Mangaluru: While ageing is a natural process, it doesn’t come without a cost. Alzheimer’s Disease is a serious and heart breaking disease that affects the elderly. With the view to spread awareness about the illness, Mangalore Chemicals and Fertilizers (MCF), Karnataka Ayurveda Medical College (KAMC) and Mangalore Alzheimer’s Association (MAA) organised “Alzheimer’s Dementia: Understanding and Relief – An Insight for Elders” on March 10 at KAMC, Ashoknagar, Mangaluru.
“You must approach the government and seek assistance for such a tragic disease which from which both the affected and their families suffer,” suggested Dr. Ramakrishna Rao, District Health and Family Welfare Officer, DHO, as he inaugurated the awareness programme.
Prabhakar Rao, Director – Works, MCF Ltd. welcomed the gathering and briefed them about the role that MCF plays in contributing to the society as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme.
“Former Prime Minister A B Vajpayee, former Member of Parliament and Defence Minister George Fernandes, boxer Mohammed Ali, all popular achievers, sadly suffer from dementia and as there is no definite cure yet, we must guide and sensitize people for better care giving,” said Jerardin D’Souza, Founder, Mangalore Alzheimer’s Association in his introduction to the programme.
“My father used to just go to the government college, saying that it was college day while he was still in his home clothes, 15 years after his retirement as principal of the college,” recounted Dr. Prabha Adhikari, Geriatric care specialist, and founder and former director of KMC Nava Chaitanya.
She spoke about her father’s battle with Alzheimer’s and explained the disease’s causes and effects with the help of a power point presentation. She also showed the audience a documentary titled “I Don’t Miss Him”, which was directed by national award winning director O.P. Srivastava.
Dr. Sandeep Bekal, explained the various life style variations, food habits and other aspects like using Ayurveda to prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s Dementia.
The members of KMC Nava Chaitanya, Spoorthi Trust, AGE Mangalore, all active ageing centres, participated in the event and performed dances and skits.
The students of KAMC also performed skits for the evening.
The programme was attended by seniors, young students and the general public.
Dr. Yogisha compered the programme and Dr. Santosh Kumar J, Principal, Karnataka Ayurveda Medical College, proposed the vote of thanks.
The programme was concluded with the national anthem after which the attendees were served refeshments.
