Report of General Awareness Program at Sri Kutchibhavan



Alzheimer's and Related Disorders Society of India (ARDSI) – Hyderabad Deccan organized "General public awareness program on Memory in healthy ageing and disease " on March 27,2011 Sunday, 9:30 AM –1PM, at Conference Hall Sri Kutchi Bhavan, Ramkoti.

The session, attended by 70, commenced with a warm welcome from Mr. Ramesh M Shah in charge Senior citizens Department of Sri Kutchi Mitra Mandal, who wished all the participants and explained the aim of this program which is to sensitize the community and to take best care of demented elderly.

Dr. Suvarna Alladi appreciated Sri Kutchi Mitra Mandals concern about the community to bring awareness on Dementia.

Dr Suvarna Alladi spoke about the signs and symptoms of Dementia and she also highlighted the difference between Dementia and Normal forgetfulness. Dr. Suvarna gave an overview to the audience regarding 'what is dementia'. She spoke about the incidence of dementia and using practical examples, the problems faced by persons with dementia, progression of the disease and importance of early identification and intervention. She addressed concerns of senior citizens by explaining the differences between normal and abnormal forgetfulness, and early signs of dementia.

According Dr Suvarna Alladi of NIMS treats about 400 persons suffering from dementia out of some 40000 patients in AP; on a national level, there are close to 3.8 million dementia patients on the whole. As our county is having the largest ageing population in the world.

She also suggested that a healthy, low carbohydrate diet, low-fat and vitamin B12 rich diet and high vegetable intake promote a healthy lifestyle and reduce the risk of dementia.

She also emphasized that should not ask wrong or funny questions to patients. We should talk them with helping words which help them to respond us easily.

Rukhsana Ansari then spoke about ARDSI as a national organization, its inception and the role it has played both at the government sector and in the society at large. She highlighted ARDSI's achievements over the years and also spoke about how the Hyderabad Deccan chapter came into being. She then spoke about the local chapter's goals which are primarily to improve quality of life of persons with dementia and their caregivers, creating awareness in the society and hence making Hyderabad a dementia-friendly city. She then highlighted the activities that included conducting monthly caregiver meetings, training programs, counseling sessions, memory walk, and running an activity centre for persons with dementia. She invited the audience to join as members and actively participate in whatever way they could with ARDSI, Hyderabad Deccan.

The audience listened to both speakers with rapt attention and asked questions regarding the disease and its treatment. Some of them had concerns about their memory that were alleviated by Dr. Suvarna as well as the pro-active audience in a humor-filled manner. Brochures, pamphlets and informative material regarding dementia, normal forgetfulness and aging were also distributed.

One of the Member of Sri Kutchi Mitra Mandal thanked the speakers and gave them mementoes. Many from the audience expressed interest in becoming members of the organization and helping in organizing awareness programs at their localities.

 

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