Improving our Memory, Tackling Dementia
April 22, 2023

At present, 92,000 Singaporeans suffer from dementia. This number is only expected to steadily increase in the coming years, being expected to reach a staggering high of 150,000 in 2030.
‘On The Pulse’ (CNA, April 2023) investigates the causes of dementia, as well as the innovations and preventative measures that have emerged because of dementia’s pressing relevance in Singapore. The first episode documents the developments in dementia treatment and discusses the ways in which Singaporeans innovate to help improve dementia patients’ quality of life.
To understand the role of memory in facilitating learning and preventing the onset of dementia, Assistant Professor Stephen Pan (NUS Psychology) was consulted for his expert advice on the techniques one can use to bolster their memory.
As Director of the Learning Sciences Laboratory, Asst. Prof. Pan investigates effective learning techniques and technologies to facilitate the understanding and retention of information.
In a simple experiment with the host, Asst. Prof. Pan reveals the difference in the effectiveness of writing and reading in memorising information. He notes that writing involves both reading and the engagement of motor movements, which makes it more effective in training one’s memory. He attests that writing is an opportunity to organise thoughts and generate ideas that tap on one’s memory in the process, which can help an individual remember information.
To improve our memory and prevent the onset of dementia, Asst. Prof. Pan suggests the incorporation of writing, routine, and review into our daily lives in the form of journaling and the use of flashcards. By reviewing information multiple times over a period of time, one’s memory is made stronger.
Watch the documentary episode here: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/watch/on-the-pulse/episode-1-3388461