With the Theme ‘Remember Me’- World Alzheimer’s Month Kicks Off at Kadri Park

With the Theme ‘Remember Me’- World Alzheimer’s Month Kicks Off at Kadri Park

Mangaluru: A bunch of organizations and district authorities taking a step towards a “Dementia Friendly City” and with the theme “Remember Me”, launched the “World Alzheimer’s Month-September 2017” on Friday, 1 September at Kadri Park-Mangaluru at 7 am to raise awareness of Dementia and Challenge stigma, in association with ‘PAGE’ (People’s Association for Geriatric Empowerment) comprising of Kasturba Medical College,Mangaluru; Vishwas Trust; Spoorthi Charitable Trust; Mangaluru Alzheimer`s Association; Action Group of The Elderly (AGE -Mangaluru); Pro Bus Club(Club for Professional and Business People ); Mangalore Senior Citizen Association (MaSCA); Bright HR Solution and Services; Indospect Pharma; Abhaya Ashraya; Susheng Trust; A V BaligaTrust; Nitte Education Trust; Syndicate Bank; Karnataka Bank; Lions Club ,DK district; Rotary Club, Mangalore Midtown; Ave Maria palliative Care Home; Yenepoya Medical College; Sahaya; St. Aloysius College.; Manaswini Psychiatric Hospital; Father Muller’s Medical College; and A.J.Medical College.

Mangaluru: Talk about a perfect weather- No Rain, Only Shine!- and for that matter all the “Youngsters” between the age of 50 plus to 80 plus woke up early in the morning and assembled at the Kadri park ground for the big launch of World Alzheimer’s Month- while the other “Youngsters” who were lazy to get up being a lazy day and Holiday due to Bakrid, showed up a bit late and joined everyone at the Park, to make it a huge gathering. Many attired in red and white, a few in just red clothing, others attired in just white, while a few others attired in their preferred clothing gathered to support a good cause pertaining to Alzheimer’s disease. It’s indeed nice to note that the City of Mangaluru with the tremendous efforts put in by the energetic members of “PAGE” ( People’s Association for Geriatric Empowerment) in taking its step towards a “Dementia Friendly City”.

With the theme “Remember Me” for this Alzheimer’s Month, PAGE is all set to make MangaluruDementia Friendly, and such important memories.. will make them stick . September 2017 will surely mark the sixth 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 2017 is Remember Me. 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. What is Dementia? It is a disease of the brain with death of nerve cells of the brain and its connections. Although it starts with memory loss, as the disease spreads to other parts of the brain, the individual looses his ability to speak, understand, calculate, judge, and slowly changes the person and his personality beyond recognition. In its final stages the disease affects his ability to speak, eat, bathe, walk or self care completely that he becomes totally dependent.”

She further said “The individuals suffer from a lot of depression, anxiety and fear at early stages, abnormal behaviour, hallucinations with aggression at middle stage.There are a lot of behavioural changes too. The care giver will suffer much more than the patient and will need a lot of support. It may completely change a dignified elderly beyond recognition. This not only distresses the patient but also the loved ones who will have to struggle to manage such a patient and try and keep up the dignity of the individual for nearly 7-10 years. Alzheimer`s Disease is a type of Dementia named after the German doctor who described the disease. Dementia is a slow disease. It takes 6-10 years to progress from one stage to the other It is a progressive disease. During this month we will bring awareness about this disease through various programmes in trying to improve the quality of life of those suffering from dementia and their Carers”.

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- Dr Olinda Pereira- President-PAGE; MLA J R Lobo, Police Commissioner T R Suresh IPS, Dr Devraj- Principal, SDM Law College, Soujanya Hegde- “Mrs Popular” – Haute Monde Mrs India World 2017 pageant; Film producer Sandeep Malani; Dr Ravish Kunda- well-known Psychiatrist , Dr Prabha Adhikari- Vice President-PAGE; and Er Jeradin D’souza- Founder-MAA. -which was followed by a short march past inside the Park. Addressing the gathering, Dr Olinda Pereira- Founder/Director of VishwasTrust for the Elderly, and also the President of PAGE 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 wellbeing 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.” added Dr Pereira.

Police Commissioner Suresh and MLA J R Lobo also spoke and complimented the organizers for organizing such a programme to bring awareness about Alzheimer’s disease, thereby help the seniors- and they both urged the citizens of Mangaluru to show love and care towards the seniors, especially the children should care for their parents and grandparents during their old-age, and not neglect them.

Er Jeradin D’souza-the Founder of Mangalore Alzheimer’s Association during the vote of thanks said, ”There is lack of awareness of 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 are very much needed in our efforts to make Mangaluru Dementia Friendly. Thank you all for your great support”.

Following the formal ceremony, the enthusiastic group of elders and youngsters walked in the park participating in a contest, finding names of 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, including one with a black stray dog which had also enjoyed the company of the Seniors, everyone went home with sweet and happy memories..and such important memories…make them stick, with the theme “Remember Me”.

During this “World Alzheimer’s Month”, various programmes have been planned, namely : Story telling Competition on memory Loss and an awareness programme between 2-9-2017 and 18-9-2017 in various organizations working for the elders; Story Telling Competition for Elders –Finals at Forum Fiza Mall on 21-9-2017; Grand Finale –Town Hall on 23-9-2017 between 9-12 noon with the launching of the Documentary on Alzheimer`s Disease -I don’t Miss Him and Entertainment by Seniors; Purple Run from Forum Mall 5AM to7AM on 24-9-2017; among many other projects. How can you Help in the War against Dementia? By deputing your students for the programme; By an awareness programme in your own organisation; By becoming member of PAGE; By bringing People with dementia to the programme; By identifying Care Givers/Family members of patients with dementia; By sponsoring Refreshments for the events; For contributing prizes for the event; By giving your advertisement for a souvenir which will include elder care facilities in Mangaluru.

Chatting with a bevy of damsels and Elders, Jeradin shared a joke -“An elderly gentleman goes to the clinic to get his finger dressed. He constantly looks at his watch. The nurse asks him, “Sir, you seem to be in a great hurry.” “Yes, madam, I want to have breakfast with my wife.” The nurse smiles, “You seem very romantic even at this age,” she says. “No madam, my wife is suffering from Alzheimer’s and she does not know me for the past 5 years.” “So you can go anytime since she does not know who you are,” says the nurse. The gentleman with tears in his eyes says,”But madam, I know who she is….”. This my friends, is the unconditional love that is required to deal with the Dementia afflicted, concluded Er Jerardin D’Souza while saying goodbye to everyone that came for the launch of “World Alzheimer’s Month”,- in response he received a thundering applause.

For more details contact: Vishwas Trust at 08242430718 or Dr Prabha Adhikari at 9880991290 or E mail: prabha.raghuveer@gmail.com

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