All’s Well that Ends Well! Adios to World Alzheimer’s Month

All’s Well that Ends Well! Adios to World Alzheimer’s Month

Mangaluru: All’s Well that Ends Well!-That’s right. Quoting Shakespeare’s words, “But with the word the time will bring on summer, When briers shall have leaves as well as thorns, All’s well that ends well; still the fine’s the crown; Whatever the course, the end is the renown “-all I can say is that the members of PAGE (People`s Association of Geriatric Empowerment) had done a marvelous job by organizing quite a few programmes/seminars/talks pertaining to Alzheimer’s disease during the “World Alzheimer’s Month” (WAM) which was kicked off on 1 September at Kadri park attended by a huge gathering- and today, 21 September the curtain came down at Town Hall- Mangaluru to say “Adios” to the unique and prestigious ‘WAM’, after a glittering valedictory function, which ended with the large group of old-timers joining in singing the “Give Me Some Sunshine” song from Rajkumar Hirani’s Bollywood film “3 Idiots”. Kudos, a job well done to PAGE members, and especially Dr Olinda Pereira, Dr Prabha Adhikari and Er Jerardin D’souza- the Board members.

Imagine a 65 year young ‘damsel?’ Juliet doing the Jive and shaking her hips, and a group of old-timers in their 60s, 70s and 80s unleashing their yoga talents learned during their morning exercise classes, by doing a dance move to the revised song named “Why This Yogaveri Di”, recomposed to the tune of “Why This Kolaveri Di”- a song from the soundtrack of the 2012 Tamil psychological thriller film, ‘3’, a song written and sung by Dhanush. The finale of the nearly 21 days of Alzheimer’s Awareness month did enthrall the large group of people, both young and old who had assembled at Town Hall. Now, many of the youngsters in the audience came to know that old-timers also do have talents, can do some funky moves, and they too can rock!

The programme began with invoking God’s blessings through a prayer song rendered by lady members of KMC Navachaitanya, followed by welcome address by Dr Olinda Pereira- Director of Vishwas Trust for the elderly, and also the President of PAGE, who said, “Dementia can affect all aspects of a person’s life, as well as their family’s. If you have been diagnosed with dementia, or you are caring for someone with the condition, remember that there is advice and support available to help you live well. People with dementia shouldn’t simply stop doing what they enjoy in life; instead, they should try to remain as independent as possible and continue to enjoy their usual activities. Over time, people with dementia will need help to cope at home, and they may even need residential care in a nursing home eventually”.

“It is natural to feel worried about the future, but you are not alone – whether you have dementia or you care for someone with the condition. PAGE and other social services and voluntary organizations under PAGE can all provide advice and support to help you and your family. Living a healthy lifestyle is important for everyone, including people with dementia, and is the best way to help prevent dementia. Eating well and exercising are important for everyone. PAGE has health and well-being advice for everyone. If a friend or family member finds it hard to talk to you, make the first move and explain that you still need to see them and tell them how they can help you. Thanks for your continued support during this Alzheimer’s Month, and we look forward to continued support in our future ventures” added Dr Pereira. Dr Prabha Adhikari briefed about the significance of World Alzheimer’s Day.

The programme was inaugurated by lighting the lamp by the dignitaries on the dais namely, Dr Shantharam Shetty- Pro-Chancellor, Nitte University; Krishna Palemar- Former State Minister; Mohammed Nazeer- Mangaluru City Corporation Commissioner; Sunder Poojary- Deputy Director, Dept. of Women and Child Development; Dr surendra Shetty- Pro-Chancellor, Manipal University; Dr Olinda Pereira- President, PAGE; Dr Prabha Adhikari- Vice President, PAGE; and BT Salian-President of KMC Navachaitanya. Addressing the gathering Dr Shantharam Shetty said, “In India, out of every 10 elderly couples in India, more than 6 are forced by their children to leave their homes. With no place to go and all hopes lost, the elderly have to resort to old age homes, which do not guarantee first class treatment. In India, unlike the USA, parents do not leave their children on their own after they turn 18 (of course there are exceptions), but children find it hard to accept the fact that there are times when parents want to feel the love that they once shared with them. There are times when parents just want to relax and want their children to reciprocate their care. Every parent wants to see their child grow and be successful but no parent wants their child to treat them like an unnecessary load on their responsibilities. Old-age people need love and care, and not money! I commend PAGE and its members for their initiatives and programmes aimed at caring and loving towards Alzheimer’s/Dementia people. Keep up the good work and may God bless you all”.

