LIFESTYLE
An initiative that helps patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s with proper care.
An extremely jovial 60-year-old, Mandakini Kamtekar was a person of cool temperament. Not until one day when her family began noticing extreme behavioural changes in her. “She became very aggressive, almost to the point of hitting us. She kept forgetting things and would pick up a toothbrush and start brushing her teeth,” recalls Jyoti, daughter-in-law of Kamtekar. As the lapses in her memory increased, the family approached Devendra Save, a practising psychiatrist and a core team member of Silver Innings Dementia Support Group who diagnosed Kamtekar as a patient of Alzheimer’s, a common form of dementia, a brain disorder that affects a person’s ability to carry out daily activities and is most common in old age.
Just a year-old initiative, the Silver Innings Dementia Support Group, a collaboration between Silver Inning Foundation, a NGO for elderly citizens and Alzheimer’s and Related Disorder Society of India (ARDSI) has already reached out to 657 families. It is a collaborative initiative meant to assist patients diagnosed with dementia and specifically Alzheimer’s. Moreover, on the occasion of World Alzheimer’s Day on September 21, it plans to launch a first-of-its-kind geriatric psychological service in the city. As part of the service, clinical psychologists will not only provide free consultation on the phone to seniors but also pay a visit to the home of an Alzheimer’s patient and chalk out the future course of treatment in consultation with the family.
The support group started by Sailesh Mishra, founder president, Silver Inning Foundation offers a variety of services to aid patients suffering from Alzheimer’s. Mishra, who left a well paying corporate job to help the elderly in the society says, “I think the seniors are the most ignored and neglected lot.” Mishra, earlier associated with Dignity Foundation, branched out to form his own NGO and then the dementia support group.
Anu Vijay Kumar, a human resource manger in a reputed firm, was leading a happy family life with her two children and husband, also a senior executive in a firm. However, she was in for a rude shock when she learnt that her husband had fallen prey to Alzheimer’s at the age of 52. This was eight years ago. Today, her husband, is confined to a wheelchair. He doesn’t recognise Anu and their children; has forgotten the language and is totally dependent on Anu, who continues to juggle between her job and taking care of her husband.
However, for Kumar, help and advice from Silver Inning Foundation helps her provide correct treatment and support to her husband. “I keep consulting them often. I have now decided to get my husband’s bed barricaded from all sides to avoid any falls and I will be talking to Mishra about it,” says Anu.
The group also spreads awareness about dementia and Alzheimer’s. “What you need for Alzheimer’s is food for the brain. While abroad there are Alzheimer’s products like talking clock, bold font calendars, day reminders etc, here there are no products of this sort. This goes on to show the apathy and lack of awareness about Alzheimer’s ,” rues Mishra.
Their message has helped people like Kamtekar and her family who have tried to explain to their distant relatives that Mandakini is not “mad” as they think her to be and doesn’t need to go to an asylum but just needs love and care.
Since, there is no universal therapy to treat Alzheimer’s patients, the techniques to keep the patients brain pro-active varies. Mishra, on receiving a call, personally visits the patient’s home along with a psychiatrist and psychologist to understand the problem and offer solutions. But Mishra says that the involvement and understanding of the family is extremely vital. “Alzheimer’s only gets worse with time and the patient becomes entirely dependent on the family. Our effort is to just make their time and living a little easier,” he says.
IND vs SA: Sanju Samson's century guides India to 61-run win over South Africa, lead series 1-0
DNA TV Show: Loudspeaker controversy erupts ahead of Maharashtra Polls
Another masterstroke by Mukesh Ambani, set to challenge Haldiram, Britannia
IND vs SA, 1st T20I: Sanju Samson creates history in Durban, becomes first Indian player to....
Anushka Sharma, Virat Kohli make heads turn in Mumbai, watch
J-K: Police recover bodies of two village defence guards killed in Kishtwar terror attack
Bengaluru-Chennai expressway to slash travel time to 3 hours: 71-km stretch to open on...
Amid Champions Trophy row, India to face arch-rivals Pakistan on THIS date
BIG move by Gautam Adani, as Adani Power cuts Bangladesh supply by over 60% due to...
