Dementia is a progressive brain dysfunction (in Latin 'dementia' means irrationality), which results in a restriction of daily activities and in most cases leads in the long term to the need for care. Many diseases can result in dementia, the most common one being Alzheimer's Diseases.
In our society of longer lifetime the probability of suffering from dementia increases with advancing age. Dementia predominantly occurs in the second half of our life, often after the age of 65 - some experts think that this is the 'price society has to pay' for our higher life expectancy and therefore the term 'dementia' activates similar fears and repression mechanisms as 'cancer' or 'AIDS'.
The frequency of dementia increases with rising age from less than 2 % for the 65-69-year-olds, to 5 % for the 75-79 year-olds and to more than 20 % for the 85-89 year-olds. Every third person over 90 years of age suffers from moderate or severe dementia (Bickel, Psycho 1996, 4-8). About half of those affected by dementia suffer from Alzheimer's disease.
Dementia is a global problem and is expected to reach epidemic proportion in Asia in the next decade. Compared to many other countries, India is yet to go a long way in providing adequate care and support to persons suffering from dementia. It’s time for immediate action by all of us – the public, medical professionals, service providers and policy makers to join hands in finding tangible solutions to deal with this emerging epidemic.
There is no cure and treatment, but there are some drugs and some therapies which if taken under trained and certified professional then can help to stabilize the patient.
In India we need to create more Awareness for this disease and Stigma attached to it should be removed. There is need for trained Dementia care givers, Dementia management services and R& D. There is need for Support groups, Day care center, and respite care. There is need for psycho - social approach an holistic view for Dementia.
To address this problem ARDSI (Alzheimer's & Related Disorder Society of India ) has organised one week programme in different part of India .
In Mumbai we have programme from Mon15th Sep 2008 to Sun 21st Sep 2008.This programme is held in association with ‘Silver Inning Foundation’.
We would request your organisation to support us in this event and help to create mass awareness for Alzheimer’s which includes Talks, Release of Documentary of Jaya Bachchan,Memory Camps etc. You can reply to this mail and tell us how you can support and particiapte.
Lets we all work united for our ''Fight Against Dementia'' - disease of 21st Century.
''No time to loose'' - World Alzheimer’s Day 2008
Remember Those Who Cannot Remember
Founder – ARDSI, Greater Mumbai Support Group
Advisor - Society for Serving Seniors
Managing Committee Member - ARDSI, Mumbai Chapter
Website : www.silverinnings.com
Blog: http://peopleforsocialcause.blogspot.com/ ; http://silverinnings.blogspot...com/
Forget yourself for others, and others will never forget you.
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