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Alzheimer’s disease is as distressing for the caregivers as for the one who suffers. Check out these orgs that can help and support you. #WorldMentalHealthDay
Memories are for a lifetime. That’s what we all know. But what if our memory starts fading out slowly such that one may find it difficult to even recognize his/her beloved? This progressive disease that destroys memory and other important mental functions, disrupting normal day-to-day activities is Alzheimer’s disease.
We all forget where we have kept the keys or the bill that needs to be paid. But in Alzheimer’s disease, there is a more serious loss of memory in which the mental ability of the individual gradually declines and reaches a point where they cannot lead normal life, a disease of ageing that causes problems with memory, behaviour and thinking.
In a report of The Indian Express it was stated that 3.7 million suffer from this dreadful disease in India, which will be double by 2030.
Symptoms usually develop slowly and get worse over time, becoming severe enough to interfere with daily tasks. Some of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are progressive loss of short-term memory, progressing to loss of control over bodily functions, to a point where the person becomes totally dependent on care-givers even for ordinary activities like eating food, going to the bathroom and dressing oneself.
People diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease don’t recognise family members and think that they are strangers or kidnappers. Patients become mute and suffer from loss of motor function.
There are a few things that lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Persons with higher education/ those who indulge in a high level of mental activity are usually safer from Alzheimer’s disease. Multilingualism or ability to converse or switch between different languages also reduces chances of suffering from the disease.
Regular practice of yoga, meditation, riddles come to the aid to improve brain functions. Research has shown that turmeric content in diet helps prevent Alzheimer’s disease.
There is a growing incidence of Alzheimer’s in India. Some of the organizations in various cities of India who support people suffering from the disease are listed below.
Alzheimer’s Association: Founded in 1980, the Alzheimer’s Association is the world’s leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Brain Tour an interactive tool on the website provides a visual understanding of how a healthy brain works as well how Alzheimer’s changes the brain.
Alzheimerindia: Care for the Elderly as their tagline reads, this org is the website dedicated to raise awareness about Alzheimer disease in India which is becoming a common problem in the old age. Read the blog posts on the site to know more about the disease and its impact.
Alzheimer’s & Related Disorders Society of India: With care centres in Kerala, New Delhi and Kolkata, ARDSI has been in the forefront to disseminate knowledge about dementia to the public through various forums and is actively involved in developing services like respite care, day care, home care, setting up memory clinic, conducting training programmes for the family members, doctors, nurses and social workers and promote research.
Dignity Foundation: Dignity Foundation works in the general area of senior care. Dignity has a presence in Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Kolkata, and Bangalore for senior care and community. Dignity Lifestyle at Neral, Maharashtra, is an assisted care facility for people with dementia as well as other senior citizens with disability.
HelpAge India: HelpAge India works in the area of elders. It focuses on fighting isolation, poverty, and neglect. HelpAge supports many initiatives for elders, including dementia initiatives like ARDSI. HelpAge has a dementia day care in Patna. Recently they have launched a security app for senior citizens.
Oasis: Based in Kolkata it is the first residential enclave for assisted living for elderly and those suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s disease in eastern India. This Dementia and Alzheimer’s Care Centre has a memory clinic which is beneficial to the patients with dementia and the caregivers who attend this clinic.
Vardaan Senior Citizen Care: Located in Delhi, Vardaan Senior Citizen Care is a home for the medically dependent patients and bed-ridden patients including dementia patients. They also have their own hospital situated in the same facility which is useful for the elderly whenever needed. This is a higher priced facility, but accepts dementia patients in all stages.
Nightingales Dementia Care: Nightingales Medical Trust manages multiple day care centres in Bangalore that accept dementia patients and provides a stimulating safe environment for persons with dementia.
DEMCARES: This is a day care in Chennai that offers activities and interventions designed for better mental health and well-being of elderly persons with Alzheimer’s disease.
ARDSI Guwahati: Offers day care facility as well a memory clinic which is open on weekdays for consultations and assessment.
Heritage Elder Care Services: Full-time stay and respite stay is available for persons with Alzheimer’s disease at Kshetra, Hyderabad. They accept elders with or without dementia.
If you are aware of any more resources in your own city , you are most welcome to add it in the comments below.
Image source: pixabay
I'm a Political Science student from St.Xavier's College, Kolkata. Biryani and F.
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