ABOUT ADFM
Alzheimer’s Disease Foundation Malaysia (ADFM) is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by dementia. We raise awareness through public education, provide guidance and emotional support to caregivers, and offer training for those involved in dementia care.
ADFM also helps establish support groups, daycare centres, homecare services, and community corners, ensuring that no one has to face dementia alone. At ADFM, we believe in walking this journey together with compassion, understanding, and hope.
ADFM is a proud member of Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) and works closely with its Asia Pacific Regional Office (APRO). ADI currently comprises 105 member countries, with APRO representing 25 countries and several others in the process of joining through the ADI Member Development Programme.
CORPORATE VIDEO
Our History
Our Beginnings: A Story of Care and Commitment
The seeds of Alzheimer’s Disease Foundation Malaysia (ADFM) were sown in 1996, born from a personal experience. A member of the Rotary Club of Shah Alam (RCSA), whose mother was battling Alzheimer’s, saw a critical need and initiated the idea for a dedicated support foundation.
This vision quickly took shape. ADFM was officially registered in August 1997. Three years later, in September 1999, it achieved tax-exempt status, paving the way for greater community support.
From the outset, the Rotary Club of Shah Alam, as the founding partner, pledged a significant RM500,000 to establish ADFM. Their dedication was remarkable, especially considering the club had fewer than 40 members. Fundraising efforts included innovative projects like the Operafest Charity Performance ("Flower Drum Song") in 1998 and two Treasure Hunts (1998 and 1999). A crucial boost came from the Lee Foundation's generous donation of RM200,000, much of which was earmarked for Malaysia's first-ever Alzheimer’s Daycare Centre.
The RCSA's unwavering commitment did not go unnoticed. Rotary International commended their efforts, awarding the club the Significant Achievement Award in 1998 for this singular contribution to a vital cause.
ADFM also began building international connections early on. In 1998, it became a provisional member of Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI), the global umbrella organization for Alzheimer’s associations. This affiliation is reflected in ADFM's logo.
Finally, in February 2000, the Foundation established its Secretariat. This marked a pivotal step, enabling ADFM to launch the new millennium with a dedicated operational base, renewed resolve, and an ambitious agenda to advance the Alzheimer’s cause across Malaysia.
Key Historical Events of ADFM
1997 – Alzheimer’s Disease Foundation (ADFM) was formed on the 7th August 1997. The formation of ADFM was prompted by Rotary Club of Shah Alam to meet the needs of people with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and their caregivers and families in Malaysia. A small office was set up at the Spastic Centre in Petaling Jaya.
1998 – ADFM became a member of Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI), the umbrella body of National Alzheimer’s Associations worldwide. Joining ADI enabled ADFM to tap on the worldwide network of knowledge and development in dementia, building a strong framework and support structure.
2000 – The Foundation full secretariat was set up.
2002 – The first day-care centre was set up at No. 9, Lorong Bukit Raja, Taman Seputeh with 4 Alzheimer’s clients.
2006 – As demand grew, ADFM organised a charity dinner with Maybank and the Malaysian Contemporary Chinese Painting and Calligraphy Association at Menara Maybank on 13th December, reported by The Star on 12th December 2006.
2007 – With donor support, ADFM purchased a new building at No 6, Lorong 11/8E, Section 11, Petaling Jaya as the second day care centre and secretariat. It encouraged more dementia-care centres, including Johor Bahru (JOBADA), Ipoh, Malacca, Penang, Sabah, Sarawak, and Negeri Sembilan.
2009 – Officially opened the new day care centre on 10th January 2009, named Rumah Alzheimer’s, caring for 25–30 clients daily. Organized “UNFORGETTABLE-Konsert Amal Di Raja” on 14–15 November 2009 with DYMM Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Al-Haj as Guest of Honour.
2010 – Hosted the 13th Asia-Pacific Regional Conference of Alzheimer’s Disease International at Hotel Istana from 21–24 October 2010 with participation from ADI member countries.
2012 – Started dementia care skills training, launched National Dementia Caregivers Support Network, and Dementia Telephone Helpline. Held National Caregivers Conference “Sharing the Caring Today, Hope for The Future”.
2014 – Organized “Forget Me Not – Konsert Amal Di Raja” at KLCC Plenary Hall featuring Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, graced by DYMM Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Al-Haj.
2016 – Train-the-trainers Dementia Care Skills program with ADI & Alzheimer’s Disease Association Singapore, training 14 trainers including doctors, nurses, and caregivers.
2017 – Atria Management offered space for community activities, forming Atria-ADFM Community Corner (AACC), the first dementia-friendly community corner in Malaysia and Asia Pacific.
