Bhubaneswar: The Bhubaneswar chapter of Alzheimer’s & Related Disorders Society of India (ARDSI) organised programmes to raise awareness on dementia and Alzheimer’s disease on the occasion of on World Alzheimer’s Day.
More than 150 morning walkers of different ages interacted with psychologists Dr Nidhee Garg from Kalinga Hospital, Manisha Mishra and Seselsa Sen at Bhubaneswar’s Buddha Jayanti Park to know about various aspects of dementia.
They were curious to find out the difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s, how to prevent dementia and ways to care for a healthy brain.
Lucy Patnaik and Banita Mahapatra, trustees of Silver Age Foundation for Elders who are trained in dementia care, explained to the public about the challenges and issues of dementia care. They explained that the brain is one of the most neglected organs of the human body since it can neither be seen nor does its decay cause pain.
The morning walkers participated in memory games, for which prizes were distributed.
A community engagement programme for senior citizens was also held at Utkal Galleria Mall.
Senior citizen members of Silver Age Foundation for Elders staged dance performance and sang chorus songs to show that remaining active was key to prevention of dementia. Visitors joined in when senior citizens did a flash mob at the mall.
The mall event included talks and interaction with psychologist Dr Soma Mishra. The programme was coordinated by Dillip Das, Executive Director of Silver Age Foundation for Elders, and managed by partners Prelude Events.
The programmes for World Alzheimer’s month and World Alzheimer’s Day in Bhubaneswar are supported through a CSR project of CSM Technologies Ltd.
CSM Technologies director Lagna Pany said that the focus of the company’s CSR was inclusivity and the need to address issues related to elders, which is extremely important with increasing longevity.
Silver Age Foundation for Elders has been working for empowerment and wellbeing of senior citizens in Odisha since 2017.
It runs a healthy ageing centre for engagement of elders through classes in yoga, dance, music, digital and technology for seniors. The Foundation also manages the Bhubaneswar Chapter of ARDSI, which is the country’s leading national organisation working with dementia and Alzheimer’s patients since 1992. It has 20 chapters across India.
