Stories

Cheong’s Story

It’s important to talk about dementia, understand the symptoms, and get a GP assessment early.

Hi, I’m Kuo Cheong Tan. I used to be an Army General in Singapore, and I’ve always been a man of action. I moved to Sydney with my family 20 years ago. I had some habits I’m not too proud of, like smoking and heavy drinking, but that was part of my vigorous lifestyle. I also dealt with diabetes and high blood pressure.

Five years ago, I had a stroke. After that, I noticed my memory was getting worse, and I was having trouble finding the right words. I thought it was just part of getting older, but it turned out to be more serious. In our Chinese culture, there’s a lot of stigma around dementia. People call it ‘Dummy Disease,’ and I was scared of that label.

My condition kept getting worse, and my friends at the local Christian church noticed. They encouraged me to see a doctor. With their support, I finally went to see a GP. The GP was very understanding and referred me to a geriatrician. After some tests, they told me I had both Parkinson’s Disease and dementia. It was a hard pill to swallow, but it was also a turning point for me.

My GP and geriatrician set up a care plan to help me manage my symptoms. They introduced me to various treatments and therapies, which made a big difference. I also joined a Chinese Parkinson’s social group at my church, where I found support and understanding from others going through the same thing.

Learning about dementia has been eye-opening. It’s not just about forgetting things; it also affects mood, behaviour, and physical abilities. With resources from D ementia Australia and the help of my healthcare team, my family and I learned a lot about how to deal with it.

Now, I want to share my story to help others. It’s important to talk about dementia, understand the symptoms, and get a GP assessment early. Addressing it head-on can really improve the quality of life of those affected and their families.