First National Dementia Strategy - India meeting held in New Delhi

A National Consultative Meeting of experts to develop a National Dementia Strategy was held at Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi on 30th–31st Jan. 2009. This meeting was organized by Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders Society of India (ARDSI) in association with the Centre for Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, Jamia Milia Islamia. ARDSI is a national voluntary organization dedicated to the care, support, and research of dementia.

With world’s second largest elderly population, millions of people are affected by Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of dementias in India . This number shall go up with increasing life expectancy. With the vast changes taking place in our society, like nuclearisation of families, migration of younger people, globalization, changing values have all put tremendous pressure on the care of elderly especially those with chronic conditions such as dementia.

Alzheimer’s Disease is a chronic degenerative disease of the brain which manifests with loss of memory, intellectual decline and often behavioural problems. Despite the large number of affected people, there is gross ignorance and neglect of the disease. Most people with dementia go un-detected. Often there is stigma attached to this condition. In some cases they even undergo abuse. There are hardly any services available for the victims and their care givers.

This meeting was beginning of an exercise that will go on for the next one year to develop a strategy to transform the present situation of neglect and promote good dementia care over the next five years. This consultation shall draw evidence from wide range of reports and stakeholders. All those who were interested in improving the care of dementia victims are invited to give their inputs. Three key themes of this exercise area:

1. Improve awareness about dementia both among general public and health professionals.

2. Encourage early diagnosis for early intervention

3. Improve quality of care of those affected and their care-givers.

This meeting was attended by the Hon. Vice Chancellor, Jamia Millia Islamia, Prof. Mushirul Hasan (as guest of honour), officials from Ministry of Health, Social Justice and Empowerment, ICMR, WHO, Service organizations, professional bodies and chapters of ARDSI. Dr. Vijay Chandra, Mental Health Advisor, WHO SEARO, Dr. A.B. Dey from AIIMS, Dr. Vinod Kumar, Geriatrician, Dr. Bela Shah-DG, ICMR, Dr. Purnima Singh, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr. S.P. Agarwal, Secretary General, Indian Red Cross Society, Past Rotary National Director O.P. Vaish, Dr. Mathew Varghese, NIMHANS, Bangalore, Dr. Mala Kapur Shankardass ,Mr.Premkumar Raja ,Dr. Manoj Jacob ARDSI Cochin, Nilanjana Maulik ARDSI Kolkata chapter, Mr. Mathew Cherian and Mr. M.M. Sabharwal, HelpAge India, Ms. Avantika Gosh, Dr.Abha Choudhary,Dr. Suvarna Alladi, NIMS, Hyderabad,Rukshana Ansari form ARDSI Hyderabad, Dr. K.S. Anand, are the main resource persons. Sailesh Mishra from Silver Inning Foundation and Mumbai ARDSI ,Meera Pattabi,Col Kar Nair was also present for this historic meeting. Meetings is expected to draw experts from across the country, as told by Dr. K. Jacob Roy, National Chairman, ARDSI, Mrs. Nirmala Narula, Vice Chairperson ARDSI, Shri. S.N. Kuckreja, Vice President, New Delhi Chapter, Col. Khanna, Executive Director, Delhi Chapter.

Source:http://silverinnings.blogspot.com/2009/02/first-national-dementia-strategy-india.html

Dementia Support Group, Mumbai

Silver Inning Foundation in association with ARDSI(ALzm society of India ) Greater Mumbai has started : Dementia / Alzheimer's Support Group.

Presently this group is working from Kandivali to Bhayander in Mumbai. We will extend this to other parts of Mumbai city in phase manner.

This group consists of Doctors - Psychiatrist, Neurologist; Social Worker, Clinical Psychologist and Volunteers.

The group activity is non paid/Free and is more about Support system, Counseling and Training for Family members and people suffering from Dementia/ Alzheimer's.

We Invite Volunteers among Medical Professionals, Social Workers, Psychologist, Family members, House wives, Senior Citizens and people with passion to serve for social cause.

To apply for Volunteers please fill the Form here: http://silverinnings.com/primary%20individual%20form.asp

Also you can write to: info@silverinnings.com

Pls pass on this msg to your friends.

Thks.

