PAGE to Kick Off ‘World Alzheimer’s Month’ on 31 August at Kadri Park
Mangaluru: September 21st every year is World Alzheimer’s Day around the world. This is an international campaign aimed at raising awareness and challenge the common stigma that surrounds Alzheimer related to dementia. Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease that impairs memory and other mental functions. It is the most common form of dementia that generalizes memory loss and loss of other essential cognitive abilities that are serious enough to interfere with an individual’s daily life.
September 2019 marks the 8th world Alzheimer’s month since the campaign was launched in 2012. From previous studies, an average of 2 out of 3 people globally have little or no understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and associated dementia in their countries. Since its inception, the impact of World Alzheimer’s Month is increasing. However, the stigmatization and lack of information surrounding dementia remain to be a global problem that calls for global action. Most people often think that this disease is a normal part of aging.
Locally here in Mangaluru, PAGE (People’s Association for Geriatric Empowerment) is playing an important role in bringing awareness on Alzheimer among the citizens of Mangaluru. So this year too the members of PAGE are all geared up for yet another launch of “World Alzheimer’s Month” on 31 August, with the BIG DAY finale on 21 September. The very enthusiastic team of PAGE- People’s Association for Geriatric Empowerment, met at Hotel Ocean Pearl on 17th August to plan out the observation of ” WORLD ALZHEIMERS MONTH “
The meaningful and colorful launch of The WORLD ALZHEIMER’S MONTH will kick off on 31st August at 7 AM at KADRI PARK-Mangaluru. A colorful launch with students and citizens dressed in RED & WHITE along with releasing the colorful balloons by eminent citizens of the city, from the Police Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, District Administration and MCC officials, Doctors, Entrepreneurs, Senior citizens, students, the Who’s Who will Join in to mark the occasion. There will be a WALK by everyone assembled and a game to test the memory will be organized.
Various health tests like- Memory test, Blood Pressure, Diabetic check and minor health-related check-up will be conducted. And the fun part of the day will be the melodious singing of Senior Citizens, where they will bring back memories of yesteryears songs by Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar, Mohammed Rafi, Jim Reeves, Elvis Presley, combined with a few Konkani hits by Jerome D’souza, Wilfy Rebimbus, Henry D’Souza and others.
File Photos of 2018 World Alzheimer’s Month Kick-Off
The month-long programmes will include TALK by eminent doctors at various places, including memory tests, activities for senior citizens, meetings at various. Er Jerardin D’Souza Founder of MAA – Mangalore Alzheimer’s Association & Secretary of PAGE briefed on the World Alzheimer’s Month activities, while Dr Prabha Adhikari, Vice President, PAGE, urged everyone to participate actively in the month-long activities. The meeting was chaired by nonagenarian Dr. Olinda Pereira, the President of PAGE, and also the Founder of Vishwas Trust- an NGO for the elderly. Hap..hap..happy belated Birthday wishes to Dr Olinda, who turned “SWEET 94” on 15 August 2019. Mohanraj, Joint Secretary, PAGE, took down minutes and shared his Insights.
It members also decided to actively participate and support the ” PURPLE RUN ” being organized by Fiza Forum Mall on SEPTEMBER 15th since PAGE is a Partner. Active and still young at heart seniors of PAGE, namely- Zahid Hussain Baji, Rita Rodrigues, Surendra Bekal and his wife, Mark Saldanha, Ms.Harsha, and other office-bearers of various organizations and members of PAGE shared their insights. PAGE requests people of Mangaluru to actively participate in all the ALZHEIMER’S activities in SEPTEMBER.