Mangaluru: ”World Alzheimer’s Day” was observed with Great Care and Love, and in a Celebratory mood by the members of ten Organizations at Kadri Park on Sunday, 27 September evening.The Organizations that participated in this Life Enhancing Event ::Peoples Association for Geriatric Empowerment (PAGE) were:
Vishwas Trust; KMC Nava Chaitanya; Spoorthi Charitable Trust; Mangalore Senior Citizens Association; AGE Mangalore; Mangalore Alzheimer’s Association -MAAPOBUS Club; SAHAAYA; Bright HR Solutions; KMC Mangalore and Centre for Integrated Learning (CIL).
”Exercise at Least TWICE a Week and Reduce Dementia” said one banner displayed by a volunteer. “A great initiative has been taken in creating awareness and supporting the Alzheimer’s affected families by Dr.Prabha Adhikari, Geriatrician, KMC & Er. Jerardin D’souza.,Founder, Mangalore Alzheimer’s Association MAA” said Dr.Olinda Pereira ,Director, Vishwas Trust as she inaugurated the ”Alzheimer’s Walk” .at Kadri Park, where lot of Elders [Senior Citizens] as also youngsters from Centre for Integrated Learning joined in to make the evening a very touching and memorable one.
”By walking and then reverse Walking, the Brain gets stimulated and is ideal for elders as well as the people with Alzheimer’s risk” said Dr.Prabha Adhikari . ”When I was small I wondered what degree BSW and MSW meant and what could be taught in social work? and Dr.Olinda Pereira is the Umbrella under whom all social work activities happen as she was the Founder Principal of Premier Social work Institute Roshini Nilaya” said Er.Jerardin D’souza as he presented a Booklet on ”Care Giving of Dementia affected” written by Psychiatrist and CMO of AV Baliga Hospital Udupi to both Dr.Olinda Pereira and Dr.Prabha Adhikari.
The enthusiastic group of elders and youngsters walked in the park singing fun songs, laughing and celebrating being old yet energetic. Dr.Olinda Pereira , the 90 year young spirited Lady said ” I will walk a little ” and joined in the ‘walk’ putting the ‘Younger Lazy generation’ to shame. Dr.Prabha had brought her affected patients too for the walk was very attentive and motivating towards them.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. Kannada ,Konkani, English and Tulu Songs were sung with rare camaraderie. Dr.Anusuya Salian sang an English number ”Meet meet me tonight in the moonlight” sending peals of laughter all around. A Senior lady sang old numbers accompanied by mouth organ adding Life to the gathering. Kusuma started the ”Laughing” exercise as they regularly do it in their ‘Laughing Club”
Mohan Raj, an entrepreneur brought oranges and shared with everyone. Various organizations brought biscuits, fruits, soft drinks and shared it with great love and fun. Keeping ‘Swachh Bharath’ in mind, Nandagopal , Shwetha, Disha, Sumith, Satya of CIL went around collecting all the orange peels and waste to dispose of with proper civic sense. The Walk, The Talk, The Song, The Jokes, The Dance, The Music and the overall relaxing and Life enhancing ”World Alzheimer’s Day ” Observation was the initiative of Dr.Prabha Adhikari, who devotes lot of time and energy to the Seniors.
very good coverage
Beautifully narrated the event