Anvayaa organizes a Fire Side Chat on Dementia Care

 Anvayaa,  India’s first and only IoT and AI tech-based start-up platform providing Companionship and Care to the elders hosted a Fireside chat on World Alzheimer’s Day themed ‘Know Alzheimer’s Know Dementia – Post diagnosis support’.  The panel was attended by Dr. Sanjay R Kumawat, Director, Insight Mind Care Center, Thane, Consultant Psychiatrist, Mr. Sailesh Mishra, Founder, Silver Innings Group, Dr. Manish Chhabria, Consultant Neurology, Sir H.N. Reliance Foundation Hospital & Research Centre, and Mr. Prashanth Reddy, Founder, and Managing Director, Anvayaa Kin-Care Pvt Ltd along with other guests and senior citizens. The chat focused on an insightful discussion on challenges faced by caregivers and family in diagnosis and post-diagnosis care for elders with Dementia and the supportive eco-system required for effective management of such elders.

‘Dementia’ is generally considered a part of aging; however, it does not occur naturally. Alzheimer’s Disease is the most common factor causing Dementia. As per the DementiaInIndia   & #LASI Wave-I report, around 5.3 Million Indians were affected by #Dementia in 2020. This number is likely to go up to a staggering 14 Million by the year 2050. Besides the diagnosis, post-diagnosis care, caregiver burnout, unique treatment plan, and unique challenges in taking care of elders with dementia. A personalized treatment plan enabling regular monitoring and tracking of the elderly is necessary because it manifests differently in different people and across the stages of progression. As the condition of the elderly worsens without adequate care and professional support, the whole family is bound to suffer great stress and pain.

Anvayaa’s one-of-a-kind #DementiaCarePlans are designed to reduce caregiver fatigue and the frustration the family goes through. Anvayaa has repeatedly shown that despite the lack of a cure for dementia, there is still a great deal that is possible to help people with dementia.  In comparison with other conditions faced by seniors, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia have very different symptoms and results. The pathogenesis of dementia is a progressive decline in cognitive function (memory, reasoning, decision-making, judgment, etc.), ultimately affecting bodily function. Dementia affects every aspect of a senior’s life, making specialized and personalized care even more essential. Although every case of dementia is unique, here are some things that may happen to a senior with these conditions’ general loss of memory, language, and decision-making abilities, dementia can cause other symptoms. These include changes in mood, such as increased irritability, depression, and anxiety. This requires compassionate and specialized training of caregivers to deal with the elderly. Early detection and diagnosis of Dementia can greatly help in slowing down the rate of deterioration and immensely helps in providing a much better quality of life for our beloved elders and their families.

According to Mr. Prashanth Reddy, Founder and Managing Director of Anvayaa Kin-Care Pvt Ltd, said, “We are happy to associate with Silver Innings, Dr. Sanjay R Kumawat, Clinical Psychiatrist, and Dr. Manish Chhabria, Consultant Neurology to host this fireside chat to spread awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and dementia on the occasion of World Alzheimer’s Day.  Our aim is to identify the critical challenges faced during post-diagnosis care of people with dementia. We have also developed ‘AI Enabled at Home Anvayaa’s Dementia Care Plan’ for compassionate care through a team of specially trained ‘Care Specialists’ who are guided by a team of qualified clinicians to provide customized support to persons with dementia and help the families to prevent burnout. The enlightening session today, will help Anvayaa further improve the services and help elders live a dignified life.  We firmly believe that although Alzheimer’s cannot be reversed, however with strategic interventions along with the trust and support of the elders and their families we can definitely help to delay the progress. We have already been able to positively improve the quality of life of persons with dementia in the last few months and hope to continuously improve our services and help more elders with dementia.”

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Sailesh Mishra, Founder, Silver Innings Group “It is a pleasure to associate with Anvayaa Kin Care and Dr. Sanjay R Kumawat for this necessary dialogue. As the world is progressing Dementia & Alzheimer’s are turning into a new Pandemics , and if India does not wake up then it will be difficult to handle. These diseases not only affect people with Dementia but also is a social, economic, and psychological burden on millions of families and caregivers.

Adding to this Dr. Sanjay R Kumawat, Director, Consultant Psychiatrist, Insight Mind Care Center said, “It is high time that we sensitize the community about Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia. These conditions are difficult to identify and diagnose. The post-diagnosis care is even more challenging both for the patient and the family. With the present lifestyle, it is time to be prepared for caring and understanding the patient with dementia. We should also make efforts to avoid the disease by adopting a healthy lifestyle. I would like to thank the entire team of Anvayaa to come forward and organize such an enlightening discussion on Dementia Care.”

