Director's Forum on Gerontology: Prevention is the Best Treatment - Dr. Xiu-Zhi Liu Discusses Dementia and Care for the Elderly-國立成功大學永續發展SDGs

On March 2nd, Dr. Xiu-Zhi Liu, a professor in the Department of Neurology at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University and a contracted neurologist at Taipei Veterans General Hospital, was invited to give a lecture at the College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University. The lecture, titled "What 34 Years of Medical Practice Has Taught Me," covered Dr. Liu's academic journey, experiences as a physician, caregiving for the elderly, dementia-related knowledge, and dementia prevention. Dr. Liu, who previously served as the Director of Neurology at Taipei Veterans General Hospital, is an expert on dementia in Taiwan, and her presence attracted a large audience of faculty and students.


The lecture was the first session of the "Director's Forum," organized by the Institute of Gerontology at National Cheng Kung University. Dr. Ming-Chyi Pai, the director of the Institute of Gerontology, expressed his honor in inviting Dr. Liu. He admired Dr. Liu's academic achievements and her active contributions through blog posts, magazines, and book publications. Dr. Liu introduced her two new books during the lecture, titled "How You Treat the Elderly Determines Their Response to You" and "Allocate Time for Yourself." Dr. Bai praised Dr. Liu's rich experience, passion for sports, love for learning, and positive energy, expecting her to deliver an insightful sharing session.


Dr. Liu's humorous and engaging speech kept the audience entertained throughout. She emphasized that with Taiwan's aging society, dementia has become a concern, affecting both the current and future generations. Dr. Liu highlighted that dementia prevalence increases with age, especially in Taiwan's aging population, necessitating greater attention to the health and care of the elderly.


"Prevention is the best treatment, and the earlier, the better," Dr. Liu stressed. While dementia symptoms can be delayed, they are irreversible, making prevention crucial. Healthy diet, exercise, social engagement, and lifelong learning to keep the brain active are essential preventive measures. Dr. Liu encouraged seniors to plan their retirement life carefully for themselves and their caregivers. She suggested that the government and society promote healthy lifestyles and social activities more vigorously and allocate more resources to the long-term care system.


Dr. Liu also urged senior doctors to mentor young physicians, emphasizing that nurturing the next generation of doctors is not only a source of pride but also a contribution to society. She humorously added, "Today's students will be the doctors who will take care of us when we get old, so we must nurture them well," emphasizing the importance of investing in gerontological studies for one's own future. Dr. Liu shared many insights on learning and working with students, encouraging them to develop resilience in facing challenges and seize opportunities to showcase their talents.


The Institute of Gerontology at the College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, was established in 2006 as the first institute in Taiwan to cultivate practical and research talents in gerontology. Its mission is to train students in holistic health care and humanistic concerns in gerontology, focusing on the potential of the elderly as producers and the social conditions needed for them.