As dementia is an emerging public health issue that might pose a challenge to police officers handling dementia patients, the Research Centre of the School of Specialised Learning invited a Medical and Health Officer, Dr Grace Wong, and an Occupational Therapist, Mr Martin Cheung, both from the Department of Health (DH), to speak on the subject in session 4 of the "Beyond Boundaries Learning Series" on July 16.
 

The speakers shared their knowledge and experiences of handling dementia cases, including clients' symptoms, practical techniques to manage clients' behaviour (e.g. sauntering), and their special needs in communication. The audience found the sharing session very useful in helping them to offer timely assistance to dementia patients.
 

Dementia is a progressive brain disease, causing decline in cognitive and intellectual functions such as forgetfulness, memory disorders, personality changes and learning difficulties. Patients gradually deteriorate with impaired functioning in daily activities, some also having emotional and behavioural problems.