Dr. Lin Fang-yu was once a flagship figure in cardiac surgery at National Taiwan University Hospital—serving as its president (2004–2008), Director-General of Health, and leading Taipei Veterans General Hospital and Far Eastern Memorial Hospital. After retiring in 2021, within just five years, he became a dementia patient. This stark transformation has stirred societal awareness and empathy.

His wife, renowned plastic surgeon Dr. Lin Ching-yun, chronicles their journey in her book Thank You for Staying with Me, detailing the heartbreaking moments of caregiving: from forgetting patients he treated to getting lost 30 kilometers from home in a park. These stories are both poignant and a wake-up call. Dr. Chiu Kuan-ming, current president of Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, warns: “Dementia will become a major challenge for Taiwan’s future.”

Why does even a lifesaving, hospital-leading doctor fall to dementia?

Dementia isn’t simply a byproduct of aging but a result of brain degeneration and cumulative chronic damage, including:

• Alzheimer’s Disease: β-amyloid plaques and Tau protein buildup destroy brain cells (accounting for about half of dementia cases).

• Vascular Dementia: Caused by micro-vascular damage from stroke, hypertension, or diabetes.

• Other Types: Such as Parkinson’s-related dementia or Lewy body dementia.

• External Risk Factors: Air pollution, head trauma, and high cholesterol accelerate brain damage.

These effects creep silently, accumulating unnoticed until they strike even someone like Dr. Lin.

Early Warning Signs You Can’t Ignore

Dr. Lin Ching-yun notes that Dr. Lin showed early signs like forgetting treated patients, getting lost, repeating questions, or fragmented speech. Behavioral changes—such as anxiety, depression, or irritability—are often overlooked but can be critical early indicators.

June 23, 2025: New Drugs Arrive with Challenges

As this story resonates widely, Taiwan’s Ministry of Health and Welfare urgently approved two monoclonal antibody drugs—Kisunla (donanemab) and Leqembi (lecanemab)—for early Alzheimer’s treatment. The first patients received them at Far Eastern and Taipei Veterans General Hospitals, with one 83-year-old woman showing significant reductions in brain β-amyloid, potentially delaying disease progression by 4–5 years.

However, these drugs are not yet covered by National Health Insurance, with treatment costs reaching NT$1.5 million per cycle, limiting accessibility.

Lucky Phoenix’s Preventive Medicine Strategy

Guided by preventive medicine, we act before disease strikes, building a brain health safety net through lifestyle changes backed by scientific research:

• Exercise as the First Line of Defense:

  Global studies show that moderate aerobic exercise (e.g., brisk walking, swimming, cycling) for about 35 minutes weekly can reduce dementia risk by approximately 41%. More time yields even greater protection. Exercise boosts brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), promoting brain cell regeneration, memory, and executive function.

• Brain-Boosting Diet + Nutrition:

  Following Mediterranean or MIND diets—rich in vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and fish (at least one serving weekly)—can lower cognitive decline risk by 25–53%. Omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants support neural protection.

• Ongoing Brain Stimulation & Stress Relief:

  Engaging in cognitive activities like reading, playing instruments, games, or learning languages, along with social interaction, strengthens cognitive reserve and emotional stability.

• Health Monitoring & Early Intervention:

  Regularly track risk factors like hypertension, high blood sugar, high cholesterol, and head trauma. If cognitive decline is suspected, seek professional evaluation early to seize the optimal intervention window.

Your Action Plan for You and Your Family

• Exercise:

  At least three 30-minute sessions of moderate aerobic activity weekly (brisk walking, swimming, cycling).

• Brain-Boosting Diet:

  Emphasize dark leafy greens, nuts, fish, and extra-virgin olive oil as your primary cooking oil.

• Daily Brain Training:

  Incorporate puzzles, chess, social gatherings, or painting to stimulate the mind.

• Regular Screening & Early Assessment:

  Adults over 50 should establish a cognitive health record and seek intervention if decline is suspected.

  
  

“Memories may fade, but the emotions and dignity of being seen and supported never vanish.”

This journey—from a medical luminary to living with dementia—reminds us: prevention trumps treatment, and companionship outweighs medicine. When exercise, diet, brain training, and medical interventions unite, the canvas of memory gains an extra layer of protection, preserving those precious emotions and connections.

If you or your family have concerns about memory, contact us today. Let’s work together to safeguard every memory and enhance life’s quality from this moment forward.