HYDERABAD: Dementia and Alzheimer are two issues that affect elderly people a lot and are two diseases that steadily progress calling upon the loved ones to show a great amount of patience. Studies have shown that people, who engage in intellectual activities such as reading and indulge in regular social interaction, show a reduced risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
Keeping that in mind, the ARDSI Hyderabad Deccan, a local chapter of the national organisation- Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders Society of India is launching the first-of-its-kind- ‘Brain Campaign’. The campaign will see four events spanning over six months designed around activities known to stimulate the brain and protect against dementia. This is an initiative to spread awareness about dementia and raise funds to setup Zeba Bashiruddin Centre for Healthy Aging- a community centre for dementia patients, caregivers and healthy elders.
“Each of these activities has been planned in such a way that they all stimulate the mind, keeping it active and alert. The idea is also to stress on the fact that the disease not only affects old people, but it is always good to take part in activities that are mentally stimulating. Ideally, one should start taking preventive measures in their thirties,” says Amulya Rajan, psychologist, ARDSI.
The first in the events lined up is the ‘The Lady in the Mirror’, puppet show, which is based on the story of a Punjabi family dealing with Alzheimer’s. This will be followed by Music for memories - a music recital in January 2015, Cog quiz, quiz for grandparent-granchild teams on cognition and memories in February, Walk to reminiscence – Hyderabad historical walk in April. “This is the first time that a puppet show was used as a medium to generate awareness about the disease. The show dealt with what goes into taking care of those afflicted with it, the caregivers and the different kinds of stigma attached to it,” adds Amulya, who also wrote the screenplay for the show. The puppet show was held in association with Nori Art and Puppetry Centre (NAPC) on November 1 .
NAPC has won several awards for their work like the Nandi Award, the NCERT Award and the Ugadi Puraskar Award for their innovative use of puppetry.
Since its initiation in the year 2008, ARDSI Hyderabad Deccan has persevered to make Hyderabad more aware and more responsive to the disease- Dementia.