HONG KONG, Sept. 6 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Dr Dai David Dai Lok Kwan, the Consultant Geriatrician in the Department of Medicine at Prince of Wales Hospital and Immediate Past President of Hong Kong Alzheimer's Disease Association stated, "Hong Kong has over 890,000 citizens over 65 years old, which means Hong Kong has the largest senior aging population proportion in Asia (other than Japan). In addition, males, on average, are living to the age of 79.8 while females can live till the age of 86.1 on average.
A 12-week "No-cost Alzheimer's Consultation & Treatment Scheme" will be launched today by the Hong Kong Health Care Association on Aging Committee. The Chairman of the Association, Mr. Sit Hing Wah invited all to participate in this programme, which is aimed to educate the general public on the importance of "health care for the brain" and raise awareness of Alzheimer's disease. This programme will also help to encourage positive attitudes to combat the disease and explore various ways to care and support for patients. Please visit www.ebixa.com.hk/hkhcaoa/alzhimer_scheme.html to download the form for application and details .
Professor Tang Siu Wah, who was recently awarded the "Kraepelin-Alzheimer Medal" by the Munich University Department of Psychiatry, gave honor to his international achievement in the spirit of Professor Kreaepelin and Alzheimer, President of the Hong Kong Society of Biological Psychiatry; Director of the Institute of Brain Medicine; and Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry, University of California, Irvine, and stated that deaths directly related to Alzheimer's disease increased an alarming 46% from 2000-2006, while when death rates attributed to strokes decreased 18.2%, prostate cancer decreased 8.7%, breast cancer decreased 2.6%, heart disease decreased 11.1% and HIV decreased 16.3%.
Professor Tang also expressed that Hong Kong people harbour different misconceptions regarding AD. For example, it is assumed that only the elderly suffer from AD; and it is normal for memory to deteriorate as one gets older. But these are not definite facts.
| Misconceptions towards Dementia that Hong Kong people have | The actual facts |
| Mistakenly think only elderly could suffer from Dementia
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Alzheimer's disease is one form of dementia. Dementia is the degeneration of the brain. Anyone of any age can have Dementia, in fact, poor care to children having serious fever can cause brain deterioration; Youngsters who abuse drugs, alcohol and fight, etc; in areas of poverty, insufficient food and nutrients, causes brain deterioration; thyroid gland problems; poor eating habits, high cholesterol, alcohol abuse; degeneration of organs of the elderly. |
| Mistakenly think Dementia is a type of sickness | Dementia is actually a symptom, brain deterioration is the sickness. For example, fever is not a sickness but a symptom. Similarly, dementia is not a sickness but a symptom of a later stage. Causes for dementia can be schizophrenia, worse cases could be depression, autistic; severe lack of water causes dementia, that is brain deterioration. |
| Mistakenly think that dementia is only caused by inheritance | Dementia is not only caused by inheritance but also by acquired factors. Yet having family members diagnosed with the sickness would increase the chances of having the disease. |
| Mistakenly think there is no treatment for the disease and hence don't seek consultation and treatment, and only stay home for a prolonged period of time | In fact, suitable treatment helps a lot and greatly enhances the quality of life of the patients and thus provides extra time to enjoy life with family. |
| Mistakenly think that taking medicines would help the brain go back to the undamaged status | In fact, medicine helps manage the progress of the sickness to prevent further deterioration |
| Mistakenly think all medicines for AD are the same | There are two types of medicines for AD, traditional (Acelylcholinesterase inhibitor) and advanced (Memantine). The traditional one would only keep exhausting the remaining cells and eventually cause the cells to die; but new and advanced medicines can protect the remaining cells from death. For example, there are four members remaining in a football team of ten, new medicines will protect the remaining four from death while the traditional one could cause the four to work more and get strained. So, there is big difference between the two medicines. |
| Mistakenly think only internal factors cause AD | Environmental factors and hazardous materials could cause brain deterioration, for example, bacteria on the walls at home, and babies taking milk powder containing Melamine. |
| Many people only focus on the physical health but neglect mental health | The brain is the central system directing many important functions of the body. For any person and apart from your body health, you also need to take care of your mental health. Many body organs cannot function normally in the absence of a healthy brain. E.g. Many stomach and gastrointestinal problems, heart problems, pains and aches are consequences of brain dysfunction. Brain trauma can result in the inability to move the hands and legs, speak and understand words, but the limbs and throat, and tongues are normal. And death of the brain would cause blindness. But the eye ball could be fine without any problem. |
| Mistakenly think it is "normal" to have poor memory when one gets older | If the status of poor memory persists, that maybe a sickness. |
| Mistakenly think there is no way to prevent further deterioration or lower the chance of having the disease | More frequent use of the brain, more intake of vitamins and omega 3 (from blueberries, walnuts and salmon, etc), could help prevent further deterioration or lower the chance of having the disease.
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| Symptoms of Alzheimer's disease | Daily life examples |
| Memory getting worse | Forgetting names that are supposed to be familiar Forgetting father's name Cannot find keys to the house/room |
| Cognitive impairment | Unable to learn and catch simple new concepts, loss of abstract thinking ability |
| Language problems | Unable to name objects, and understand certain common terms |
| Repetitive and persevering
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Keep repeating the questions that are asked and answered in a short period of time
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| Getting lost | Forgets places where they usually go |
| Unable to do everyday routines | Does not know how to use the remote control Does not know how to button up clothes Forgetting to zip up the trousers Accusing the maid of stealing because of the inability to find money, which later on is found in the fridge |
| Unable to handle tasks with sequence | Because of the inability to handle finance, can not issue cheques Housewives often do not know how to cook |
| Unable to do simple calculation | Like "100-1" |
| Emotional distress | Becoming more depressed, suspicious and unhappy compared to before |
| Illusions | Claiming to see images and faces on walls, in rooms, etc. Discovering things in unusual places like keys in the fridge |
Awareness and knowledge about Alzheimer's disease among Hong Kong people is much worse compared to European and American countries. Most Hong Kong citizens do not realize the fact that everyone has a chance of suffering from AD, and progress of treatment or its effectiveness will be delayed due to misconceptions about AD. Professor Tang also believes that what the patients need most is the care and support of their families. Being loved by family and the sense of comfort that family can provide definitely helps to maintain a healthy mind and heart, which can slow down the deterioration process.
Mr. Sit welcomes all those who have been diagnosed with AD, but never sought consultation, to join the 12-week "Free consultation and treatment scheme for Alzheimer's disease". You can also participate if you find that such "brain deterioration" occurs in your family. Successful applicants and their family can bring the "confirmation letter" for the scheme. Once diagnosed with AD, applicants would be granted three months free consultation and medical treatment.
Supportive artists and celebrities, including Ella Koon, Wong Ka Keung Steve, Joyce Cheng, Jade Kwan, Paul Tse and Pamela Peck, etc, also would like to support and encourage care for "Alzheimer's disease" and stated that "Earlier discovery enables earlier treatment": allow AD patients to have a longer time for quality living with their families!
For enquiries/ to know more:
Tel: +852-2501-7955
Website: www.ebixa.com.hk/hkhcaoa/alzhimer_scheme.html
