SBS Transit Enhances Geylang Bahru MRT Station through Initiative for Persons Living with Dementia

‘Find Your Way’ initiative at Geylang Bahru MRT station. (Image: SBS Transit/Facebook, SBS Transit/Facebook)

If you are commuting through Geylang Bahru MRT station on the Downtown Line (DTL), you might notice murals at distinct areas in the station that features nostalgic traditional childhood games like the Wau Bulan (moon kite) and Gasing (spinning top).

These are part of a collaboration between operator SBS Transit and Dementia Singapore, which aims to help persons with dementia navigate safely and confidently.

‘Find Your Way’ Initiative for Persons Living with Dementia

Enhancement at Geylang Bahru MRT station

“Dr Wan Rizal, Member of Parliament for Kolam Ayer Constituency, officially launched the sixth edition of the “Find Your Way” initiative at Geylang Bahru MRT Station earlier this morning.” (Image: SBS Transit/Facebook)

The launch of the ‘Find Your Way’ initiative at the Geylang Bahru MRT station was officiated by Grassroots Adviser Dr Wan Rizal, Member of Parliament (MP) for Kolam Ayer Constituency, on Sunday (Apr 30).

This is the sixth transport node operated by SBS Transit to have the initiative implemented and is the third train station after the enhancements at Chinatown and Mattar MRT stations.

Distinct areas within the station are represented by an image of a different-coloured nostalgic item and are complemented by colour-coded directional floor stickers that point the way to the respective station exit, the operator has mentioned.

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Studies on using reminiscence for wayfinding have been shown to stimulate parts of the brain

“Floor murals at the street level provide persons with dementia reassurance and confidence that they have reached their intended exits.” (Image: SBS Transit/Facebook)

SBS Transit mentioned that parts of the brain that deal with long-term memory and cognition are stimulated when reminiscence, like the usage of nostalgic murals, is involved.

“For the murals at Geylang Bahru MRT Station, we drew inspiration from traditional childhood games that were popular with the Malay community as the area was once home to the Malay Village (now known as Wisma Geylang Serai),” said the operator.

“Gasing was a popular game back in the kampong (village) days. Players spin a top and the winner is the one whose top spins the longest within a circle. Interestingly, farmers believed that playing gasing would bring them a bountiful harvest.”

“Farmers used to fly the Wau Bulan, a beautifully and intricately crafted traditional kite, over their paddy fields to keep birds away.”

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Related Links
Downtown Line – SGTrains

External Links
Find Your Way – SBS Transit [Accessed 30 Apr 2023]
“For the sixth edition of our “Find Your Way” initiative, we’re taking a playful approach by featuring traditional childhood games! Heard of the Wau Bulan (moon kite) and Gasing (spinning top)?” – SBS Transit/Facebook [Accessed 30 Apr 2023]

Images: SBS Transit/Facebook.
This article first appeared on SGTrains.