Shun Yu's Hong Kong Column] Don't Delay in Suspecting Cognitive Disorder, Take Advantage of the Golden Age for Treatment

Release Date:

2023-07-25

As the development of cognitive impairment is slow, many people often mistake the early onset of the disease as a normal aging phenomenon and thus take it lightly. According to a study conducted by the Department of Health and the Faculty of Medicine of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, one out of every 10 elderly people in Hong Kong aged 70 or above suffers from cognitive impairment.

Lijuan has an 86-year-old mother who has recently started to show symptoms of cognitive disorders, and Lijuan does not know what to do. She is worried about what to do.

My mother's memory has deteriorated in her old age, and she never thought she'd have cognitive impairment.

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"My mother has been living in a home for the elderly for two years because she is not in good health and needs professional care. I visit her every week to talk to her, eat with her, and see if she needs anything. My mom has always been very cheerful, loves to talk to people, and remembers my name and the details of my life. I thought she was just getting old and sometimes she would forget things, but I never thought that she might be suffering from cognitive disorders.

While being discharged, the mother was found to have left the hospital without authorization.

One day, I received a call from Ms. Yu of the home for the elderly, who told me that my mom was not feeling well and had been sent to the hospital. I rushed to the hospital and the doctor told me that my mom's blood pressure was low, and that she could be discharged from the hospital with some medication. However, when I was about to do the procedures for her discharge, I realized that she had disappeared. I looked around for her, but the nurses didn't know where she went.

I immediately called the police and looked for him in the neighborhood. Luckily, an hour later, the police called and said they found him in a park. They asked me to pick them up. I asked my mom why she was here. She looked at me blankly. I accompanied her back to the elderly home.

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Mother's erratic behavior suspected to be cognitively impaired

Ms. Yu told me that my mother's behavior has been abnormal lately. She sometimes does not remember where she is, what day it is, and sometimes she mistakes people and says things that have no meaning or have no beginning or end. She is also emotionally unstable and may suddenly lose her temper or shout. It is suspected that mom may be suffering from cognitive disorders.

With the assistance of Sunyu staff, apply for assessment service for cognitive impairment from relevant organizations

I looked up some information about cognitive disabilities on the internet. I saw the page of Sunyu Academy on Facebook, and saw some information about cognitive disabilities. I immediately called Sunyu Academy to enquire about it.

With the help of Sun Yu's staff, she applied to the Hong Kong Association of the Cognitively Impaired (HKACI) for a Cognitive Impairment Assessment (CIA). After the assessment, my mother was found to have cognitive problems. I brought along the assessment report and accompanied my mom to seek help from doctors. Although I was so scared and sad, the doctor told me that my mom was lucky to be detected early and could be treated in time to prevent her condition from deteriorating. She was able to stop her condition from deteriorating.

Information on support services for caregivers of persons with dementia from Sunyu staff.

The staff at Sunyu Academy also introduced some support services for carers of people with dementia, such as seminars, workshops, groups and counseling, so that I can learn more about dementia and receive support and encouragement from other carers.

I would like to thank the staff of Sunyu for their help. Although this is not an easy road to travel, I think that with love and faith, we can get through this difficult time."

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Seize the golden age of cognitive disorders treatment to achieve early detection and treatment.

Early diagnosis of cognitive disorders can not only seize the golden opportunity for treatment, but also minimize the negative emotions or resistance of cognitive disorders. If you or your friends have any problems in life, please feel free to contact us, we are willing to be the support for the elderly.