Nek Rahmah (not her real name) looked blankly when asked what she ate for breakfast.

“I don’t know whether I have eaten or not today,” mumbled the 74-year-old resident of Pusat Jagaan Husna Arrashid, an elderly care centre located in Taman Melawati, Kuala Lumpur.

Then, turning to one of the staff, she asked, “Eh, where am I right now?”...