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"Even if one day your memory fades and you forget me, I will still hold your hand and walk slowly like this." The movie "Memories of Tomorrow" depicts the despair and hope of families affected by dementia. Due to the rapid increase in Taiwan's elderly population, the number of dementia cases, which is prevalent among the elderly, has also risen. In Taiwan, approximately 200,000 people suffer from conditions similar to those portrayed in the film, which also means tens of thousands of families and loved ones must bear the many challenges brought by dementia.
Is It "Normal" Aging? Or Is Dementia Eroding You?
Dr. Wu Yi-Cheng, a psychiatrist at Hsinchu Mackay Memorial Hospital, explains that dementia itself is caused by multiple factors and manifests as a combination of various symptoms. Many cases in clinics involve family members accompanying patients who complain of worsening memory, becoming "forgetful," or exhibiting personality changes—such as becoming less talkative or appearing lazy. In reality, memory decline is a core symptom of dementia, and this condition often progresses gradually, leading some families to mistakenly dismiss it as "normal" aging.
Additionally, psychiatric disorders are common symptoms associated with dementia. These include emotional changes such as depression and anxiety, personality shifts, and even psychotic symptoms like delusions and hallucinations. Sometimes, patients may exhibit confusion, agitation, or dangerous behaviors.
Dementia Is Often Irreversible—Only Its Progression Can Be Slowed
Common delusions include theft delusions, such as constantly suspecting that someone has stolen their belongings, or unfounded suspicions of a partner's infidelity. These situations often lead to family conflicts and accusations. More severe symptoms include confusion, agitation, or dangerous behaviors, such as getting lost, disrupted sleep, incoherent speech, or shouting, all of which exhaust both the patient and their caregivers.
Dr. Wu Yi-Cheng reminds us that clinically, whether it's memory decline or accompanying psychiatric disorders, there are treatment opportunities. However, in practice, stabilizing psychiatric symptoms tends to be more effective than improving memory loss. Importantly, the general treatment approach for dementia primarily focuses on "preventing further deterioration" and aims to alleviate related psychiatric symptoms.
Source: https:/ / tw. news. yahoo. com/ % E……9% 8B% E8% 8B% A6- 040000902. html
Memory Loss and Paranoia: 200,000 Taiwanese Suffer from Dementia
Is It "Normal" Aging? Or Is Dementia Eroding You?
Dr. Wu Yi-Cheng, a psychiatrist at Hsinchu Mackay Memorial Hospital, explains that dementia itself is caused by multiple factors and manifests as a combination of various symptoms. Many cases in clinics involve family members accompanying patients who complain of worsening memory, becoming "forgetful," or exhibiting personality changes—such as becoming less talkative or appearing lazy. In reality, memory decline is a core symptom of dementia, and this condition often progresses gradually, leading some families to mistakenly dismiss it as "normal" aging.
Additionally, psychiatric disorders are common symptoms associated with dementia. These include emotional changes such as depression and anxiety, personality shifts, and even psychotic symptoms like delusions and hallucinations. Sometimes, patients may exhibit confusion, agitation, or dangerous behaviors.
Dementia Is Often Irreversible—Only Its Progression Can Be Slowed
Common delusions include theft delusions, such as constantly suspecting that someone has stolen their belongings, or unfounded suspicions of a partner's infidelity. These situations often lead to family conflicts and accusations. More severe symptoms include confusion, agitation, or dangerous behaviors, such as getting lost, disrupted sleep, incoherent speech, or shouting, all of which exhaust both the patient and their caregivers.
Dr. Wu Yi-Cheng reminds us that clinically, whether it's memory decline or accompanying psychiatric disorders, there are treatment opportunities. However, in practice, stabilizing psychiatric symptoms tends to be more effective than improving memory loss. Importantly, the general treatment approach for dementia primarily focuses on "preventing further deterioration" and aims to alleviate related psychiatric symptoms.
Source: https:/ / tw. news. yahoo. com/ % E……9% 8B% E8% 8B% A6- 040000902. html