"She Doesn't Even Like Going Outside"—Tae Jin-ah's Wife's Latest Update in Her Battle with Dementia [Health Talk]

[Financial News] Singer Tae Jin-ah said that his wife, Lee Ok-hyeong, who is battling Alzheimer's disease (AD), has remained largely unchanged for about the past year. Alzheimer's disease is a degenerative brain disorder in which cognitive function gradually declines, and its progression and symptoms vary from person to person.

In a video recently released on the channel "Miss & Mister Trot," Tae Jin-ah shared an update on his wife's condition. He said, "My wife has dementia, so when we went somewhere like a broadcasting station, I used to go around with her while pushing her wheelchair. But these days, she doesn't really like that either. She doesn't like going outside."
He added, "The progression of her dementia has currently stopped. It's been that way for almost a year. I'm truly grateful."
Tae Jin-ah's wife was reportedly diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2019. Tae Jin-ah has shared details of his daily life caring for his wife on numerous occasions through television appearances and interviews.

AD generally progresses gradually. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency's National Health Information Portal states that dementia caused by AD typically progresses from normal cognition to mild cognitive impairment, early-stage dementia, moderate dementia and severe dementia.
However, the rate of progression varies from person to person. Symptoms may appear not to change significantly for a period of time, and medication or lifestyle management may help delay their worsening. Seoul National University Bundang Hospital explains that cognitive enhancers for AD cannot completely stop the disease itself but may help slow its progression.
Therefore, even if family members feel that the disease's progression has stopped, its actual course should be assessed by checking memory, language ability, walking, eating, bowel and bladder function, sleep and the ability to perform daily activities.

Dementia is not diagnosed based on memory loss alone. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency states that dementia may be diagnosed when cognitive decline becomes severe enough to interfere with daily life. In AD, memory loss often appears first, but impaired judgment, language difficulties, spatial awareness problems and behavioral changes may also occur.
Seoul National University Bundang Hospital's Center for Neurocognitive and Behavioral Disorders also reports that people with AD may experience various behavioral changes, including depression, anxiety, irritability and delusions.
The change Tae Jin-ah described—"She doesn't like going outside"—may overlap with one of the various behavioral changes seen in people with dementia. However, the cause cannot be definitively attributed to AD based solely on his public remarks.

As AD progresses, the ability to perform daily activities may decline in addition to memory. People may eventually need help with basic tasks such as eating, getting dressed, bathing and moving around.
The National Health Information Portal explains that actual ability to perform daily activities is considered more important than age alone when determining eligibility for Long-Term Care Insurance. People whose daily lives have become difficult because of AD, vascular dementia or other conditions may apply for Long-Term Care Insurance.
The reason a person with dementia uses a wheelchair cannot automatically be attributed to the progression of dementia. Various factors, including joint disease, reduced muscle strength, the risk of falls and other neurological conditions, may be involved. Any change in walking ability therefore requires an evaluation of its cause.

Dementia is not diagnosed through a single test. Seoul National University Bundang Hospital states that clinical assessments, neuropsychological testing, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) may be used to determine whether dementia is present and identify its cause.
Other conditions can also cause cognitive decline resembling dementia. Seoul National University Bundang Hospital advises that an accurate diagnosis is necessary because treatable causes—including depression, medication side effects, metabolic disorders and autoimmune diseases—may lead to cognitive decline.
Treatment for AD combines cognitive enhancers, lifestyle management and, when necessary, treatment for behavioral and psychological symptoms. Seoul National University Bundang Hospital says it also evaluates and manages factors that may affect cognitive decline, including nutritional status, activity levels and sleep.

[email protected] Han Seung-gon Reporter