SINGAPORE — November 13, 2026 — Singaporean actress and television host Munah Bagharib has shared an emotional account of how her mother’s battle with dementia transformed their relationship, revealing a deeply personal moment that helped her understand that even as the disease changes someone, the love connecting a parent and child can remain.
The 38-year-old entertainer recently became emotional during an appearance on Ria 897’s radio talk show Kisah Kopi, hosted by DJ Azura Goh, where she discussed her mother, Azeezah Aidid, who was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia in 2017 at the age of 61.
Now nine years into the family’s journey with the condition, Munah admitted that one of the most painful experiences was feeling that she was gradually losing the woman she once turned to for almost everything.
But an unexpected dream gave her a different perspective on their relationship — one that continues to shape how she sees her mother today.
“I Felt Like She Was Being Taken Away From Me”
During the interview, Munah recalled the emotional impact of learning what dementia was doing to her mother.
She explained that witnessing the changes in Azeezah’s behaviour and communication was particularly difficult because her mother had always been the person she could approach to discuss relationships, personal problems and everyday experiences.
The actress said she missed the conversations they once shared, especially the familiar mother-daughter discussions about dating and life.
She described the experience as cruel, admitting that she initially felt as though her mother was slowly being taken away from her.
For someone who had always relied on her mother as a confidante, the changes brought an unfamiliar kind of grief — one in which the person she loved was still physically present, but their relationship was changing.
The Dream That Changed Munah’s Perspective
One of the most touching moments Munah shared involved a dream she experienced during a period when she was feeling particularly sad and missing the emotional connection she once had with her mother.
In the dream, she expressed how much she missed having someone she could talk to about everything.
Her mother’s response stayed with her.
According to Munah, Azeezah reassured her that she was still there for her, as much as she could be.
When Munah woke up, she found herself reflecting on the experience.
Rather than focusing entirely on the conversations and abilities her mother had lost, she began to recognise the connection that remained.
She realised that she could still share her thoughts, frustrations and personal experiences with her mother, even if their conversations no longer happened in the same way.
The realisation became a turning point in how she approached their relationship.
As the radio host pointed out during their conversation, her mother was still there — just in a different way.
A Mother’s Hug Reminded Her That Love Was Still There
Munah also shared a recent experience that reinforced the message she had taken from that dream.
After going through a difficult personal situation, she decided to speak with her mother.
The conversation became emotional, and Munah started crying.
Instead of offering an extended conversation or the kind of advice she might once have expected, Azeezah approached her, called her by her familiar nickname and held her.
For Munah, that simple gesture was enough.
She explained that she did not need anything more at that moment. She simply needed her mother.
The experience reminded her that although dementia had changed their relationship, it had not erased every expression of affection, reassurance and emotional connection between them.
It was a powerful reminder that sometimes love is communicated through gestures rather than words.
Her Mother’s Dementia Diagnosis Changed the Entire Family’s Life
Munah’s latest reflections also bring attention to the challenges her family has faced since Azeezah’s diagnosis.
In a previous interview with AsiaOne in November 2021, Munah and her younger brother, Ziyad Bagharib, explained how their mother’s condition forced them to reorganise their everyday lives.
The family initially struggled to understand what was happening.
Azeezah began experiencing difficulties with language and recognising everyday objects. At one point, she reportedly referred to a chair as a door.
After seeking medical advice, the family received a diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia, a form of dementia that can affect behaviour, personality, language and communication.
The early years were particularly demanding.
Ziyad recalled that the family felt they needed to overhaul their schedules, establish new routines and organise activities to accommodate their mother’s changing needs.
They even created an Excel spreadsheet to coordinate different activities.
Munah also adjusted her professional schedule to spend more time with her mother.
The experience demonstrated how dementia affects more than the person diagnosed. It can reshape the responsibilities, priorities and emotional well-being of everyone in the household.
Munah Opens Up About Caregiver Guilt and the Importance of Self-Care
Another important part of Munah’s journey has been learning to deal with caregiver guilt.
In her earlier interviews, she admitted that caring for her mother could sometimes become repetitive and emotionally exhausting.
There were moments when she did not have enough energy to remain positive, even though she wanted to provide the best possible support.
She also questioned whether there was anything she could have done to prevent her mother’s condition.
Over time, however, she came to understand that blaming herself would not change the diagnosis.
She recognised that caregivers also need time to rest, recharge and look after their own emotional well-being.
