opportunities for younger generations to engage with and better understand people living with dementia.
The Monash University Malaysia team builds on its earlier work through AvantMind Matters MINDSPARK, which led to the Forget Me Not Café in April 2026. The café raised awareness of dementia and gave people living with dementia opportunities to participate meaningfully in the community.
The team has carried these principles into the Forget Me Not initiative at Megah Rise, helping extend the focus on dementia inclusion and community participation into a wider public setting.
People living with dementia, with their Dementia-Friendly Kits, joined by Tan Sri Hasmah Abdullah (Chairman of ADFM’s Executive Committee), and Audrey Lee (Group Head of Sustainability, PPB Group Berhad).
Through the collaboration, Monash supports efforts to improve understanding of dementia and encourages communities to create environments where people living with dementia can participate, connect and feel a sense of belonging.
The Forget Me Not Project brings together industry, dementia advocacy, academia and student-led innovation to create practical changes that make everyday community spaces more welcoming and supportive for people living with dementia.