Don’t Ask Me to Remember Your Name

 Don’t Ask Me to Remember Your Name

By Fong Muntoh

Let the moment speak for itself.

Some days, our seniors remember names, faces, even stories from decades ago. Other days, everything feels like it’s floating—like a dream they can’t quite hold onto.

At our senior care centre, we don’t push. We let things happen naturally.

So if you're visiting someone with memory loss, try not to ask, “Do you remember my name?” That one question, though innocent, can cause stress. It reminds them of what they’ve lost. Let the conversation unfold gently. If they remember, wonderful. If they don’t, that’s okay too.

Because connection doesn’t always need a name. Sometimes, it's enough to sit beside them. Let them talk. Let them be quiet. Let your presence bring comfort, not pressure.

Here, every photo on the wall, every song, every gentle routine helps bring some sense of time and place. Some days, that’s all they need. Familiarity—not facts.

Come visit. Not to correct or remind, but to share a moment.

Even if they can’t say your name,

they’ll remember how you made them feel.