Warm Regards,
Sailesh Mishra

Founder President - Silver Innings Foundation,A dedicated Organisation for Elders and their Family Members
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/

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVmiN1zB-2w

Pictures : http://www.flickr..com/photos/sailesh2000_2000/

Join Silver Innings - Free: http://silverinnings.com/primary%20individual%20form.asp

Silver Inning Foundation : http://www.silverinnings.com/SV%20Foundation%20Home.html

Need for a safety net, the Hindu India, by Hendi Lingiah

THE HINDU

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Sep 21, 2008

HENDI LINGIAH

As we become an ‘ageing country’, there is an urgent need for an accurate public health policy in the senior care field.

Challenges ahead: To provide organised healthcare for the elderly.
The percentage of persons aged above 60 in India has been rising steadily over the last decades. In fact, in 2001, its proportion exceeded 7.5 per cent, defining a country as an “ageing country” according to the U.N. definition and is exp ected to reach 8.9 per cent in 2016. But the increase of life expectancy goes with the increase of age-related diseases and developing countries are not spared. The number of people above the age of 60, suffering and searching for care, domiciliary services, specific treatments and specific answers to their needs will increase. Consecutively, the lack of specific structures would lead to discontent. Hence the need to implement a sound public health policy in the field of senior care.

Today, it is estimated that more than 50 per cent of people with Alzheimer’s Disease live in developing countries. Meanwhile, when developed countries have more care alternatives available for a less number of elderly people, they are also trying to improve the current public health system with the aim of anticipating their growing ageing population.

My interest in Alzheimer’s Disease started when I joined an NGO established in the field of senior citizen’s welfare, well known at that time for opening a township for retired people wishing to live an autonomous and still active retreat. This township included a small structure devoted to elderly people affected by Alzheimer’s Disease. It was a nice residential set-up of eight comfortable rooms with bathroom and one common activity room; it was located in a rural part of India. That premise needed to be developed and enhanced; routine, assessments and residents’ health care, even material aspects, had to be looked after.

Thoughtful set-up

We started working with doctors and psychiatrists and in cooperation with them and the team we did the follow-up of patients, the interviews with families, the local staff supervisions… It was an interesting professional experience; it broadened my mind and my interest in the field of ageing and Alzheimer’s Disease and implementing a psycho-social care approach in a 24x7 small residential setting for patients suffering from AD. But above all, it was about making this place a comfortable and enjoyable home for the frail elderly, maintaining as long as possible their abilities and a community life.

Back in France, I’ve stayed connected with the senior care field in India. These days, it seems to me that ageing and care for the elderly have really become an issue for the people and the institutions of the country. For instance, the training provided by the National Institute of Social Defence and supported by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment shows a commitment from the government to face that challenge. Hopefully, with the joint effort of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, the government will maintain a constant pace, be vigilant to elder abuse, set-up official guidelines and implement strict standards in the care of elderly people.

A necessity

Properly planning and the implementation of a public health policy regarding support for the elderly has today become a necessity: the recognition of the early symptoms of dementia, patterns of interventions, research on the diseases, drug and non-drug therapies, infrastructures, professional practices, home caregivers trainings…

This is the challenge for developing countries, if they want to avoid, in the coming years, the increase in the number of sick elderly persons and severe cases due to insufficient early detection and solutions provided at an affordable cost.

The author is an AARDSI member and a clinical psychologist in France.

ARDSI 2008, XIV conference : Dementia Care and Research : a roadmap for India 27-28 Sept. 2008

Indian Institute of Science, BANGALORE

http://www.dementiabangalore.com/8AnnualMeet/Programme.aspx

• Clinical aspects of Dementia
• Advances in treatment of Dementia
• Genetics of Dementia
• Mild cognitive impairment
• Early diagnosis of Dementia
• Community Care & Services
• Rehabilitation
• Training & Research
• Medico legal and social aspects of Dementia
• Networking & Advocacy

