13-07-2025
Murals help seniors find their way in PJ
Those with dementia using visual aids to navigate Section 52 commercial area confidently
A captivating giant owl with thick greyish plumage and piercing eyes greets visitors to Petaling Jaya New Town in Section 52, often stopping them in their tracks.
The larger-than-life mural of the nocturnal bird is striking — just like the illustrations of classic cars painted at a back lane in the area.
At Menara MBPJ nearby, colourful wall art decorates another back alley, with life-size mannequins placed along the pathway.
Petaling Jaya mayor Mohamad Zahri Samingon said the murals doubled as navigational aids for seniors and those with young-onset dementia.
Dementia is a progressive disease affecting memory and cognitive ability. While the condition is more prevalent in people aged 60 and above, it has been known to affect younger folk too.
'Petaling Jaya City Council's (MBPJ) murals help enhance the independence of people with dementia.
'Many seniors live in the surrounding neighbourhoods and these murals serve as powerful visual cues that trigger memories and aid in wayfinding,' said Mohamad Zahri.
Creative visual cues
Interest in senior-friendly urban design is on the rise as Selangor's population continues to age.
According to the Statistics Department, the state's population stood at 7.36 million last year, with 853,760 people aged 60 and above while the number living with dementia was estimated at 119,526.
Mohamad Zahri said MBPJ's Development Planning Department was using themed-based street art as a creative tool to support people with dementia.
This is aimed at improving wayfinding, fostering social engagement and enhancing overall well-being in dementia-friendly environments.
(Wayfinding is the process of navigating through a physical environment to reach a desired destination or objective.)
Mohamad Zahri also touched on MBPJ's Senior Citizen Action Plan 2030 – a proactive and holistic approach in caring for an ageing society, including people with disabilities.
'Sections 11, 17, 19, SS3, Taman Medan and Kampung Tunku are among locations in Petaling Jaya with sizeable elderly populations.
'These are areas where long-term senior-friendly infrastructure is much needed,' he said.
MBPJ, he said, was considering painting murals on the ground floors of flats in Taman Medan to create a more inclusive environment and help residents with dementia feel safer and more at ease in their surroundings.
'The Senior Citizen Action Plan 2030 is a comprehensive initiative aimed at building an age-friendly city that meets the evolving needs of an ageing population,' he said.
'This plan is part of MBPJ's broader 'Petaling Jaya Smart, Sustainable and Resilient 2030' (PJSSR 2030) blueprint, focusing on creating an inclusive environment for all ages, particularly seniors.
'It is an evolving plan covering five main areas — health, economy, social and safety, education and environment to ensure seniors' well-being and needs are effectively addressed.'
The plan, he said aligned with United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals and First Selangor Plan 1 (RS-1).
PJSSR 2030 is inviting input from stakeholders including government agencies, non-governmental organisations and academics through an action plan committee focused on key priority areas.
MBPJ Development Planning Department director Lee Lih Shyan said murals and other visual cues were significant in helping people with dementia, in daily tasks, by leveraging their strengths in visual processing and memory recall.
'We are getting feedback from families and caregivers that people with dementia find the murals in Petaling Jaya New Town as recognisable cues.
'This is due to the high-contrast colours and familiar topics, particularly those evoking positive memories,' he said.
Lee said the city council's primary aim was to aid those with difficulty finding their way.
'Our plan is to use clear and recognisable visual cues and landmarks to help seniors and dementia patients orient themselves and move around effectively.
'Most murals are brightly coloured, high-contrast and strategically placed so they are easily noticed and remembered,' added Lee.
Selangor, he said was projected to become a super-aged society by 2040, with 20% of its population aged 65 and above.
'We can predict that life expectancy will increase further and we must be prepared to face an ageing population by 2030,' he said.
Dementia-friendly spaces
Alzheimer's Disease Foundation Malaysia (ADFM) executive committee chairman Tan Sri Hasmah Abdullah said the prevalence of dementia was on the rise in tandem with the growing older adult population.
'ADFM is glad that MBPJ is planning to create more dementia-friendly environments.
'Most individuals with dementia do not fit the stereotype of someone who is confused and living in a nursing home.
'We have people with early to moderate stages of dementia, in their late 30s, who continue to hold jobs and socialise although the nature of their involvement may change as the condition progresses,' she said.
As an advocate on issues related to dementia, Hasmah added that the Petaling Jaya New Town murals were helping people with dementia maintain social connections which was crucial for their well-being.
'Our built environment plays an important role in promoting the quality of life for people living with dementia.
'When physical infrastructure includes 'dementia-friendly' design elements, it helps people living with dementia and their families experience numerous benefits.
'These include improved safety, greater independence, opportunities for social engagement, reduced agitation or distress and an overall improved ability to engage in activities of daily life,' she said.
One person who has lauded the murals and other outward objects to help people with dementia is a mum who only wants to be known as Madam Sequeira.
She said her son, who developed dementia at the age of 38, had experienced changes in the perception of his surroundings.
This posed a challenge for him to navigate in public areas, she said.
'But, with the murals and mannequins close to his workplace in Petaling Jaya New Town, he can move around a lot easier,' she said.
Another resident, who lives within walking distance of Petaling Jaya New Town, said his 76-year-old mother with dementia felt confident going to the commercial area because of the murals.
'Thanks to the street art, she can now meet up with her friends for tea in the afternoon.
'She is happy, less isolated and more connected,' said the retired real estate agent who only wanted to be known as Gomez.
Selangor Council of Welfare and Social Development vice-chairman Datin Paduka Khatijah Sulaiman (SCWSD) called for additional wayfinding measures to better support ageing communities and reduce the distress caused by cognitive impairment and navigation challenges.
'It is crucial to incorporate dementia-friendly design principles into urban planning and public spaces that cater to the exact needs of those with dementia, including visual cues, colour-zoning and clear signage,' said Khatijah
She also called for more awareness efforts, including workshops, to foster supportive environments for people living with dementia and enhance public understanding of the condition.
She said such initiatives can create 'dementia-friendly communities' and create an inclusive society.
Khatijah added that it was important to work with local authorities in Selangor for a wider reach.
'Urban planning and design contribute to making public spaces more accessible for all residents, including those with cognitive impairments.
Khatijah said while SCWSD was working with MBPJ to organise workshops, it needed the involvement of all stakeholders to foster greater involvement.
