Health Talk: Every Alzheimer's caregiver deserves recognition

Every family caring for someone with Alzheimer's deserves recognition, says Hu Yong, professor of Journalism and Communication at Peking University, in an exclusive interview with CGTN.

In 2020, Hu's mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, a form of dementia that affects memory, thinking and behavior. Since then, he has served as her primary caregiver, providing round-the-clock support for four years as her condition has progressively worsened.

In China, home-based care remains the most common choice for Alzheimer's patients, supplemented by institutional care options such as nursing homes and community-based assistance programs.

China has an estimated 9.83 million people living with Alzheimer's. Each patient requires about 1.6 caregivers on average, according to Luo Xiao, a radiologist at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University's School of Medicine. Luo, also known as Dr. Luo Xixi, has been actively raising public awareness of the disease by sharing educational videos online.

Given the shortfall in caregiving resources and the overwhelming demand for care, families shoulder much of the responsibility. This places enormous emotional, physical, and financial burdens on relatives, many whom often lack adequate support or training for such demanding caregiving roles.

World Alzheimer's Day is observed on September 21 each year to raise awareness about dementia and support those affected by the condition. Globally, around 57 million people were living with dementia in 2021, with Alzheimer's disease accounting for 60–70 percent of all cases, according to the World Health Organization. As population age, the numbers continue to rise, making caregiver support and recognition increasingly critical.

Executive Producer: Zhang Jingwen

Producer: Yang Sha

Directors: Li Yue, Xu Wen, Zhong Xia

Video editor: Li Yue

Videographer: Guo Huakang

Cover photo: Zhu Shangfan, Jia Jieqiong

Medical consultant: Luo Xiao