Taiwanese veteran artist Li Yaping, who has been out of the public eye for a long time, shocked the public on December 17 when she revealed on a show that she has been diagnosed with dementia. Doctors informed her that it was a complication resulting from years of depression, autism, and bipolar disorder. Currently, she is undergoing treatment with medication, and the news has left many stunned.
After the passing of their second daughter, Yuanyi, due to cancer in 2022, Li Yaping spent the following three years living in near isolation, constantly in tears. Recently, while filming the show “Fate is Fun” with her daughter-in-law Rou Rou, her deteriorating health raised concerns. Not only did she experience bouts of dizziness that required assistance, she also confirmed her dementia and memory loss symptoms, stating that the doctor attributed them to the long-term effects of depression, autism, and bipolar disorder.
In the program, the 75-year-old Li Yaping revealed the extent of her condition, showing severe cognitive impairment due to emotional issues: she would forget the identity of someone she had just spoken to seconds before, and she once woke up at 4 am thinking it was 4 pm. She would mutter to herself at home and even forget that her beloved pet had passed away many years ago.
According to SET News, Li Yaping agreed to appear on the program this time because her eldest daughter, Xiaoping, noticed she had not left home for a year and encouraged her to meet up with old friends. At present, she is receiving regular medication treatments. However, while Li Yaping publicly disclosed her dementia diagnosis, her son, Xiangquan, emphasized that it was a “pre-dementia symptom.”
When discussing her recent situation, Li Yaping choked up and mentioned that she frequently dreams of deceased friends visiting her for a chat, leading her to wake up in tears each time, greatly worrying her family. Regarding her decision to step out of her home and appear on the show, she admitted that at this stage, there aren’t many programs she can participate in, and she will consider the suitability of her health and the themes before committing to future appearances.