"One Day Sensitization Programme for Family caregiver of Demented Elderly". Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India, 2011.

By Dr P Vyasamoorthy.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

" MINUTES of National Institute of Social Defence (NISD), Ministry of
Social Justice and Empowerment, "One Day Sensitization program for
the Family care giver of the Demented Elderly."

Alzheimer's and Related Disorders Society of India (ARDSI) – Hyderabad
Deccan and Memory Clinic, NIMS organized "One Day Sensitization
program for the Family Care Giver of the Demented Elderly " on
February 26,2011 Saturday, 9:30 AM –5PM, at Conference Hall, 1st
floor, Millennium Block,NIMS.

The session, attended by 35, commenced with a warm welcome from
Dr.Suvarna Alladi, Additional Professor, Dept of Neurology NIMS and
President, ARDSI Hyd Deccan 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.

What is Dementia: She emphasized the need for training family members
apart from diagnosis and prescription, as the family plays a vital
role in dealing with the Disease. The topics covered in her
presentation were - Dementia, Symptoms and types of Dementia,
different stages of Dementia, effects and prevalence rate of Dementia.

Communication: Ms. Santhoshi Kumari, Psychologist, Memory Clinic, NIMS
took the session on communicating with people with dementia.
She explained differences between verbal and non verbal communication. Common communication problems faced included naming, recall, slowness in speech e.t.c. People with dementia have an insight in to the problems they face and to avoid affecting their sense of self-worth and self-respect, we should provide them the environment and support to communicate effectively .

Some of the tips for better communication included use simple and
short sentences, providing choices, taking consent from patient,
informing the patient prior to any activity, refrain from talking in
front of the patient about their condition , avoiding arguments and
confrontation, avoiding baby-talk while encouraging them for any
task. She summarized the session saying that we should show courtesy
and concern to the patients and actively engage in supportive
communication.

Ms. Sonal Chitnis, Speech pathologist, Yashoda Hospital explained
about the aim of speech therapy in Dementia".

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A question and answer session followed.

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read more at :

http://vyasa-kaaranam-ketkadey.blogspot.com/2011/03/one-day-sensitization-programme-for.html