Mangalore, Jan 14: In an effort to bring together like-minded people to create awareness and shed light on the condition of elderly persons suffering from Alzheimer's disease, Spandana Charitable Trust, Mangalore held a meeting at YMCA, Balmatta here on Tuesday.
Delivering the keynote address, Richard Shreder, an Alzheimer's specialist from Seattle, USA, said that the care-takers of those suffering from Alzheimer's were more often the victims of the disease than the patients. “By understanding the Alzheimer's patients and accepting them as they are, we can change the behaviour of the patients. Although the patients may repeat the same things over again, they should not be rebuked as it may cause irritation and depression among them,” he said.
He explained that Alzheimer's was a degenerative non-curable disease, for which the only solution was enduring it. The only option to cope with an Alzheimer's patient in the family is to accept them as such and to keep them totally engaged--both mentally and physically, he said in the meeting which included doctors, care-givers and psychologists experienced in dealing with the disease.
He also said that an Alzheimer's patient would not fake or bluff his or her words, hence it was essential for family members to be understanding.
Early diagnosis important
Professor of Geriatric Care, KMC Attavar Dr Prabha Adhikari said that engaging the patients was the best way to deal with them. "Aerobic exercise, Yoga, jogging, walking and other activities will help them remain engaged. Along with this, intellectual exercise will keep them occupied. The purpose is to activate every part of their brain," she said.
She said that it was crucial to detect the disease at an early stage to prolong the disease, though it could not be prevented. "When we realise that the absent mindedness of our dear one was not because of aging but Alzheimer's, precious time would have been lost," she pointed.
Psychiatrist Dr Ravish Thunga said that Alzheimer's was a kind of Dementia. "In Alzheimer's, you forget the whole context of the incident. An Alzheimer's patient can recollect from years ago but unable to remember what happened in few days, weeks or hours before,” he said.
Psychiatrist Dr Satish Rao said that by keeping several risk factors such as diabetes, hyper tension etc. in control, we can prevent few types of dementia from affecting us. He added that dementia other than Alzheimer's could be treated or preventable but not curable.
Managing Trustee of Spandhana Charitable Trust Jerardin D'Souza, Dr Olinda Pereira (Vishwas, home for the elders) among others spoke. The meeting was followed by an interaction.
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