JOIN USCaregivers pledge brains of their loved ones
More than 250 volunteers, patients, caregivers took a ‘Memory Walk’ from Lalbagh to Nightingales Dementia Day Care Centre at Richmond Town, to mark the occasion of ‘World Alzheimer’s Day.’
Dr S K Shankar, Project Co-ordinator, (HBTR - Brain Bank), Department of Neuropathology, Nimhans said, “Today, a significant step has been taken by the caregivers who pledged their loved ones’ brains. Now, we will be able to study the nature and cause of Alzheimer’s and Dementia-related diseases more efficiently.”
He added that both mental and physical exercise is required to maintain good health. If any symptoms of forgetfulness is found among any of the family members, it is better to get them screened at the earliest.
Extending support from the Government, Dr Mohan Raj, Additional Director, Department of Health and Family Welfare, assured that the Government will take these diseases more seriously and extend all possible support to make the lives of the patients affected with dementia, better.
Experts associated with Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders Society of India (ARDSI) called upon people to donate brains and blood (10 ml), irrespective of whether one is affected with Dementia-Alzheimer’s or not, to promote research, related to the disease.
An estimated 24 million people suffer from Alzheimer’s worldwide and 3.2 million cases have been reported in India and over 30,000 are reported in Bangalore. The number of dementia patients is likely to double every 20 years, with one new case every seven seconds, the number of people with dementia and related diseases will increase to 81 million by the year 2040.
Symptoms of dementia
* Memory impairmentn Difficulty in performing tasks
* Disorientation regarding time, place, person
* Changes in mood and behaviour
* Problem in self-expression
* Difficulty in performing activities of daily living
Support In Bangalore:
* Nightingales Dementia Day Care
* Training of caregivers
* Dementia helpline
* Support Group Meetings
* Online screening through www.dementiabangalore.com
* Memory Clinics at Sandhya Kirana, Nimhans, Manipal Hospital, M S Ramaiah Hospital, Spandana Nursing Home and HOSMAT Hospital.
Day care
Nightingales Medical Centre is in the process of setting up a 62-bed ‘Day Respite Centre’ for people suffering from Alzheimer’s and Dementia-related problems at Kasturi Nagar, near Old Madras Road. The Centre is likely to be inaugurated in January, 2010.