Finding forgiveness while caring for a father with dementia

Leong Jui Chuan, also known as JC, has developed a stronger connection with her 83-year-old father, Leong Choong Mun, since he was diagnosed with dementia. During a conversation, her father expressed regret over a past action, saying, "If I have done anything wrong in the past, I want to apologise." Although JC is unsure if he was referring to a specific incident or if it was due to his dementia, she appreciated the tender moment.

Growing up in Klang, JC remembered the resentment she felt when her father transferred her from a Chinese primary school to a private school in Subang for a better English education. She struggled with the language and felt inferior to her classmates. Now, JC, a travel consultant who is married with two children, visits her father several times a week.

They spend time at cafés, the pasar malam, playing board games, going for walks, and singing at karaokes. JC also incorporates simple facial exercises into their routine, which help strengthen her father's facial muscles. Despite the challenges, JC has learned to adjust her caregiving approach, understanding the importance of routine and avoiding contradictions.

The bond between them has grown, and JC has worked towards forgiving her father for past hurts in order to move forward and create new memories together.