Anvayaa has extensively grown and presently serves different services such as companionship, caretakers, tech instruction for elders, visiting temples or malls-assisting the elderly with shopping and other errands through our care managers. With technology-driven initiatives, Anvayaa guarantees senior residents with services including crisis care and social commitment. Over the past 6 years, Anvayaa has handled 350+ medical emergencies and provided immediate logistic support to the elderly to get access to healthcare in time as a result of which Anvayaa was able to save 97% of lives.

#Silverinnings #SaileshMishra #SeniorCitizens #Dementia #Dementiacare #Mumbai 

Humans of Dementia - Ajay

 Ajay became a part of A1Snehanjali in 2013 when he was seeking employment while working as a farmer. Ajay is 25 years old and currently works as a caregiver for people with Alzheimer’s disease. He spends his days taking care of them and tending to the needs of the residents. 

Ajay has been a part of the organisation since the project was initiated in August 2013. After he started working at A1Snehanjali, he learnt about Alzheimer’s and he decided he wanted to help the people who have become the victims of such a “nirdaye” (cruel) disease. “Everyone should live a good life,” he said. “Just because they cannot eat or relieve themselves independently, it does not mean we will take away their right to live a good life.”

As a caregiver, Ajay’s job entails waking up the residents, giving them a bath, giving them their medicines, feeding them their breakfast, taking them for a walk, engaging them in group activities, changing their diapers, preparing their lunch and then taking them for a nap. He manages all their grooming activities like helping them brush their teeth, changing their clothes and trimming their nails.

Ajay shared the story of one of the initial days of his job as a caretaker. At that time, there used to be only one resident in the organisation who had a habit of wandering off. Ajay used to stay by his side all the time and follow him around. Spending all his time talking, playing and taking care of that one resident made him so attached to him that Ajay started considering him as his own family member. When asked about the challenges he faces during this job as a caregiver, Ajay laughed and replied, “It’s their anger and their violent hits.” In situations like these, he waits for a few minutes for them to calm down and then tries again.

Despite this job being physically exhausting and mentally draining, the emotional attachment that each resident has with Ajay makes this job worthwhile for him. He “feels good” even after being tired. There have been numerous days throughout the years where Ajay wants to take a leave. When the residents get to know about this news, they get anxious about how they would be spending their day without Ajay, or who would look after them and listen to them talk. And the day Ajay returns to them, they immediately become happy. Ajay says that all this love and little acts of caring they have for him touches his heart and makes him want to work harder for them.

There is one thing that, he feels, many people do not know about Alzheimer’s and dementia disease― the importance of taking care of people who are diagnosed with the condition. Many people give up on them after the diagnosis because they find looking after them to be very tiresome and taxing. Ajay strongly believes that people should not ignore the needs― physical, mental and emotional― of these people. He also thinks that as a caregiver, it is necessary to know how to handle the resident, how to calm them down and understand them and also efficiently manage their sanitation and grooming.

Whenever someone learns that he is working as a caregiver and taking care of people with Alzheimer’s, they greatly appreciate him. He promises to work for and help these people till the day he can and also hopes others would follow his lead and help these people in all the ways they can.

Ajay strongly believes "Those with dementia are still people and they still have stories and they still have character and they're all individuals and they're all unique. And they just need to be interacted with on a human level." - Carey Mulligan.

By Vansh Tibrewal

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Humans of Dementia - Jenet

 Jenet is a 37-year-old qualified social worker who has been taking care of Person with Dementia, Alzheimer’s for the past 7 years. In 2012, she was working with children who were diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, but she was simultaneously also looking for a job opportunity. This is when in 2014, her journey as a caregiver with A1Snehanjali, assisted living elder care home, a project of Silver Innings, began.

Humans of Dementia - Jenet

In 2006, Jenet’s grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. This was the first time she encountered the condition and understood it. The diagnosis was a changing point in her life because she couldn’t fathom the fact that such a disease exists. However, in the process of taking care of her grandmother and looking after her, she learnt how important it is to be there for a person with Alzheimer’s. She recognized how important it is to tend to their needs and to let them know that there is someone to look after them.

As a professional, Jenet’s job begins at 9 in the morning and ends at 6 in the evening, but as a caregiver, she has a 24-hour job. She believes that there are no time boundaries for a job like this because the residents of A1Snehanjai require emotional care, which isn’t something that can be limited within fixed time periods. Her days are spent planning and managing other workers who work at A1Snehanjali and tracking the activities of the residents ― whether they’ve taken their medicines and meals, and if not, why, what’s their mood for the day, how they are engaging in different activities. She also arranges for doctors, physiotherapists, entertainment programmes and creative activities, helps her staff in grooming and feeding the residents, and always motivates and encourages the residents as well as her staff.

