Hong Kong people lack knowledge about people with dementia and misunderstand the patients' condition and needs, according to a new survey.

About 760 people were interviewed in the Department of Health and Chinese Dementia Research Association's survey. More than half said they would feel looked down upon if a family member had dementia. Nearly 40%  thought demented patients should live in elderly homes while some would avoid contact with such patients and thought an increase of care services for them would be wasteful.

Many people did not know that demented patients, apart from memory loss and decreased cognitive ability, would suffer from other mood, psychological and behavioural problems. Neither did they know how to handle such symptoms.

Ageing population

Assistant Director of Health (Family & Elderly Health Services) Dr Chan Wai-man said with the ageing of the population, the prevalence of dementia in the Hong Kong community is expected to increase.

The Census & Statistics Department estimated that the elderly population in Hong Kong will jump from 900,000 currently to nearly 2 million in 20 years.

"Knowing more about the symptoms, treatment and community resources available for dementia not only enables early diagnosis and treatment, but also helps support the patients and carers."

Dr Chan encourages family members to be aware of community support services for dementia care, for exmaple day care centres, and to acquire skills in handling the emotional and behavioural problems, to minimise conflict and dispute with seniors suffering from dementia.

Stress management

"Psychological adjustment enables family members to manage stress better, improve their own mental health, which in turn would improve the quality of care for the demented," she added.

The Department of Health has produced health education materials including booklets, pamphlets and VCDs to raise community awareness and knowledge about dementia.

Visiting Elderly Health Service teams regularly deliver health education and training programmes on dementia care to seniors and carers to enhance their knowledge and skills.