Her experiences have helped her speak more openly about the challenges of caregiving, particularly for families who may feel isolated or unsure where to seek help.
Munah has also been associated with Dementia Singapore as an ambassador, using her public platform to encourage greater awareness and understanding of the condition.
Her Story Reflects a Growing Challenge for Singapore’s Ageing Population
Munah’s experience is also part of a much wider issue facing Singapore.
As the country’s population ages, dementia and long-term caregiving are becoming increasingly important public concerns.
According to a Channel NewsAsia report published in October 2025, a study commissioned by Dementia Singapore found that caring for someone with dementia costs approximately S$24,000 annually after government subsidies.
The study also found that caregivers faced median monthly care expenses of S$2,020, while 89 per cent of respondents believed that more support should be provided to people caring for loved ones with dementia.
The findings highlight the financial and emotional pressures that can accompany long-term caregiving.
The burden is not limited to medical expenses. Families may also need to manage supervision, transportation, daily activities, household responsibilities and the demands of maintaining their own employment.
The wider demographic picture is equally significant.
Singapore officially entered the category of a super-aged society in 2026, with 21.4 per cent of its citizen population aged 65 and above.
WWC ONE MEDIA previously examined this development in its report, Singapore Officially Becomes a Super-Aged Society as Seniors Reach 21.4% of Citizens.
As the number of older residents increases, the demand for dementia-friendly communities, accessible healthcare and sustainable caregiving arrangements is expected to become even more important.
Dementia Is About More Than Forgetting Names and Faces
Munah’s story also highlights an important misconception about dementia: the condition is not simply about forgetting things.
Frontotemporal dementia, the condition diagnosed in her mother, affects areas of the brain associated with behaviour, personality and language.
Depending on the affected brain regions and individual circumstances, people living with the condition may experience changes in communication, decision-making, social behaviour and emotional responses.
These changes can be particularly difficult for family members because familiar conversations and everyday interactions may become increasingly challenging.
In July 2026, Munah also explored the issue of dementia-related wandering in a CNA programme, helping viewers understand why people with dementia can become disoriented or go missing, even in familiar surroundings.
The programme highlighted the importance of safety measures, public awareness and community involvement.
WWC ONE MEDIA also reported on Singapore’s efforts to make public transportation more accessible to people experiencing cognitive decline in its article, Singapore’s LTA Plans Transport Changes for Ageing Population — Could People Living With Dementia Soon Find Commuting Easier?.
Such initiatives matter because people living with dementia need more than medical attention. They also need environments that allow them to remain connected to their communities as safely and independently as possible.
Why Community Support Matters to Families Facing Dementia
For many families, caring for an older relative becomes a long-term responsibility that requires emotional, practical and financial adjustments.
Singapore has been exploring different approaches to supporting seniors who want to remain independent while having access to assistance when necessary.
One example is the Community Care Apartments programme, which combines senior-friendly housing with care and support services.
WWC ONE MEDIA previously examined the changing costs of these arrangements in Seniors Once Paid $50 a Month — So Why Are Community Care Apartment Fees Now Around $180?.
Meanwhile, community-based programmes focused on healthy ageing are also gaining attention.
The importance of nutrition, physical well-being and maintaining independence among older residents was explored in WWC ONE MEDIA’s report, Singapore Launches Healthy-Eating Programme to Help 500 Seniors Eat Smarter.
Although these initiatives address different aspects of ageing, they reflect a shared challenge: helping older people maintain their quality of life while ensuring that families and caregivers have access to appropriate support.
A Different Kind of Mother-Daughter Relationship
For Munah Bagharib, her mother’s dementia diagnosis changed many things.
The familiar conversations may no longer happen as they once did. Advice may come differently, and some moments that previously felt ordinary now carry a deeper emotional meaning.
Yet her latest revelation shows that she is learning to appreciate what remains rather than focusing exclusively on what has changed.
Her mother’s embrace after a difficult moment became a reminder that emotional connection does not always depend on perfect communication or remembering every detail.
Sometimes, it is found in a familiar voice, a gentle gesture or simply having someone close enough to offer comfort.
Munah’s experience also sends an important message to other families facing dementia: the person living with the condition is still more than their diagnosis, and caregivers deserve understanding and support throughout the journey.
Her mother’s dream-time reassurance may have changed how Munah sees their relationship, but it was that simple embrace that brought the message home: dementia may change the way a mother and daughter communicate, but it does not automatically take away the love between them.