Programme

Date: 27/09/2008 - Hall 1: For Clinicians - Convener - Dr.Ratnavalli E

Time Program 9.00-10.30 AM 9.00-9.20 A) Introduction to the conference 1) Dementia - An Emerging Public Health Problem Dr.J Roy 9.20-10.30 B) Session 1 - Symposia Clinical aspects of dementia 9.25-9.50 1) Approach to dementia Ratnavalli E 9.50-10.15 2) Differential Diagnosis Suvarna A 10.15-10.30 3) Q & D 10.30.-11.10 C) Plenary Carol Brayne 1) From Biology to Policy- Lessons from long duration 2) Epidemological studies on Ageing 11.10-11.30 TEA 11.30- 1.00 D) Session 2 - Symposia Diagnosis of dementia 11.30-11.55 1) Higher mental function assessment in the clinic Nehru R 11.55-12.20 2) Neuropsychological testing dementia diagnosis Dutt A 12.20-12.45 3) Neuroimaging in dementia Ravi Shankar 12.45-1.00 4) Q & D 1-00-2.00 LUNCH and Poster Viewing 2.00-3.00 E) Panel Presentation of 3 Difficult Cases - Discussion 3.00-3.15 Tea 3.15-4.30 F) Session3- Symposia 1) 10/66 or epidemiological studies in India Mathew V and Martin Prince 5.00 - 6.30 G) Inaguration 8.00 PM Dinner

Date: 28/09/2008 - Hall 1: For Clinicians - Convener - Dr.Ratnavalli E

Time Program 8.30-10.30 Session 4- Symposia Rx of Dementia 8.30-8.55 1) Drug RX of dementia Mathew V 8.55-9.20 2) Rx of BPSD Srikala 9.20-9.45 3) Emerging therapies Manjari T 9.45-10.10 4) Non pharmacological interventions Nilanjana M 10.10-10.30 5) Q & D 10.30-10.45 Tea 10.45-11.25 Plenary session 2 Developing a National Strategy - Experiences from a Small Island Sube Banerjee 11.25-1.00 Session 5- Symposia MCI/Biomarkers 11.25-11.50 1) MCI Pinto C 11.50-12.15 2) Towards an Early Diagnosis Ralph Martin 12.15-12.40 3) Genetics of Dementia O.Mukherjee 12.40-1.00 4) Q & D 1.00-1.50 LUNCH 1.50-2.50 For Awards 1) Platform presentations 2.50-3.50 Panel discussion 1) Difficult cases - Problems in Management Ravi Nehru, Shaji, Mathew, Pinto 3.50-4.05 Tea 4.05-5.00 Session6- Symposia Medicolegal issues in Dementia 1) Presentation & Interactive session Mr.Shiv Kumar 5.00-5.30 Valedictory function

Date: 27/09/2008 - Hall 2: For Caregivers - Convener - Dr.Srikala Bharath

Time Program 9.00-9.20 common session in Hall 1 9.30-10.30 B) Session 1 - Panel Discussion Difficulties in consultation process 9.30-9.45 1) Recognizing early symptoms and seeking help Murali Mohan 9.45-10.00 2) Issues in disclosure of diagnosis P.T.Sivakumar 10.00-10.15 3) Medical treatment of dementia S.Shaji 10.15-10.30 4) Sharing of Experience by care givers 10.30.-11.10 C) Plenary session Common session in Hall 1 11.10-11.30 TEA 11.30- 1.00 D) Session 2 - Symposia Dementia care services - Developed and developing countries 11.25-11.55 1) Dementia care services in developed countries Frank Schappe 11.55-12.20 2) Specialized services for dementia care - Indian Scenario Murali T 12.20-12.45 3) Home based care - Indian Scenario Radha Murthy 12.45-1.00 4) Discussion 1-00-2.00 LUNCH and Poster Viewing 2.00-3.00 E) Session 3 - Workshop Cognitive & Behavioural approaches in dementia care Anand 3.00-3.15 Tea 3.15-4.30 F) Session 4 - Symposium Coping with dementia 3.15-3.35 1) Emotional problems in caregivers Om Prakash 3.35-3.55 2) Stress Management for caregivers Seema Mehrotra 3.55-4.15 3) Cargiver's role in functional rehabilitation Krithika S 4.15-4.30 4) Discussion

Date: 28/09/2008 - Hall 2: For Caregivers - Convener - Dr.Srikala Bharath

Time Program 9.00-10.30 Session 5 - Symposia AYUSH Interventions in Mild cognitive impairment & Dementia 9.00-9.15 1) Yoga Therapy Hariprasad 9.15-9.30 2) Ayurveda Hemant Kumar Gupta 9.30-9.45 3) Homeopathy S Gopinadhan 9.45 - 10.00 4) Siddha Siva P 10.00-10.15 5) Unani Faculty from National Institute of Unani, Bangalore 10.15-10.30 6) Discussion 10.30-10.45 Tea 10.45-11.25 Plenary session 2 common session in Hall 1 11.25-1.00 Session 6- Symposia Networking, Advocacy & Research 11.25-11.50 1) Advocacy& Developing resources - Role of NGO's Shailesh Mishra 11.50-12.15 2) Networking NGO's in dementia care Ali Khwaja 12.15-12.40 3) Participation in research - Tissue banking and Ethical issues S. K. Shankar 12.40-1.00 4) Discussion 1.00-1.50 LUNCH 2.00 - 3.30pm Session 7 - Workshop Community services in Dementia Geeta Oommen & Rajini Tea Common session in Hall 1

Bangalore, call for an Exclusive Care Facility for Dementia. Karnataka, India.