Dementia Friend

She started working as ‘Center Manager’ at A1Snehanjali one of its kind Dementia home in India and her passion, dedication and curiosity to learn was not only noticed but also appreciated by Management and she been promoted as ‘Senior Center Manager’.  Her work not only includes managing A1Snehanjali, but also to work and coordinate with local community and make meaningful impact for development of community including Zilla Parishad Primary Schools, Faith base organization, Municipal Corporation and  Environment. Her work and and human management during 2020 and 2021 Covid Pandemic is her biggest achievement and moment of honour for her organization Silver Innings.

Unsung Corona Warrior

She often came across situations where the family of the resident thought that the memory loss was just an act to gain attention and not a real symptom of something as severe as Alzheimer’s. That is why she believes that there should be more awareness as well as acceptance of the disease. People should know what Alzheimer’s is and if they suspect anyone is showing the symptoms, they should take it seriously and consult a neurologist or psychiatrist. There were also times when her own mood (or the staff mood) seemed like a challenge or hindered the caregiving work. In situations like these, Jenet conducts creative activities like painting and crafting, or different entertainment programmes like movies, listening to songs, dancing and playing games as a means to relieve the stress of her team and also refresh the residents mood.

Multi Role Dementia Warrior

The person suffering from Alzheimer’s are dependent on others; they need love, care, support and attention. Even though there is some stress, the emotional attachment with the residents and their love makes up for all of it. She says that although the residents might not remember her name, they search for her when she is not around, and this, alone, is enough for her to keep working for them.

The day she had taken up this job, her family had been bewildered, “Udhar jaake kya kaam karegi?” (What work will you do there?) However, now, after Jenet has made a lot of people aware about Alzheimer’s and how they need to be taken care of, people are proud of the work she is doing.

Jenet has learn from a wonderful quote from Leo Buscaglia that “Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”

 

-Vansh Tibrewal

 

Visit Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/HumansofDementia

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 #Silverinnings #HumansofDementia #dementia #Alzheimer #humanity #HumanityFirst #love #family #Instagram #A1Snehanjali #Relationship #Caregiver #Caregiving #Humans

 

Humans of Dementia - Raynah Remedios

 Making her father happier in his sunset years

Dementia and Alzheimer's were words Raynah had heard of, but could never truly comprehend. All she thought was that it perhaps had something to do with old age. She never realised the seriousness of the condition until it hit home and affected their lives as a family. Raynah lived in another city so her parents would visit her for about a month every year and she would visit them from time to time. 

There would be tell-tale signs in her father’s behaviour but as all do, would pass it off as absent mindedness or forgetfulness that was part of the ageing. There was this one time, when she saw him walking about with his dark glasses on. At first she ignored it but when she saw him reading the newspaper with his dark glasses on, she asked why? When he replied, “No wonder it is so dark! I was wondering why there is no light in your house." it made her wonder but not enough to be worried.

There were other such instances, which she dismissed off, like he would misplace things regularly, repeat the same stories or ask the same questions over and over again. She recalls that her mother was upset because he hadn’t wished her and thought that he was just being mean but he actually did not remember what day it was.  From not remembering names, not remembering days, years, birthdays to being unable to keep accounts, misplacing money, forgetting ATM pins, her father soon lost interest in doing the things he loved, like watching sports, movies and the news on TV. What worried Raynah more was that he stopped reading the newspaper, a ritual he had practiced religiously all his life.  

The family had till then still not realised that dementia had set in a while ago and was now progressing at an alarming rate.  When they finally took him to get some tests done, the doctor said that he should have been brought in five years ago. Everything quickly began to fall apart a few months after his diagnosis, as her father started to lose control over his bodily functions and would hide his soiled clothes in embarrassment. He used to love to eat and never wasted food but now he was now pushing his plate aside, barely eating a few morsels. His appetite diminished and slowly his personality started to change as well and would not talk much to anyone. He was angry a lot more and got aggressive when he would not be allowed to go out on his own. Her father walked out of the house often, would wander on the streets, get on to trains and buses and they would be forced to follow him, so he did not get lost. Raynah and her mother soon realised that there would be no permanent solution for this situation. 

On their next visit to the doctor, the family was told that the medication was not helping and the only option was to sedate him. The continuous sleeping most of the day left him disoriented and disheartened by the side effects, so the family decided not to continue to sedate him. When Raynah realised that her mother, who was his sole care giver, could not manage the pressures of looking after him all day any more, they began to reach out to people in the hope to find support and care. Of the options available, Raynah came to the conclusion that ‘A1Snehanjali’, dementia care facility of Silver Innings was the best place to give him the 24 hour attention, assistance and after  visit to the facility, they felt confident that he would be well looked after there. 

