Summary Box:

If your loved one is showing signs of memory loss, no need to worry. This guide walks Hong Kong families through the journey from noticing changes to finding a suitable care plan. With early support from services like the Jockey Club Centre for Positive Ageing, you can navigate this path with confidence and compassion.

Someone you love is forgetting things more often. You’re worried, trying to figure out if it’s just ageing or something more serious. By 2043, more than one-third of Hong Kong’s population will be aged 65 or above. Dementia risk increases with age. If you’re reading this, you’ve probably noticed changes. Here’s what to do.

What is Dementia?

Dementia describes a group of symptoms: damaged memory, thinking, decision making, and daily functioning, etc. Some memory changes happen with normal ageing. Dementia is not normal ageing.
Alzheimer’s disease causes about 65% of cases in Hong Kong. Other common types: vascular dementia and frontotemporal dementia.

Alzheimer’s disease vs. Dementia: What’s the Difference?

People mix these up.

Dementia refers to a group of symptoms, damaging memory, thinking, decision making, and daily functioning, etc.
Alzheimer’s disease is a specific degenerative brain disease, and it is one of the most common causes of dementia.

Put simply, not all dementia is Alzheimer’s disease, but Alzheimer’s disease often causes dementia symptoms.

What are the Early Signs of Dementia?

The early signs can be subtle. You might not notice at first.

Common warning signs may include:

Memory loss: Difficulty recalling recent events or appointments that were once easy to remember.
Difficulty completing familiar tasks: Struggling to follow a recipe or manage finances.
Language problems: Difficulty finding the right words or understanding simple conversations.
Confusion about time or place: Getting lost in familiar surroundings.

One caregiver noticed that her father, who had been sharp his whole life, was suddenly forgetting his own address and losing track of his belongings. After a few months, a formal assessment confirmed early-stage dementia.

How is Dementia Diagnosed? (Steps and Assessments)

Diagnosis involves medical history, clinical assessment, and tests that rule out other causes.

Assessments may include:

Medical history and physical exams: These help rule out other potential causes of cognitive decline.
Cognitive tests: Tools like the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) are designed to detect mild cognitive impairment and early signs of dementia, such as short-term memory, visuospatial abilities, executive functions, language, etc.
Imaging tests: MRI and CT scans help detect brain changes typical of dementia.
Blood and lab tests: These help rule out treatable conditions that may cause similar symptoms.

What you can prepare:

Write down specific examples: dates, incidents, changes in behavior. Bring a list of current medications and any family history of dementia. JCCPA Memory Clinic has registered doctors who evaluate memory and care needs and provide clinical diagnosis for people showing signs of dementia.Dementia screening and community support services can provide initial screening and follow-up.

How to Tell if Memory Loss is Dementia or Normal Ageing

Occasional forgetfulness happens as people get older. Dementia is different: more persistent, more noticeable, more disruptive.

Key Differences Between Normal Ageing and Dementia

Aspects	Normal Ageing	Dementia
Forgetfulness	Occasional lapses (e.g., misplacing keys, forgetting names)	Frequent forgetfulness that affects daily life
Memory recall	Can recall later	Difficulty recalling important information (e.g., recent events, names)
Time/Place Confusion	Rare, usually retraced	Frequent disorientation, getting lost in familiar areas
Task Management	Mild delays in multitasking or remembering steps	Trouble completing familiar tasks (e.g., managing finances, cooking)
Personality and Judgment	Minor mood changes	Significant personality changes, poor decision-making, and lapses in judgment
Self-Care	Rarely neglected	Neglect of personal hygiene or daily activities (e.g., eating, bathing)

While someone experiencing normal aging might forget a name but recall it later, a person with dementia might forget a loved one’s name entirely, repeatedly asking the same questions without realizing it. The Alzheimer Society says 33% of people over 85 show signs of some form of dementia. Many older adults have mild cognitive changes that don’t affect daily life.

Can People with Dementia Stay in Nursing Homes? Understanding Care Options

Yes. People with dementia often live in nursing homes when they need constant supervision, specialized medical care, or help with daily tasks they can’t manage at home. We have services designed for people with dementia.

Key Details About Residential Care at JCCPA

Services: Long-term residential care and temporary/respite services (give caregivers a break).
Targeted users: People with dementia who need residential care but aren’t bedridden and don’t need intensive medical interventions like tube feeding.
Environment: Contrasting door colours between doors, walls, and floors, and adjustable lighting that mimics natural day and night cycles.
Other options: Memory Clinic for early assessment and diagnosis, dementia screening and community support services. If residential care isn’t needed yet, day care and community support might work better.

Dementia usually unfolds slowly. Families rarely have all the answers at the start. An early assessment makes the next step less confusing.

When Memory Loss Becomes Something More: A Hong Kong Family’s Guide