Nobel Prize Winner

Carol, Thanks for your comment. I think this is indeed encouraging that someone who has earned this great honor can just go to the ceremony regardless his dementia. People need to know it is not a shame to have dementia. Dr. Kao just happens to have AD. However, his family is little private about it so it is subtle.

Take care,

Nina

Yes, Nina, this helps educated everyone. Dementia of all types needs to be brought out into the open and not hidden. Having a loved one with dementia isn't shameful. Having dementia isn't shameful. Like mental illness (which this sort of is), there is a stigma attached that people like you are helping to erase.

Take care,

Carol

Did anyone see his diagnosis included in any newspaper reports?

Christine

There is no "formal" report. However, as a Chinese, he got lots of Chinese reports in Chinese newspapers. I read them. His colleagues in Hong Kong University all talked about him. It is not a rumor. But we have no idea how bad. The friend that speaks for him officially just said he is in the old age but he can still recognize people. But Dr. Kao himself never talks to anyone officially after this great news.

Nina

Thanks for that Nina. Its so sad.

Christine

I checked out the wikipedia and there is one sentence that mentions Kao's sickness:

"Kao has been slightly suffering from Alzheimer's disease since early 2009, but has no problem in recognizing people or addresses^[24]. Kao's father also suffered from the same disease, Kao and his wife would like to donate part of the prize money to aging research and care, possibly to Hong Kong St. James' Settlement Health Care Centre for Old People and American-based Alzheimer's Association^[25]."

In Chinese culture, sometimes the privacy is valued and only family knows the truth at times. Some Americans are like that too. But when one has dementia, it cannot be hidden and will be shown to the people aorund him. So it is subtle and yet people know that.

BTW, I believe that although there are certain ways for nurses to treat/talk to AD patients, the family members have the right to know how to deal with the patient since they know him better. 

Thanks for your comment, Christine!

Nina

Thanks for the information. As you point out, it is very important that cultural differences are taken into account in the way people, especially health professionals, offer treatment and support to people with Alzheimer's and other types of dementia.

Thanks Nina

Christine