World Alzheimer’s Month to be launched on 1 Sept by PAGE

World Alzheimer’s Month to be launched on 1 Sept by PAGE

September is World Alzheimer’s Month! PAGE (People`s Association of Geriatric Empowerment)-Mangaluru is all geared up for the inauguration scheduled for 1 September at Kadri Park at 7 am, rain or shine! Please support PAGE in their efforts of reducing dementia risk and help people living with Alzheimer`s Disease and other related Dementia.

Mangaluru: Addressing the media persons durin a press meet held at Mangalore Press Club, Dr Olinda Pereira-Director of Vishwas Trust for the Elderly said, ” On behalf of Mangalore Alzheimer’s Association (MAA), I would like to inform you that we the member organizations of PAGE are requesting your humble support in our effort to create awareness about this dreaded disease called Alzheimer`s disease and invite you for the launch on the Ist of September at Kadri Park between 7-8 AM and the grand Finale on 21st of September 2016 between 9-12 Noon at Town Hall.”

“We are happy to inform you that the programme is supported by Lions Club District 317D through their energetic Lions District Governor Ln Arun Shetty,Syndicate Bank, Karnataka Bank,Nitte Education Trust ,Indospect Pharma ,Vishwas Trust , Spoorthi Charitable Trust ,Susheng Trust, Avemaria Palliative Care Home. Other participating organisations are- KMC Nava Chaitanya Attavar and Bejai, AGE Mangalore ,Mangalore Senior Citizen Association,PROBUS Club, Bright HR Solutions, A.V.Baliga Trust-Udupi, KMC-Mangalore, KSHEMA, Yenepoya University, AJ Institute of Medical Sciences ,Abhaya Ashraya- Mangalore University, MV Shetty School of Social Sciences, Roshni Nilaya and other Schools of Social Sciences, St Agnes Special School Teacher Trainees. Captain Ganesh Karnik,MLC and Dr Jayarama MS of AJ Institute are supporting our efforts.Lions club will also release the Brochures for Education” added Dr Pereira.

Also speaking Dr Prabha Adhikari-Founder of KMC Nava Chaitanya said, ” The theme for World Alzheimer’s Month 2016 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.”

Dr Adhikari furthers aid, “The individual suffers from lot of depression, anxiety and fear at early stages ,abnormal behaviour, hallucinations with aggression at middle stage.There are lot of behavioural changes too .The care giver will suffer much more than the patient and will need lot of support and anxiety.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 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 form one stage to the other It is a progressive disease”.

“Dementia is a costly Disease .Although there is no cure ,drugs do help in preventing progression and managing symptoms .Lots of psychological interventions help both the patient and the carer .hence it is necessary to contact doctors.The cost is for dependence, drugs and psychological interventions and admission to care homes . Every 3 seconds, someone in the world develops dementia.World wide there are 35.6 million are suffering from dementia and 7.7 million new cases get added.58% of them live in developing countries. India and other developing countries are the worst hit because of population ageing and rising risk factors for dementia such as diabetes, physical inactivity ,midlife hypertension ,smoking and alcohol abuse .India is estimated to have nearly 4 million people with dementia and the number is likely to rise to nearly 13 million by 2050.it is the biggest cause of disability and dependence in old age. The disease is a costly disease with total world expenditure of 604 billion dollars per anum “added Dr Adhikari.

Er Jeradin D’souza-the Founder of Mangalore Alzheimer’s Association said, ” 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 commencing 1 September till 21 Sept. Your support and patronage is very much needed in our efforts to make Mangaluru Dementia Friendly”.

.Ln Arun Shetty-Governor of Lions District 317 D said, ” Lions is proud to be associated with this month long project. Activities Listed for the Month are-Launch of The Alzheimer`s Month at Kadri Park,Mangaluru on 1-9-2016 at 7 AM; Month long awareness programme at multiple locations for multiple groups , at least one by each PAGE group of organisations; Wearing Badges with the Theme Slogan–Remember Me at all meeting places during the month; Wearing Theme coloured dresses –Red and White or Red or White Throughout the month; Setting up of Memory clinic to popularize memory testing; and Celebration of the Alzheimer`s Day and Grand Finale on 21st September 2016 between 9-12 Noon at Town Hall”.

BT Salian – president of KMC Nava Chaitanya briefed about PAGE and its forthcoming projects .

Please note :Slogan Competition on Dementia /Memory within each organisation by writing the slogan on the pages of Memory pad that will be provided by the committee and select the two best slogans and send it to the committee for award by 10th September; Award for People living with dementia who have achieved something despite the diagnosis of dementia or Mild Cognitive Impairment –Please send nominations to PAGE Office through E mail or SMS by 10th September 2016.

Care Giver award –Please send nominations by sending the names and contact details of the care giver and the name of the patient with dementia that they are caring for and send it to PAGE office through E mail or SMS by 10th September 2016.

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