The Taiwan Alzheimer's Disease Association (TADA) announced yesterday that it will provide free examinations and counseling for Alzheimer's on Saturday in 13 counties and cities around the nation.
The event is part of efforts to raise public awareness about the disease.
The association's president Lee Ming-been (
But Lee said research in other countries demonstrates that the medicine used to treat Alzheimer's is more effective if the disease can be diagnosed early. The degeneration of the cerebral function can be slowed significantly, he said.
Tang Li-yu (
"Most family members said they tend to ignore the symptoms at the beginning because they think they are no big deal," Tang said.
"They only begin to worry about it as the situation deteriorates," she added.
TADA's examination and counseling event will be held simultaneously on Saturday in 13 counties and cities, including Taipei, Tao-yuan, Hsinchu County, Yunlin County, Chiayi, Tainan, Kaohsiung, Pingtung, Ilan County and Hualian County.
It has gained support from the Department of Health, the Ministry of the Interior and 60 other non-government groups.
Besides the event, TADA said yesterday the association will also publish a brochure and a CD-ROM on the disease by the end of the year.
According to the association, the disease is more likely to occur in people over 65.
Statistics from the Department of Health show that there are around 20,000 people nationwide who have been diagnosed with the disease. TADA estimates the number may be as high as 100,000.
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