PM Modi attacks Congress in Nashik rally, says party wants to create rift among OBCs
Health Insurance Claim Process: A Step-by-Step guide
Ali Haider emerges as a young, driven digital disruptor with ConnectPR
ACIBADEM LabMed Laboratories ensures high standards in medical testing
THIS is world's highest-valued currency, not dollar, pound, euro
'Forgive me if...’: Justice DY Chandrachud's final message as Chief Justice of India
Watch: KL Rahul's brain fade leads to bizarre dismissal in India A vs Australia A match
Meme fest erupts after Biden delivers speech with smiling face, netizens say, 'He voted for Trump'
Viral video: Netizens react in shock as woman washes hair with toxic foam from Yamuna river, watch
How Trump’s ‘America First’ policy opens doors for India’s regional power
42-year-old retired player breaks silence on registering for IPL, says, 'I have never...'
'Main pairon mein gir gaya': Virat Kohli recalls memorable encounter with Sachin Tendulkar - Watch
Is kala namak really a detox? Shalini Passi swears by this simple health hack
BIG blow to Mukesh Ambani, as Reliance Industries loses over Rs 4 lakh crore in...
West Indies fast bowler Alzarri Joseph suspended for two ODIs; here's why
Himachal CM Sukhu's samosas, cakes served to security staff; CID probe on
'Conspiracy against Kashmir': PM Modi slams NC-Cong's Article 370 resolution
Meet Tamanna Bharat, who is all set to represent India at Miss Asia Global 2024 in Kerala
Bengaluru coconut vendor's viral ad challenges Zepto, Blinkit prices, netizen says 'let him cook'
Vvan: Sidharth Malhotra drops motion poster of folk mythological thriller, Kiara Advani reacts
Virat Kohli gets embarrassed as crowd sings 'Happy Birthday to you' in live event, WATCH viral video
Gym and fitness is all about overall health, not just good looks: BigMuscles Nutrition’s Suhel Vats
Station master's phone call with ex-wife led to Rs 3 crore loss to railways, know how
Uproar in J-K Assembly as BJP members protest over special status resolution
Aligarh Muslim University entitled to minority status under Article 30: SC
Collaborative global response a must to combat climate change effectively: Dr Sanju Purohit
Viral: Man rants about his GenZ colleague's leave to heal from breakup, gets trolled
Splitsvilla, Crime Petrol-fame actor Nitin Chauhaan passes away at 35 allegedly by suicide
Worrying signs for Mukesh Ambani's Rs 840960 crore company? Elon Musk will push Donald Trump to...
Have Virat Kohli, Anushka Sharma moved back to Mumbai? Here's what we know
Mukesh Ambani, Nita Ambani are fond of these five dishes which cost Rs...
Meet Indian-origin Kashyap 'Kash' Patel, who could be Donald Trump's likely pick for CIA Chief
Donald Trump's second term worries Elon Musk's transgender daughter, says....
Meet IAS officer, who was a disabled bangle seller, cracked UPSC exam, is now serving in...
Meet IAS officer, who is nemesis of criminals, cracked UPSC exam with AIR 36, she is...
SC to pronounce verdict on Aligarh Muslim University's minority status today
Happy Chhath Puja 2024: Top 50 wishes, What'sApp messages, quotes to share with your loved ones
Viral video: Woman's sensual dance to 'namak' sets internet on fire, watch
SA vs IND, 1st T20I: Predicted playing XIs, live streaming details, weather and pitch report
SA vs IND, 1st T20I Dream11 prediction: Fantasy cricket tips for South Africa vs India match
Meet man who is set to lead Truecaller, not from IIT, IIM, earlier served Vice President of...
DNA TV Show: Why Pakistan worried about a Donald Trump presidency
Pakistan bow down as THIS country set to host India’s Champions Trophy 2025 matches
Amid heavy pollution in Delhi, these 12 Indian cities enjoy fresh, clean air
Bigg Boss 18: Vivian Dsena confides in Kashish Kapoor about his stepdaughters, talks about his...