NOVEMBER 1 — Watching someone you love slowly lose their memory is an experience that stays with you. A familiar face may become difficult to recognise. Everyday activities that were once simple may become confusing. Conversations may need to be repeated, and family members gradually find themselves becoming full-time caregivers.
I know this because dementia has affected several members of my own family. I have witnessed the sadness, uncertainty and emotional exhaustion that accompany this condition. Behind every person living with dementia is often a family quietly struggling to cope.
For caregivers, the greatest challenge is not always physical. Sometimes, it is the heartbreak of watching someone they love gradually lose the ability to manage everyday life independently. These experiences have left me asking one important question: Can we do something before memory problems become severe?
Protecting the brain before problems begin
Dementia is not simply a normal part of ageing. It is a condition that affects memory, thinking and the ability to carry out daily activities. Although there is currently no cure for most forms of dementia, growing scientific interest has focused on ways to support brain health and reduce the risk of cognitive decline.
One promising area is physical exercise. Most people associate exercise with stronger muscles, healthier hearts and better weight management. However, physical activity may also help maintain memory, concentration and other thinking abilities as we grow older. Walking, cycling and simple strengthening exercises may offer benefits beyond physical fitness.
But an important question remains: Why do some people benefit more from exercise than others?
One exercise programme may not suit everyone
As a researcher in exercise science and genetics, I have long been interested in understanding why individuals respond differently to the same physical activities. Two people may follow an identical exercise programme but experience different improvements.
Their age, health conditions, lifestyle and genetic makeup may all influence how their bodies respond. Could these differences also affect how exercise benefits the brain?
This question has become an important focus of my research. Imagine a future where older adults receive exercise recommendations tailored to their individual needs rather than following a single programme designed for everyone.
For some, regular walking may be suitable. Others may benefit from cycling, muscle-strengthening activities or exercises that challenge both movement and thinking. The aim is not to find a miracle cure but to understand how science can help people maintain their independence and quality of life for longer.
Turning personal experience into research
My interest in dementia began long before the development of our latest research initiative. Through earlier studies supported by Malaysia’s Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS), my research team explored the relationship between genetics, exercise and brain function.
These efforts eventually led to a new research initiative known as ExeCogim. The project aims to investigate whether genetic information can help researchers develop more personalised exercise approaches to support brain health among older adults.
Recently, this research received RM174,400 under the Ministry of Higher Education’s GET Transformative Phase II Grant 2026. This support represents an important opportunity to explore how scientific findings might eventually benefit society.
However, ExeCogim remains a research initiative. Further studies are necessary before we can determine whether personalised exercise programmes based on genetic information offer meaningful advantages. Scientific progress requires patience, careful testing and reliable evidence.
A shared responsibility
Dementia is more than a medical challenge. It affects families, communities and healthcare services. Addressing it requires cooperation among researchers, healthcare professionals, caregivers, technology developers and organisations supporting older adults.
Equally important is public awareness. We should encourage healthy lifestyles, regular physical activity and greater attention to brain health as people age. Persistent memory difficulties should also be assessed by healthcare professionals rather than dismissed as ordinary ageing.
For families already caring for someone with dementia, understanding, patience and emotional support remain essential. I cannot change what my own family has experienced. Nor can I promise that our research will prevent dementia. But those experiences have strengthened my determination to search for better answers.
Perhaps one day, research will help more older adults remain active, independent and connected to their loved ones. Because growing older should not simply mean living longer. It should mean living well, preserving our independence and protecting the precious memories that connect us to the people we love.
* Assoc Prof Dr Hazwani Ahmad Yusof @ Hanafi is from Pusat Kanser Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (PKTAAB), Universiti Sains Malaysia.
** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.
