Elderly Wife Battles Cancer While Caring for Husband with Alzheimer's, Finds Hope Through Community Support
HK01 · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
A 70-year-old Hong Kong woman, referred to as Mrs. Tse, has been fighting Stage 4 pancreatic cancer while caring for her husband, Mr. Tse, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2021. The couple's journey highlights the challenges faced by elderly caregivers in Hong Kong's aging society, where "caring for the elderly with the elderly" cases are becoming increasingly common. With support from community services and family, Mrs. Tse has managed to maintain a positive outlook despite her dual battles with cancer and caregiving responsibilities.
Key Points
- Mr. Tse, a former IT professional known for his logical thinking and love of sports, began showing symptoms in 2019-2020, including becoming disoriented during a trip to Japan where he was lost in a department store restroom for nearly 20 minutes
- He was formally diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2021, after which his personality changed dramatically from being socially active to withdrawn, refusing to leave home and sleeping most of the day
- Mrs. Tse attended numerous caregiver courses at community centers and, following a hospital social worker's recommendation, enrolled Mr. Tse in the Wan Chai Health Support Service Centre in early 2023, initially receiving two days of day care per week
- In September 2023, Mrs. Tse was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer, yet she remained determined to continue caring for her husband, stating she could not give up as there was no one else to look after him
- The care centre responded by increasing Mr. Tse's day care from two to six days per week, significantly reducing Mrs. Tse's caregiving burden and allowing her to focus on cancer treatment
Why It Matters
Hong Kong's rapidly aging population means elderly caregiver cases will continue rising, making community support services essential for families facing similar dual burdens of illness and caregiving responsibilities .
Hong Kong's rapidly aging population means elderly caregiver cases will continue rising, making community support services essential for families facing similar dual burdens of illness and caregiving responsibilities .