As the population of Hong Kong is ageing, the number of people who are suffering from dementia is growing. According to the 2001 census, there are around 750,000 elderly people aged over 65 in Hong Kong, and is 11% of the total population. It is estimated that in 2031, this age group will come up to 24.8% of the population. Research showed that one-tenth of them would suffer from senile dementia, that is around 75,000 people are now living with the disease.
Hong Kong Alzheimer's Disease Association aims to provide services & resources for dementia suffers as well as their families. HKADA was established in September 1995 as a non profit-making charitable organization. It joined the Alzheimer's Disease International and Hong Kong Council of Social Services in 1996 & 1999 respectively and has been their members since then. HKADA was founded by a group of health care professionals including doctors, social workers, carers, academics and volunteers.
