Understanding Dementia

The Dementia Friends Program of SCARF (Schizophrenia Research Foundation) is a unique initiative aimed to create dementia friendly community in Chennai. Hear from the young volunteers themselves how it not only helps engage persons with dementia but also makes the youth aware and empathetic. Around 4.5 million people in India are suffering from dementia and the figure is likely to double by 2030, according to health experts. Despite the large numbers, only 1 out of 10 people with dementia in…

Vishaal Nityanand, a young filmmaker, ploughed his own money and full commitment to make Life Flows On, a movie on people with dementia and their caregivers, in order to raise awareness and understanding about the condition that he feels is callously neglected and overlooked in India. Read his interview. You have written and directed the film ‘Life Flows On’ that is dedicated to people with dementia and caregivers. Could you tell us a little about it? Life Flows On deals with three dementia…

The best way to help a person with dementia is to ensure that they maintain control over as many areas of their life as possible and encourage them to maximise their remaining abilities, recommends Amrita Patil–Pimpale, a dementia care consultant. During my recent home visit to Mr. Dsouza (name changed) who is living with Dementia, I noticed a bottle of floor cleaner kept on his dining table. Usually this isn’t matter of concern. However in Mr. Dsouza’s case, he is in mid-stage of dementia, has…

Dr (Prof) Nandi, 83 is a full time caregiver for his wife, Dr Gita Nandi, who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. He shares his experience of a caregiver in this personal account. My wife is a doctor herself and she has been suffering from Alzheimer’s for the last six and a half years. The first symptoms were that she started having breathing trouble. I admitted her to the Railway Hospital. She used to be a senior doctor with the Railways and we also used to live in the Railway quarters in…

There are a lot of things you can do especially in the early to middle stages to manage and delay the progression of dementia. Read on to find out more: Staying Active Finding activities that the person with AD can do and is interested in can be a challenge. Building on current skills generally works better than trying to teach something new.  Don't expect too much. Simple activities are best, especially when they use current abilities. Help the person get started on an activity. Break…

Sometimes the Daily activties like Bathing, Dressing and Eating can be a huge challenge for caregivers looking after a person with dementia. Here are a few useful tips. Let us know which one you find helpful. Tips for Bathing For some people bath time can be a frightening, confusing experience.  Plan the bath or shower for the time of day when the person is most calm and agreeable. Be consistent. Try to develop a routine. Tell the person what you are going to do, step by step, and allow…

The world of medicine is beginning to increasingly acknowledge the potential of expressive arts therapies such as art, music, drama, dance/movement, poetry/creative writing and play in the context of healing, treatment, psychotherapy, counselling and rehabilitation. Activities such as drawing, drumming, creative movement and play acting allow individuals of all ages to express deep-seated thoughts and feelings, improve physical, mental and emotional well-being and boost self-esteem and…

Communicating with a person with dementia can be quite a challenge. There are some tips that can definitely help get the attention of the person and not agitate them. Here are some Dos and Don'ts. DO's DON'Ts Approach from the front, make eye contact and introduce yourself if necessary Don’t wave hand while talking as person’s attention could be distracted Speak slowly, calmly and use a friendly facial expression Don’t talk too fast or shout. Shouting out could have negative effect…

Tips for Caregivers Dementia is a general term for decline in a person's mental ability that is severe enough to interfere with his/her daily life. It may involvememory loss, difficulties with thinking, problem-solving or language. Dementia is progressive, which means the symptoms will gradually get worse. Even though most cases of dementia come from irreversible causes, there is still much that families can do to help their loved ones continue to function as well as possible for as…

The Choir of the Loaves and Fish, a musical ensemble of senior citizens, started by Pervin Varma with Regina Thomas in Bengaluru has been immensely therapeutic for the elderly and has helped bring loads of warmth and sunshine into their lives. Picture above: Ammachy taking a bow with Pervin Varma Imagine a group of people – all senior citizens between 65 and 96 – people who have suffered strokes or are living with cancer, arthritis, heart disease, dementia, physical disabilities, people with…