The Role of Caregivers in the Management of Alzheimer’s Disease : Examples from Asian Countries

Abstract

The demographic profile of the Asian population is rapidly changing, with a fast increasing ageing population, owing to an increase in longevity and a decreasing birth rate. Moreover, due to improved medical facilities and the increased aged population, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is fast emerging as a major health problem in many Asian countries. As curative treatment for AD is still elusive, care giving is an important component of the management of AD. While Western countries have recognised this issue, besides highly industrialized Japan, the Asian initiative has been relatively slow. This article aims to address issues involved in caregiving in AD in some Asian countries.