TAIPEI, Taiwan (CNA) - A local charity that supports the welfare of Alzheimer's disease patients can now use the private residence of former Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian for free. The Taiwan Alzheimer's Disease Association was chosen from more than 30 groups that filed applications to use the residence in Taipei City. The ex-president's son, Chen Chih-chung, made the charitable offer last year.

Those who qualify can take their Alzheimer's-stricken family members to the residence once per week to partake in some gardening, exercising, playing of mahjong or singing, said Tang Li-yu, secretary-general of the association, on Thursday.

"Their family members can take a break and chat with others," she said. "This will help relieve some of the pressure they shoulder in taking care of their sick relative."
According to the association, there are currently 170,000 Alzheimer's disease patients in Taiwan.

Jail

Chen Shui-bian, who served as president from 2000-2008, was sentenced to a total of 19 years in jail in December for two corruption cases during his presidency. He is currently serving his sentences, which were combined and adjusted to 17.5 years.
His wife, Wu Shu-jen, who also received a total of 19 years in the same cases, has been granted a postponement of her sentence until her health improves. She is paralyzed from the waist down, and suffers other chronic illnesses.
The former president's family moved to the southern city of Kaohsiung in 2009.