Presenting “Lost in Time”, a one-of-a-kind collection of artworks crafted by individuals grappling with Alzheimer’s.

By spotlighting the medically proven test for detecting early signs of Alzheimer's, we aimed to raise awareness and provide crucial assistance to those affected by the disease.

On World Alzheimer's Day, the collection debuted in the Shanghai metro, capturing the attention of over 17 million passers-by within 40 days.

Moreover, the poignant clock faces were transformed into wristwatches and auctioned off on World Health Day with the charity’s first-ever auction.

As of 2023, the elderly population in China has exceeded 290 million, accounting for one fifth of the total population. The figure is expected to exceed 400 million by 2035.

Out of the 4,023,700 seniors aged 65 and older in Shanghai, approximately 18 percent are at risk of cognitive impairment. According to the China Alzheimer’s Report of 2022, deaths caused by Alzheimer's have steadily increased to make it the fifth leading cause of death.

In contrast, many potential patients do not have access to early treatment before it’s too late to control the disease. This could be attributed to a lack of awareness about Alzheimer’s Disease, or the societal stigma attached to dementia and loss of cognitive abilities.

Data sources:

1.Insight Report into China Alzheimer’s Patients 2023, by Alzheimer's Disease Chinese (ADC)

2.The China Alzheimer Report 2022

3.World Alzheimer Report 2023, by Alzheimer’s Disease International

4.China National Demographic Survey 2023, by National Bureau of Statistics

China bears the burden of the world’s largest Alzheimer’s population, exceeding 10 million people suffering from the disease.

The progression of Alzheimer’s is such that the patient gradually becomes less capable of performing basic daily tasks without assistance. They start to lose cognitive abilities, spatial awareness, and the ability to process language and regulate emotions.

Unfortunately, 70% of those impacted miss out on early detection and treatment. Early detection and intervention could help slow down the disease’s progression by 15%.

Data source: https://alzres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13195-022-01047-y

Partnering with Jian Ai Charity, a non-profit focused on elderly brain health, we carried out clock-drawing test on hundreds of seniors suffering from Alzheimer's disease. The clock drawings reflected the different phases of early, middle, and advanced symptom advancement.

On World Alzheimer's Day 2023 on September 21st, we transformed Shanghai’s metro station into a distorted world of Alzheimer’s patients, showcasing five abnormal clocks to encourage passersby to learn more about Alzheimer’s and CDT.

The exhibition captured the attention of 2,748,900 people, with 17,867,850 visits, all witnessing a captivating temporal dislocation.

The more these clocks are designed and produced, the greater the potential for positive change. Nevertheless, our hope is a decrease in clocks like this and an increase in public awareness of the disease and the Clock Drawing Test.

21 million people reached

493 won press & posts

129 million impact

106% donations increased YoY

The Clock Drawing Test is a widely accepted and effective clinical tool for early detection of Alzheimer's disease. By drawing a clock, adding numbers, and setting the clock hands, the test examines multiple cognitive functions such as spatial navigation, memory, abstract thinking, math, and temporal navigation.

When memory, execution, or visuospatial ability are off, the clock can be distorted and unintelligible. In a lost world and distorted time caused by Alzheimer’s, seniors experience a failure to track the passage of time. For Alzheimer’s patients and their families, time is especially precious.

Our approach was to leverage The Clocking-Drawing Test, allowing those untouched by the disease to experience the unique challenges of the condition.

Though there is no known cure available for this condition, the sooner the disease is recognized and accepted, the better opportunity for slowing its advancement.