By Jerardin D'Souza
Mangaluru, Aug 4: A talk on dementia by Jerardin D'souza, founder director, Mangaluru Alzheimer's Association (MAA), started with a two minute silence to Dr APJ Kalam.
Zahid Hussein Baji, secretary, AGE, Mangaluru, introduced Jerardin D'souza. Shameem Kunil, president AGE, Mangaluru called the meeting to order. Raghavan, treasurer, was on stage.
"I arrived at Balmatta yesterday morning and went to a hall nearby but did not find anyone. So I called Zahid Baji to enquire the whereabouts of all the members. He told me the meeting was in the evening.”
At 5 pm Zahid Baji called me to ask where I was and I told him, I was at home, sleeping. He told me that I had a talk on dementia, and so I asked, which dementia, where dementia, who dementia? Having no idea or knowledge of it. That my friends, is Dementia or Alzheimer's. Well, coming to Balmatta a day earlier, going to the wrong hall and coming at the wrong time is just forgetfulness and not dementia. This is the difference between forgetfulness and dementia,“ explained Jerardin in his opening remarks,
“Dementia is a physical disease of the brain, caused by the ongoing, irreversible death of brain cells. He explained the various causes due to age, genetic, family history. There are certain reversible dementias caused due to thyroid and vitamin deficiencies.
"Senility or 'Aralu maralu', Mudhi braanthi, Sair Bair' are wrong terms to be used and not to be confused with dementia, which is a physical disease,” he emphasized.
“Alzheimer's [50 to 70%], vascular, Lewy Body, Fronto temporal, are the few irreversible dementias,” he explained.
A thorough power point presentation explained the causes, behavioral patterns, managing the AD affected. “Caregiver tips, symptoms and improving the quality of life, rather than cribbing on not having a cure, should be our emphasis,” D'souza urged.
“Like road accidents and dowry cases which are considered medico - legal cases, I consider dementia as a medico-social case, where a combination of doctors and society can find a solution, rather than a cure. The involvement of society and forming of support groups like MAA , is a necessity to support the suffering families and not just the affected.”
There were many questions regarding symptoms, cures, management, which were brilliantly explained with the aid of ppt, pictures and explanation.
He called Dr Olinda Periera as an umbrella under which MAA and all social work functions stood, as she was the founder principal of Roshni School of Social Work.
He concluded by saying being old is not synonymous with dementia. Dr Kalam at 84 was as brilliant as ever and died with his shoes on.
MAA has plans to build a dementia village or a facility for the end stage sufferers. MAA has created tremendous awareness through TV, radio, talks, social media, Facebook, Twitter and the print media,
caregiver training and placement, helpline, awareness in villages through PHC.
He urged philanthropists to volunteer support to the cause of dementia - MAA. 'Remember those who cannot Remember' was his war cry- appeal.
“Dream not in sleep, but a dream that does not allow you to sleep. Keeping the brain active like Dr Kalam (84) and Dr Olinda Periera (90), will not let dementia or Alzheimer's in,” he concluded.