To mark World Alzheimer’s Day, the Bhubaneswar chapter of Alzheimer’s & Related Disorders Society of India organised programmes for community engagement and awareness on dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Dementia and Alzheimer’s are growing issues in society and remain highly stigmatised. With the rise of nuclear families and increasing longevity, it is estimated that nearly one crore people above 60 are affected by dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Care facilities are non-existent in Bhubaneswar and Odisha, and awareness about the condition is minimal. The disease doesn’t have a known medical cure until now.
More than 150 people of all ages interacted with physiologists and learnt about various aspects of dementia. Many participants were particularly interested in understanding how to prevent dementia during the programme held on the occasion.
Psychologists Dr. Nidhee Garg from Kalinga Hospital, Manisha Mishra, and Seselsa Sen interacted with morning walkers and answered questions about the difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s, ways to prevent dementia, and tips for maintaining a healthy brain.
Trustees of Silver Age Foundation for Elders, Lucy Patnaik and Banita Mahapatra, who are trained in dementia care, explained to the public the challenges and issues related to dementia care. The human brain is one of the most neglected organs, as its decay cannot be seen and does not cause pain.
The programmes for World Alzheimer’s Month and World Alzheimer’s Day in Bhubaneswar are supported through a CSR project of CSM Technologies Ltd., which provides information technology services and transformative solutions for governments and industries across the world. Ms. Lagna Pany, Director, CSM Technologies, said that the focus of the company’s CSR is inclusivity and that addressing issues related to the elderly is increasingly important with rising life expectancy.
Silver Age Foundation for Elders is a social organisation working exclusively for the empowerment and well-being of senior citizens since 2017. The Foundation also manages the Bhubaneswar Chapter of Alzheimer’s & Related Disorders Society of India (ARDSI). ARDSI is India’s leading national organisation working with dementia and Alzheimer’s patients since 1992.