Media Release

Mangalore, Jan 16: Jerardin D'souza,the managing trustee of 'Spandhana --We Care' Charitable Trust and founder member of Karnataka State Christian Minority Development Council [KSCMDC] inaugrated a meet on Alzheimer and its effects.

Jerardin D'Souza along with with an American tourist Richard Shreder, an expert on Alzhiemers Care Giving helped to organize the Alzheimers meet.

Richard  the Alzheimer expert from Seattle, USA, gave a brilliant talk and insight  into the Alzheimer mind.

Under the guidance of Dr Olinda Periera, the legendary founder of the premier Social work School Roshini Nilaya, chairperson of 'Vishwas Trust, the meet took place.

''Long Term memory remains relatively okay, but the short term memory goes for a toss,''  said the eminent psychiatrist Dr Ravish Thunga.

He was extremely thrilled that Jerardin Dsouza and Richard Shreder,have taken the much needed step of bringing together,the various stakeholders,from families to psychiatrists to social workers to care givers. Dr Thunga promised all support to this pioneering effort.

''Mid life prevention, i e; before the age of 60 Yoga, walking, as well a mental exercises like Chess,reading, crosswords etc can delay the onset of Alzheimers ," said the Geriatric Care Specialist  Dr Prabha Adhikari, KMC,Mangalore, who attended the meet despite a tight schedule.

''Alzheimers is responsible for 50 to 60% of the memory loss diseases in the various forms of dementia and taking care of diabetes , Alcoholic dementia etc ,can help'' said the leading psychiatrist and head of KSHEMA, Dr Sateesh Rao.

After all the medical information on the occurence and preventive steps of the onset of Alzheimers the stage was set for the mainspeaker of the evening, the Alzheimers Care Giving Specialist, Richard Shreder,from Seattle,USA.

"Dont you ever disagree or confront an Alzheimers affected person with' didnt I tell you' or 'dont you remember' or 'you just had food' etc  because they do not remember" said Richard.

"If they are used to a certain routine ,like washing dishes,Let them do it,even  if they are doing a bad job because they feel useful and not wasted," he added.

Richard,answered all the queries that were put forth.The audience felt validated when Richard earnestly replied to even the smallest query.

There was a lively interactive session,where people,whose wives or fathers or brothers were affected and shared their emotion filled stories. 

Nayak shared her fathers story, as well as Udayashanker from Bangalore,told that he could not take up a job as he has to care for his wife. The involvement was unparalleled, Celene Aranha, Sr Hilda Albuquerque, Dr. P.N.Veigas , Pramod Pinto  ,Dhanapal, Erol Fernandes, Dr Upasana, Naina Fernandes,, Krishnan, Rasheed Bolar, Dr Patrick,Dr Usha Kent were involved in the session.

 ''I didnt know how to even pronounce Alzheimers but after  Richards meet, I felt fully aware and I will share and spread the Alzheimers information to all the LIONS Districts " promised Lion Arun Shetty, advocate and notary.

Dr Audrey Pinto was active as a moderator.

Jerardin D'souza, made a special mention of Dr Lavina Noronha, director, Ave Maria, Palliative Care,. He took her as a role model to the care givers, as she ,an eminent counsellor, turned into a care giver and faced the trials ,when her father was diagnosed with Alzheimers.

When Dr,Olinda Perira, started thanking the gathering, Jerardin D'souza, interjected and said ,"We have to thank You Dr.Olinda & not the other way round.In an emotion filled address  he said'' There is No Last and No Least" Everyone here has come with their inner feeling. All are equally important ,from the speakers to the participants .

Jerardin expressed his concern for the lesser blessed brethren in villages and poorer sections, where the awareness is much less.

Having already met U T Khader,the Health Minister and Bishop Dr Aloysius Paul D'souza he hoped to pursue the matter further and make a differewnce there.  Dr Thunga and the rest extended their support for the same.

He appreciated the role of the one who served coffee to that of  the main speaker. Jerardin called Dr Olinda Perira  'The Umbrella or Banyan Tree' where at present ,any one in need should contact. Volunteers willing to join hands were requested to contact Dr Olinda.

Jerardin D'souza was the chief co-ordinator for this meet.

"There was a great feeling of togetherness and we can hope for better service and awareness on this lesser known affliction that is Alzheimers," said Richard Shreder.