Media Release
Mangalore, Nov 4: Elders Day was observed meaningfully by having an Insightful Talk on ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE [AD] by renowned Geriatric Specialist Dr.Prabha Adhikari,KMC, at St.Dominic Church Hall,Ashok Nagar.Mangalore.on Sunday .
Er.Jerardin D'souza,Founder Director,Mangalore Alzheimer's Association-MAA-shared the MAA experience and Care Giving aspects. He emphasized on the need of the support group as the AD affected families become the victims and suffer hugely.
Dr.Prabha Adhikari, very lucidly explained the cause and effects of AD,with Power point display. "My father used to say that there are robbers in the house,and we too used to act as if we are searching for them and then convince my father that the robbers ran away'' shared Dr.Prabha ,whose father was a victim of AD. Urging never to disagree with the AD affected person.The need to be patient and repeat requests was emphasized.
Dr.Prabha appreciated the Church Group for having continued the Exercise Club which she had started a year ago.She emphasized the need to do Memory Exercise to keep exercising the brain Muscles[nerves]. Playing Chess,Crossword puzzles, ;''Chenne mani''Scrabble, or any Brain taxing exercise.The interaction was total and the participants promised to go to KMC Nava Chaitanya, Attavara, and learn the Memory and Mobility exercises and teach and practice here.
''Is drinking whisky causing AD.?'' Mr.Valerian Pinto inquired....''If you can drink 60ml and STOP at it,then its beneficial to health'' said Dr.Prabha , but drinking more than 60 ml is harmful,she observed.
" Mr.Vajpayee and Mr.George Fernandes suffer from AD and the Care Giving aspect is very important. Normal care givers wont be able to handle AD affected persons,special training is required for this, and the Elders assembled can get trained and be of service'' requested Dr.Prabha Adhikari.
''Mr.Raghuveer and Mrs. Shanthi,Mr.Nikhil, from,Australia,England, Oman,resply. have their parents suffering AD,whom Dr.Ravish Thunga,Psychiatrist,Dr.Shivanand Pai,Neurologist, have referred to MAA for guidance and support.These family members feel totally lost,and when they find a Support Group like MAA, here,their sense of relief is tremendous." said Er.Jerardin D'souza,who personally attends to them.He gave this as an example and urged the Elders to get trained in Care Giving of AD affected and be Volunteers. The MAA page is active on Facebook and everyone can get expert information ,posted by international Directors there,and all should click LIKE on the MAA page ,he requested.
'If You walk with a stoop and slow unsure steps and elbow movement is erratic, its an indication of Parkinson's Disease, which is another type of dementia, which Boxer Mohd.Ali,is suffering" said Dr.Prabha showing Slides and pictures.