Alzheimer’s & Related Disorders Society of India, Bangalore Chapter is a non-profit organization registered in 2006, the Centenary year of Alzheimer’s. This Chapter is affiliated to Alzheimer’s & Related Disorders Society of India (ARDSI) which has 14 chapters across the Country. The Bangalore Chapter is promoted by Nightingales Medical Trust.

Unlike other diseases, dementia affects not only the patients but devastates the families as well. It is unfortunate that Bangalore, the Pensioners Paradise of India, where over 30,000 elders are estimated to be affected by dementia, still does not have an exclusive care facility for dementia. Awareness too is lacking.

The website address for the ardsibangalore chapter is www.dementiabangalore.in

Programme for World Alzheimer’s Awareness Week 2008

ARDSI Greater Mumbai Support Group

Programme for World Alzheimer’s Awareness Week 2008

15^th Sep to 21^st Sep 2008

On the occasion of World Alzheimer’s Day on 21^st Sep 2008 ‘Silver Inning Foundation’ in

Association with ‘ARDSI Greater Mumbai Support Group’ has planned one week

Programme to create awareness about Dementia and Alzheimer’s in city of Mumbai.

Mon 15th – Screening of Film – Burden of Love and Facilitation of Care Givers – programme for Senior Citizens at Harmony – Chief Takurdwar – 4pm to 5.30 pm – Sailesh Mishra

Tue 16th - Sensitizing Programme for Para Medical professional at Nanavati Hospital, Santacruz – 11.30am to 1 pm – Prof Parul Kibliwala

Thu 18th – Screening of WHO Film - , Talk on Dementia for Students at SVT College (SNDT) Auditorium– Juhu – 2pm to 4pm

Sat 20th – Screening of Film – Burden of Love and Sensitizing Programme for Mumbai Police Elder Helpline at H.E.L.P. Library, Fort – 3.30pm to 5.30 pm

Sun 21th – Screening of Film – Burden of Love, Talk on Dementia and Memory Camp for Senior Citizens at ‘’Abhi to Main Jawan Hoon’’ – Senior Citizen Club, Kandivali – 4pm to 6 pm

This programme is organized in association with ARDSI - Alzheimer's & Related Disorder Society of India –Mumbai Chapter , Helpage India, Harmony, H.E.L.P. Library , NAMI India, The Family Welfare Agency, ILC - India ,Shree Manav Seva Sangh, Bombay Psychiatric Society , FESCOM,IMA and AISCCON (All India Senior Citizens' Confederation).

Pls Note: This is tentative programme, subject to change.

Sailesh Mishra
Programme Co-coordinator
ARDSI -WAD 2008

Mobile:9819819145

Invitation for Fund Raising Event for Alzheimer's Society India

Colours of Hope

Weavers Studio Invites you for an Fund Raising event for (ARDSI) Alzheimer's Related Disorder Society of India,Kolkatta chapter on occasion of World Alzheimer's Day 21st Sep 2008.

An exhibition of wide range of hand woven,hand craft garments and wide range of traditional silver jewellery.

Event Date:Thu 28th Sep to Sat 30th Sep

Time: 10am to 6.30pm

Venue:
Weavers Studio
5/1,
Anil Moitra Road,
Kolkatta
India
Tel : 24008926

Contact:
Nilanjana Maulik
Secretary
ARDSI, Kolkatta
ardsikolkata@yahoo.co.in

Source: http://peopleforsocialcause.blogspot.com/2008/08/colours-of-hope-invitation-for-fund.html

ARDSI National Office,
P.B. NO. 53,
Guruvayoor Road,
Kunnamkulam - 680 503,
Thrissur Dist, Kerala, India.
Tel.04885 223801
Fax: 04885-224817
Email: alzheimr@md2.vsnl.net.in
Website: www.alzheimer-india.org