No time to waste in Hong Kong’s fight against dementia
- The number of patients in Hong Kong aged over 60 will surge to more than 300,000 by 2039, making early diagnosis and proper care all the more urgent
The number of elderly people suffering from dementia is on the increase as Hong Kong’s population ages, raising concerns about the availability of timely medical and community care.
Government figures show an increase from 72,900 dementia patients receiving treatment in public hospitals in 2018 to 84,100 in 2022.
The statistics do not tell the full story. Many more are suspected to suffer from the incurable and debilitating disease but are yet to be diagnosed and are not receiving the support they need.
Dr Lam Ching-choi, chairman of the Advisory Committee on Mental Health, has warned that long waiting times for diagnosis with the Hospital Authority are delaying treatment and access to community services.
A Hong Kong Alzheimer’s Disease Association survey in 2022 found that 60 per cent of patients wait more than a year to be diagnosed, with 40 per cent waiting two years or more. This is not acceptable. Steps must be taken to shorten the queue.
Medication and therapy can slow the progression of dementia and improve patients’ quality of life. Suspected sufferers need to be assessed by healthcare professionals before receiving community support. The delay in diagnosis leaves many without such assistance.
Lam has sensibly proposed the government alter its approach and not wait for diagnosis before providing services. His team will review the process of screening, diagnosing and supporting dementia sufferers to tackle the problem. It deserves urgent attention.
Dementia patients suffer memory loss and problems with judgment and comprehension. They may find household tasks difficult, or suffer falls, or emotional and behavioural problems. Many patients have other chronic diseases and need constant care.
Swift, adequate support is essential. In recent years, steps have been taken to increase awareness and provide help, notably through the Dementia Community Support Scheme, piloted in 2017 and made permanent two years later. But more effort is needed.
According to one study, the number of dementia patients over 60 will surge to more than 300,000 by 2039. No time should be wasted in tackling the bottleneck in diagnosis and ensuring services are provided to those that need them.
