‘Let’s Talk About Dementia-End The Stigma’! PAGE’s World Alzheimer’s Month Kicks Off
Mangaluru : A bunch of organizations and district authorities taking a step towards a “Dementia Friendly City” and with the 2019 theme ‘Let’s Talk About Dementia-End The Stigma’! launched the “World Alzheimer’s Month-September 2019” on Saturday, 1 September at Kadri Park-Mangaluru at 8 am to raise awareness of Dementia and Challenge Stigma, in association with ‘PAGE’ (People’s Association for Geriatric Empowerment) comprising of Vishwas Trust; Spoorthi Charitable Trust; Mangaluru; Alzheimer`s Association; Bright H.R Solutions; AGE Mangaluru; Lions Club; Rotary Club; Nitte University; KMC Nava Chaithanya; Yenepoya University; A J Institute of Medical Sciences; Inner Wheel, Samatha, Anantha Sowkhya of Seva Bharathi Trust; Mangalore Association of Senior Citizens; Susheg Trust; Ave Maria Palliative Care Home and Forum Mall.
PAGE is all set to make Mangaluru Dementia Friendly, and such important memories will make them stick. September 2019 will surely mark the Eighth global ‘World Alzheimer’s Month’, an international campaign to raise awareness of Dementia and challenge stigma. Alzheimer’s is an ailment which in simple language, takes one away from the reality of the present situation. Normally it is associated with forgetfulness. It is not just simple forgetfulness. It is an inability to relate the past to the present. In the final stages one no more recognizes one’s own family, he or she lives with, mistakenly takes the kitchen for the toilet or any other such gross discrepancies.
Today while Alzheimer’s is spreading fast, we have to find means of avoiding it by keeping the mind active, playing indoor games, solving cross word puzzles and other such, without getting alarmed over forgetfulness of immediate things which comes with ageing. At the same time the past is almost indelibly written in the memory. We must keep our minds active and receptive at all times. Dementia is a term used to describe different brain disorders that affect memory, thinking, behaviour and emotion. This disease knows no social, economic or ethnic boundaries. Alzheimer’s has no current cure, but treatments for symptoms are available and research continues.
Although current Alzheimer’s treatments cannot stop Alzheimer’s from progressing, they can temporarily slow the worsening of dementia symptoms and improve quality of life for those with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. Today, there is a worldwide effort under way to find better ways to treat the disease, delay its onset, and prevent it from developing. Organizations like PAGE/Mangalore Alzheimer’s Association (MAA) and many other associations/medical and social institutions are now bound to play an important role in caring for the elderly with symptoms of Alzheimer’s/Dementia. They say that Dementia has no cure, but a lot can be achieved by proper care and awareness projects organized by these concerned organizations, who have come forward for the rescue of the Dementia affected people.
Welcoming the gathering, Dr Prabha Adhikari-Founder of KMC Nava Chaitanya and Vice President of PAGE said, ” The theme for World Alzheimer’s Month 2019 “‘Let’s Talk About Dementia-End The Stigma’! We’re encouraging people all around the world to learn to spot the signs of dementia, but also not to forget about loved ones who are living with dementia, or those who may have passed away. We must not avoid but speak about the topic, Dementia. Twelve risk factors are likely to make an individual vulnerable to Dementia. Those who weighed below 2 kg at the time of birth, those who had completed education up to SSLC, those suffering from hearing impairment and/or obesity and those suffering from loneliness are likely to get Dementia”
The “World Alzheimer’s Month” was inaugurated by releasing a bunch of red and white balloons in the air, by the dignitaries on the dais namely- District Principal and Session Judge Kadloor Sathyanarayanacharya; K. Prabhakar Rao-Director, MCF; Ln Ronald Gomes- Lions Dist 317 D Governor; Dr Devraj- Principal, SDM Law College, Dr Prabha Adhikari- Vice President-PAGE; and Er Jeradin D’souza- Founder-MAA/Secretary of PAGE; Dr Olinda Pereira- President-PAGE; Mohan Raj- Secretary-PAGE; Lions Club President Shekar Poojary, among many others on the stage, which was followed by a short march past inside the Park.
District Principal and Sessions Judge Kadloor Sathyanarayanacharya said the loss of companionship is the greatest loss that leads to depression. Elderly people are haunted by a fear of neglect and we ourselves have to be blamed, he said. Yenepoya (deemed-to-be University) Pro Vice-Chancellor Dr C V Raghuveer expressed happiness on youth being involved in such awareness programmes on dementia. “Now it is time to take action, and take stock of the people, services, and information that will help you provide care. The earlier you get support, the better. PAGE and other organizations can help you. They should be made aware, for they too will turn old one day, stressed the Judge.. Mangalore Chemicals and Fertilizers (MCF) Director K Prabhakar Rao said the society should realize that elderly people are assets. Lions Club District Governor Ronald Gomes said his mother diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease sometimes forgets to swallow.
Following the formal ceremony, the enthusiastic group of elders and youngsters walked in the park participating in a contest, finding names of medicinal plants in the Kadri Park garden. There was laughter fun and smiles on every Seniors face. Seemed like it was truly a Holy ground ! The assembled ”Old Youngsters” sang and laughed with rare zest and energy. And the bevy of old-timers were joined by the “Big Star Attraction” of the day, “Selfie-Man”Er Jeradin D’Souza in their fun-n-frolic. After a few group photographs, everyone went home with sweet and happy memories..and such important memories…make them stick, with the theme of 2019. Sugar Test and Blood Pressure was conducted during the event by Yenepoya Hospital team. Many also registered their names for the Purple run, being planned by Forum mall to raise awareness on Dementia, on September 15.
“As part of WAM, Quiz for elders and medical students on Alzheimer`s disease; Poster Competition on Alzheimer`s disease for students on the 21 September; Care Giver Forum and activities; Training of health care professionals in Memory assessment ; Purple Run in association with Forum Mall on the 15th of September; and with a grand finale of Celebration of World Alzheimer`s Day on 21 September at 9.30 AM at Town hall with action plan for the year and entertainment by elders and students. We must Remember and Serve those who cannot Remember”, said Er Jeradin D’souza speaking to Team Mangalorean.
Er Jeradin further said, “The coming together of so many organizations to serve our Elders Cause is in itself a Great Victory and we shall use this Positive Energy to Make a Difference to the Quality of Life of our Elders.There will be Awareness & Prevention, Memory Test Clinics, Movies on Dementia , Involvement of all parts of Society from Students to Eminent Citizens. PAGE appeals to Everyone to be a part of This ” World Alzheimer’s Month ” and this is What Makes Mangaluru ,Truly a SMART City”
In conclusion, in my perspective, there is lack of awareness on the condition along with stigma.It is considered as madness ,and these individuals are socially isolated .To prevent wandering many of the elderly with dementia are even chained and fed as animals .They definitely need the love and care of the loved ones and the society at this stage of their lives. Although it is not curable ,early diagnosis has interventions that can keep them active and independent much longer. And to bring much awareness about this disease we have chalked out various projects during the World Alzheimer’s Month. Your support and patronage is very much needed in our efforts to make Mangaluru Dementia Friendly. Thank you all for your great support on behalf of PAGE!.
For more details contact: Vishwas Trust at 08242430718; Er Jeradin D’souza- 9844074759; Dr Prabha Adhikari at 9880991290 or E mail: prabha.raghuveer@gmail.com