Reporters: Suki Chow, Karen Kwok, Shannon Lam, Oneal Li
Alzheimer’s disease, also called senile dementia of the Alzheimer type (SDAT) and primary degenerative dementia of the Alzheimer’s type (PDDAT) is a degenerative brain disease. It is the most common form of dementia. This incurable and terminal disease was first described by German psychiatrist and neuropathologist Alois Alzheimer in 1906 and was named after him. Most often, it is diagnosed in people over 65-years-old, although the less-prevalent early-onset Alzheimer’s disease can occur as early as 50-years-old. In 2006, there were 26.6 million sufferers worldwide. Alzheimer’s disease is predicted to affect 1 in 85 people globally by 2050.
Meeting Mrs Gwen Kao
Varsity spoke with Mrs Gwen Kao, wife of Professor Charles Kao, Nobel Laureate in Physics. In 2004, Professor Kao was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. The disease greatly affected the lives of Professor Kao and his family members. Mrs Kao tells Varsity about her role as a caregiver for Professor Kao.
Mrs Kao also talked about the Charles K. Kao Foundation for Alzheimer’s Disease, which she and her husband founded. Mrs Kao urges everyone to give a helping hand to Alzheimer’s Disease patients in Hong Kong.
Mrs Kao also talked about the Charles K. Kao Foundation for Alzheimer’s Disease, which she and her husband founded. Mrs Kao urges everyone to give a helping hand to Alzheimer’s Disease patients in Hong Kong.
For more information on the foundation, please visit: www.charleskaofoundation.org
The Alzheimer’s Disease Q&A
Dr Wu Yee-ming, Chairman of Hong Kong Alzheimer’s Disease Association, answers questions about Alzheimer’s disease
1. What is the cause of Alzheimer’s disease?
2. What are the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease?
Dr Wu Yee-ming, Hong Kong Alzheimer’s Disease Association
3. At what age one has the highest possibility of getting Alzheimer’s disease?
Dr Wu Yee-ming, Hong Kong Alzheimer’s Disease Association
4. Which of the following is not a measure to prevent Alzheimer’s disease?
Dr Wu Yee-ming, Hong Kong Alzheimer’s Disease Association
5. What are the measures to slow down the deterioration of Alzheimer’s disease?
Dr Wu Yee-ming, Hong Kong Alzheimer’s Disease Association
6. Is it possible for patients to fully recover?
Dr Wu Yee-ming, Hong Kong Alzheimer’s Disease Association
7. What ratio of the elderly population in Hong Kong has Alzheimer’s disease?
Dr Wu Yee-ming, Hong Kong Alzheimer’s Disease Association
8. Out of the 100,000 Alzheimer’s disease patients in Hong Kong, what is the percentage of patients who are getting proper care now?
Dr Wu Yee-ming, Hong Kong Alzheimer’s Disease Association
