Health Corner

Dementia is essentially a cognitive disorder. Alzheimer’s disease, which people often hear about, is one of the most common forms of dementia. In Hong Kong, 9.7% of people aged 60 or above suffer from cognitive disorders, which are a major cause of loss of independence, disability, and death among the elderly. Every year, 1.96 million people worldwide die due to dementia—it is therefore a condition that must not be underestimated!

What are the types of dementia?

• Alzheimer’s disease: The most common type of dementia, which may be related to aging or hereditary factors. Patients tend to become increasingly forgetful, and their comprehension and learning abilities slow down. The disease progresses gradually, eventually affecting their self-care and social abilities—for instance, they may need help with daily conversations and hygiene. In this condition, abnormal proteins accumulate in the brain, disrupting communication between nerve cells, which leads to cell death and brain shrinkage.

• Vascular dementia: Accounts for about 30% of cases. It is linked to stroke, heart disease, and blood circulation problems. The onset is usually related to damage in the brain’s blood vessels.

• Lewy body dementia: Caused by nerve cell death in the brain. Patients may experience hallucinations, confusion, shifts in attention, and Parkinson-like tremors.

• Frontotemporal dementia: More commonly seen in younger patients (aged 35–75). It results from localized degeneration in the brain. Early symptoms are not necessarily memory-related but may include difficulties in communication and increased emotional problems.

Does being forgetful mean I already have dementia?

Typical symptoms include:

• Loss of interest in work or activities.

• Memory decline: Trouble remembering recent events, repeatedly asking the same questions, or difficulty learning new things.

• Language problems: Weakened ability to express or understand, frequent word-finding difficulties.

• Judgment and decision-making difficulties: Challenges handling complex tasks or solving problems.

• Disorientation: Confusion about location, date, or time; easily getting lost.

• Emotional and personality changes: Apathy, anxiety, irritability, or poor judgment.

• Decline in daily functioning: In late stages, patients may lose self-care and communication abilities.

If I have dementia, can it be cured?

Currently, there is no complete cure for dementia. However, early treatment and continuous care can slow disease progression, alleviate symptoms, and improve quality of life.

• Medication:
  Some medications cannot cure dementia but can help relieve symptoms. Doctors may prescribe drugs such as cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine, which help slow down brain deterioration and improve memory, cognitive function, and behavioral control.

• Healthy lifestyle:
  Studies show most dementia patients also have chronic conditions. Therefore, maintaining a balanced diet (more fish and vegetables, less meat), regular exercise, and mental stimulation can help delay cognitive decline. Caregivers should also provide emotional support to help patients express their feelings and reduce psychological stress.

How can I check whether I have dementia early?

Though there is still no cure, early detection and intervention can significantly slow down progression. It is recommended to observe changes in memory and cognition in elders and undergo Alzheimer’s screening regularly to detect problems early and begin treatment promptly.

Currently, Human Health Eshop offers an Early Alzheimer’s Screening for only HK$880.
You can purchase or learn more via this link: https://mall.humanhealth.com.hk/products/early_alzheimer_screening

This simple blood test can accurately detect levels of the biomarker phosphorylated Tau217 protein (p-Tau217) in the blood, which is associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology and helps assess the risk of developing AD.

Multiple studies have shown that blood p-Tau217 test results closely match those of traditional PET-CT scans and cerebrospinal fluid biomarker analyses.

Take action now—get screened and protect both yourself and your loved ones!

References: 

The Centre for Health Protection ：NCD Watch August 2025 - Understanding Dementia.

Consumer Council： Trivia About Dementia: What is “Alzheimer’s Disease”? A Dingy and Cluttered Room Can Be Hazardous?

Castle Peak Hospital Department of Old Age Psychiatry: Mobile Memory Clinic.