2019 – Hosted the 21st Asia-Pacific Regional Conference on Dementia from 16–18 August 2019 with over 110 local and international speakers.
2020 – Opened ADFM Resource and Learning Centre at PJ Old Town on 26th September, a new 2-storey building with café library and training rooms. Also trained a second batch of 15 trainers and 3 observers via virtual platform.
2022 – Worked with WHO and MOH to train 200 “Sukarelawan” from Jabatan Kebajikan Malaysia on Dementia Care Skills.
2024 – Trained 16 trainers with Jabatan Kesihatan Negeri Sarawak (JKNS) and participated in the launch of National Dementia Action Plan 2023–2030 by MOH on 1st October 2024.
Our Achievements
Daycare Centre
A daycare centre that provides dementia care for persons with dementia. With a humble beginning of 4 clients per day, ADFM is now caring for 25–30 clients a day at the current day care centre. Through its centre, ADFM has cared for around 500 persons with dementia.
The daycare centre also serves to set a basic standard of quality dementia care for persons with dementia; provide respite help for the caregivers; facilitated research and training for hospitals, universities and other institutions; and supported others who are keen in similar home care throughout the country.
Training on Dementia Care Skills (DCS)
The dementia care skill training is an important area where ADFM helps the dementia community. With the demographic and cultural background of the various races in the country, provision of dementia care skill is essential and helpful to the caregivers, care workers equipping them with the understanding, knowledge and skills to care for the persons living with dementia to live quality life and also to reduce caregiving stress.
In 2016, ADFM organized a train the trainers programme producing 14 trainers in dementia care skill training. Additional 15 trainers were trained in 2020. In total ADFM trained 29 qualified DCS trainers, comprising of doctors, nurses and caregivers; and these trainers have trained nearly 3000 caregivers/care workers from 2016–2020.
In Sept. 2020, ADFM set up “ADFM Resource and Learning Centre” at a 2-storey building in PJ Old Town housing a café library and training facilities for the community. The new centre will be a venue for classroom practical dementia care skill training.
In 2022, ADFM working with WHO and MOH provided training to 200 sukarelawan of Jabatan Kebajikan Malaysia over 6 regions throughout Malaysia, namely, Northern, Eastern, Central, Southern, Sabah and Sarawak.
In 2024, ADFM working with Jabatan Kesihatan Negeri Sarawak (JKNS) trained 16 DCS trainers, out of which 12 qualified as DCS trainers.
As at Aug 2025, a total of 109 trainers have been trained with Dementia Care Skills trainers who are qualified to train care workers, caregivers and allied healthcare professionals on dementia care skills. More trainers will be train to support the need of dementia care skills knowledge to help the persons with dementia.
Provision of Awareness, Education and Community Engagement
This is also one of the thrust of ADFM bringing greater awareness and education of the disease to the community, reducing stigma from the community towards the persons with dementia and family. Many activities and awareness talks were carried out to the community, some of which are co-held with other government agencies, corporate bodies and other NGOs.
In September each year, ADFM celebrates the World Alzheimer’s Month, an event celebrated by all dementia organizations throughout the world; bringing the community together to share, spread awareness on dementia and reduce stigma.
In 2017, ADFM set up the Atria-ADFM Community Corner (AACC) at the 3rd floor, Atria Shopping Gallery, Damansara Jaya, at the courtesy of OSK Properties; for ADFM sharing information on dementia awareness and community engagement by organizing various activities and talks on dementia and related topics.
On the 1st August 2025, ADFM COMMUNITY CENTRE moved from Atria Shopping Gallery to Megah Rise Mall. This new center will continue to provide community support to the dementia community.
Advocacy of National Policy
ADFM, working closely with ADI, reached out to the Ministry of the Health of Malaysia in 2019 on the development and implementation of the National Dementia Plan in the country. This is a very significant step forward in achieving a comprehensive national dementia care policy for the dementia population of the country.
ADFM has, in numerous occasions, participated in workshops and dialogues with MOH, working on the development and implementation of the National Dementia Plan planned for 2021.
On the 1st October 2024, MOH launched the National Dementia Action Plan (NDAP) 2023–2030.
Annual Report
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OUR TEAM BEHIND ADFM
Puan Sri Wendy Ong
Patron
Datuk Dr Yim Khai Kee
Honorary Advisor
Board of Trustees
Dato’ Jeffrey Ng
President
Mr Felix Tan Soon Kim
Secretary
Tan Lip Kee
Treasurer
Executive Committee
Tan Sri Hasmah Abdullah
Chairman
Dr.Soon Ee Hooi
Vice Chairman
Mr.Lawrence Ang Ah Wah
Secretary