Stories

Betty’s Story

Dementia is not something we should be ashamed of; it’s a medical condition that needs proper care and support.

Hello, I’m Betty. I was born in Beijing and moved to Australia 30 years ago to be with my children. We settled in Kellyville. I used to work as a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, a profession I took great pride in. I’ve always been active, regularly practising Tai Chi in the park with my friends.

About three years ago, at the age of 68, I started experiencing frequent headaches and difficulty concentrating. I was also forgetting where I’d placed things and missing appointments. At first, I thought it was just stress and fatigue, but my daughter noticed my struggles and urged me to see a doctor.

I was hesitant at first because, in our culture, there’s often a reluctance to discuss mental health issues openly. We have a saying, 心病还需心药医 (Mandarin: xīn bìng hái xū xīn yào yī, Translation: A heart disease needs heart medicine). We believe many issues can be cured through willpower and traditional remedies. But my daughter insisted, and I decided to visit my GP.

The GP was very patient and understanding. After several tests and consultations, I was diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which could progress to dementia. It was a shock, but also a relief to understand what was happening to me.

The GP referred me to a specialist who gave me more detailed information about my condition. They also provided r esources from Dementia Australia, which helped me and my family understand more about dementia. I joined a support group for Chinese-speaking seniors, which has been a tremendous help. We share our experiences and support each other through this journey.

Thanks to the support from my family and the medical community, I’ve made some lifestyle changes. I continue practising Tai Chi, which helps with my balance and mental focus. I’ve also started using memory aids and keeping a daily journal to track my activities and thoughts.

I now encourage others in our community to seek medical advice if they notice any changes in their thinking abilities. Early diagnosis and intervention can make a significant difference. Dementia is not something we should be ashamed of; it’s a medical condition that needs proper care and support.