Other dignitaries on the dais also spoke about Dementia and urged the community, especially the youngsters to show love towards the older people, and particularly care for those diagnosed wit neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s/Dementia. They also complimented PAGE and its members for their concern towards people with Alzheimer’s, and also their unique projects bringing awareness about this disease. Prizes were distributed to the winners in the various contests like Best Slogan, Memory walk Treasure Hunt, Selfie with Senior, and many other organized during the WAM- and also few Alzheimer’s patients and their caretakers were felicitated during the occasion. In the “Selfie with Senior” contest, Felcy of Vishwas Trust won the first place (Selfie with Felcy!), and the second place won by Er Jerardin D’Souza. That’s not a surprise, for this man to win this prize, who spends half of his life on “Selfies”? In the WAM Dementia slogan contest, Octaplus Home healthcare Services bagged the award for their slogan “Don’t Forget Us, Because We Don’t Remember”.

The “Big” Star of the event Er Jeradin D’Souza, as always with some witty punchlines thanked everyone from the bottom of his heart for making this prestigious September Month dedicated towards People with Alzheimer’s a sheer success, and asked for community support in their forthcoming ventures pertaining to Alzheimer’s/Dementia. Yet another ‘Star Attraction’ of the day was pretty lass Rashmi UP, who compered the whole event very professionally, making the event more lively through some of her dialogues. The function ended with a cultural programme, with the Students of St Agnes Teachers Training Institute for Special Education- Bendore performing a mind-blowing dance sequence, and also the members of Navachaitanya and Spoorthi Trust performing a skit and dance. No doubt it was indeed a glittering and entertaining finale to a great month dedicated to people with Alzheimer’s.

In conclusion, “Every other day, we see news of parents being beaten up by their children, parents and in-laws being forced to do the household chores, being made to live in small dungeon-like rooms, their property being forcefully taken over by over ambitious children. According to NGOs incidences of elderly couples being forced to sell their houses are very high. Some elderly people have also complained that in the case of a property dispute they feel more helpless when their wives side with their children. Many of them suffer in silence as they fear humiliation or are too scared to speak up. After a certain age health problems begin to crop up leading to losing control over one’s body, even not recognizing own family owing to Alzheimer are common in old age. It is then children begin to see their parents as a burden. It is these parents who at times wander out of their homes or are thrown out. Some dump their old parents or grandparents in old age homes and don’t even come to visit them anymore”.

“Forget the rights that the elderly enjoy in India. Just forget about the action that they can take. Think on moral grounds. Why do we tend to forget that the reason we are in this world is our parents, the reason we studied is our parents, the reason we were alive all this while is our parents, the reason we survived all the diseases is our mother’s care. The hands who made us walk is our parents’. When we were kids we never thought of it but we knew that no matter what, our parents will be by our side. But when our time came to show our respect, to reciprocate the love, to show our gratitude, we back out. But the truth is that even when they are counting their last breath, they are still thinking of us! Is the youth too insensitive to the elder? Passing comments at an old man walking slowly on the road and disturbing the flow of the traffic are our ethics? Come on youth, stand up against such injustice. Do not treat your parents or grandparents like burden especially when they need you. Love and take care if you come across any people afflicted with Alzheimer’s? dementia, and make a difference in the community. You can do it – we all can do it to make “Mangaluru Dementia Friendly”. Thank You!

Just like the Valedictory function of “World Alzheimer’s Month” organized by PAGE ended with the old-timer’s rendition of the song “Give Me Some Sunshine “from the song from Rajkumar Hirani Bollywood 2009 movie “3 Idiots”, I too will end my column with the lyrics from the same song:

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“Saari umar hum
Mar mar ke jee liye
Ek pal to ab humein jeene do
Jeene do

Saari umar hum
Mar mar ke jee liye
Ek pal to ab humein jeene do
Jeene do

Saari umar hum
Mar mar ke jee liye
Ek pal to ab humein jeene do
Jeene do

Na na na….Na na na….Na na na….Na na nana na….

Give me some sunshine
Give me some rain
Give me another chance
I wanna grow up once again

Give me some sunshine
Give me some rain
Give me another chance
I wanna grow up once again

Kandhon ko kitabon
Ke bojh ne jhukaya
Rishvat dena to khud
Papa ne sikhaya
99% marks laaoge to ghadi, varna chhadi

Likh likh kar pada hatheli par
Alpha, beta, gamma ka chaala
Concentrated H2SO4 ne poora
Poora bachpan jalaa daala

Bachpan to gaya
Jawani bhi gayi
Ek pal to ab humein
Jeene do jeene do

Bachpan to gaya
Jawani bhi gayi
Ek pal to ab humein
Jeene do jeene do

Saari umar hum
Mar mar ke jee liye
Ek pal to ab humein jeene do
Jeene do

Na na na….Na na na….Na na na….Na na nana na….

Give me some sunshine
Give me some rain
Give me another chance
I wanna grow up once again

Na na na….Na na na….Na na na….Na na nana na….
Na na na….Na na na….Na na na….Na na nana na….

Also Read Related Articles Below:

• Social Worker Lidwin Lobo Crusades for Alzheimer’s Disease

• Alzheimer’s Disease – Why Are We Silent About it? – Dr Prabha Adhikari

• Grand and Colorful ‘World Alzheimer’s Month’ launched

• S.O.S! PAGE needs your support to Fight Alzheimer’s

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