Bakti to do its best for Alzheimer’s patients

Ong Chin Kun was healthy, active and independent even when he was entering his 80s, but things started to change after a tai chi session a few years back –he could not recall where he had parked his car.
On another day, he forgot to activate the remote control when he reached home and drove straight into the automatic gate.
And he grew increasing stubborn and difficult.
His forgetfulness and odd behaviour made his family suspect that Ong, now 88, might be suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Their fears were confirmed in 2001.
His wife, Tan Geak Eee, 85, said he now needed a lot of care and depended on a cane when walking. “At times, he cannot remember the children’s names. He used to read the newspapers daily, but now, he spends most of the time eating and sleeping,” she said when met at the Alzheimer’s Day Care Centre in Taman Seputeh yesterday.
Tan added that her husband visited the centre twice a week to socialise with the people there.
Alzheimer's is an irreversible and degenerative disease that usually afflicts the elderly. It destroys brain cells, resulting in impaired memory and personality changes. Symptoms include disorientation and problems with language.
The wives of MCA ministers, deputy ministers and parliamentary secretaries paid a visit to the centre yesterday.
Datin Seri Wendy Ong, wife of Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting, said Bakti (the Association of Wives of Ministers and Deputy Ministers) would do its best to help the unfortunate, poor and sick, such as Alzheimer's patients.
A charity premiere of the Unforgettable Teresa Teng – A Musical Tribute show will be held on Oct 21 at Plenary Hall in the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre in aid of the Alzheimer’s Disease Foundation Malaysia.
Wendy is the patron of the fund-raising project, organised by Kechara House.
For tickets, call Kechara House at 03-7806 4582 or 03-7804 5862.
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