 

The choice to put their father in ‘A1Snehanjali’ wasn’t an easy one. It came with a guilt and disappointment of not being able to provide the comfort he needed and having to reach out to someone better equipped to help their father live out the remainder of his life, away from all his loved ones. ‘A1Snehanjali’ and their team proved to be the right choice and have not only been keeping him engaged but they have helped him retain some of his cognitive ability too. While his memory and cognitive and physical capabilities continue to deteriorate as the disease progresses, the family's only solace is that he is being taken good care of and doesn’t know what is happening. That he is happy and at peace in his own world, is now enough for the family.

Shared by Raynah Remedios, Daughter

Edited and Complied by Hira Mehta

Courtesy: 'Remember ME - You Me and Dementia' Book https://www.amazon.in/dp/9385221051 

Visit Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/HumansofDementia 

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#Silverinnings #HumansofDementia #dementia #Alzheimer #humanity #HumanityFirst #love #family #Instagram #A1Snehanjali #Relationship #Caregiver #Caregiving #Humans

Humans of Dementia - Jasmina

After Jasmina completed her university education, she became a stay-at-home mother. Spending all her time at home, she felt like she was sitting idle without a purpose, especially since she was qualified to take up more work. She was dissatisfied with her current state and decided that she would venture out to work. This is when she was introduced to A1Snehanjali assisted living elder care home, a project of Silver Innings and the work they do for elders and dementia. And the credit also goes to her husband, who encouraged her to take up some work, then being idle at home. 

Prior to her introduction to A1 Snehanjali, she didn’t know what Alzheimer’s disease was. However, when she visited the centre and spoke to the staff, she learnt more about the disease itself as well as the role of a caregiver in the dementia person lives. As she began coming to the job, she felt a homely feeling, an affection and closeness, which was missing in her life. The person with dementia seemed like her old parents and grandparents, and she found happiness in serving them. The missing piece in her life had been filled by her job.

Jasmina has now completed two years as a Center In charge and caregiver at A1Snehanjali. Serving the person with dementia (called as Residents) over the years, she has come to realise the value of her own parents and elders, and how fragile those relationships are. She has also found her co-staff and management to be helpful and supportive of each other, creating a healthy work environment. This is why she considers the person with dementia (residents) and staff to be her second family. But, it is also due to this attachment that when a any residents passes away, it really affects her a lot. When you serve someone every single day and one day they are no longer there, it creates a void and the absence is felt. While this hurts Jasmine a lot, she knows that this is a part and parcel of her work as a caregiver, and so, she continues to work in order to better the life of the residents.

Jasmina’s family members are very proud of Jasmina and the work she does. Her children and mother-in-law are extremely supportive of her job, and it is due to this that she is able to contribute time at her job and at home. Every morning, Jasmina wakes up, sends her children to school and comes to the centre. At the centre, she spends time with the residents, person with dementia - talking to them, facilitating prayer time, doing meaningful activities with them like singing, playing, drawing and watching TV. While she is at the centre, her mother-in-law looks after the home, which provides Jasmina support as she is freely able to go to work without worrying about the house. When Jasmina returns from work, she spends time with her children and finishes up the housework.

Having worked as a caregiver for last two years, Jasmina only has one thing to say - “Understand the value of your parents and grandparents. Respect them and care for them. Teach your children the same because if you don’t, one day you will be in the place of your parents and you won’t have anyone there for you.”

- By Vansh Tibrewal

Visit Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/HumansofDementia

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Humans of Dementia - Ganesh

 Ganesh is a 24-year-old full-time caregiver at A1Snehanjali. He is from Adivasis community (indigenous peoples of India) from small village near Vikramgad, Palghar District. His journey as a caregiver to person with Dementia (called as residents) began when he was looking for a job after completion of his class 12th education in village. He was introduced to Silver Innings assisted living elder care home ‘A1Snehanjali’ at Rajodi, Virar and decided to take up caregiving as his full-time job alongside continuing his education with encouragement and support of compassionate management.    

As a caregiver, his job entails of several tasks such as making the Residents eat food, giving them a bath, conducting prayer time, and making them go to bed at night. Every day, the residents also have scheduled recreation and mental stimulation activity time where Ganesh and other staff members facilitate activities like playing games, music, dance, art & craft, walk etc

Before coming to the centre, Ganesh didn’t know anything about Alzheimer’s disease or A1Snehanjali’s work. When he came here and learnt about the disease for the first time, he was shocked - “Aisa kaise? Aisa hota hai?” (How is this possible? This happens?) Slowly, he learnt more about Alzheimer’s, the needs and challenges of its person and how care can be given to them to make their life experience smoother. Since then, he has been working for A1Snehanjali, taking care of residents at the centre. 

As a 24-year old, he is one of the youngest staff members at the organisation. Working in a place where the other staff members are older than you can sound like a barrier in making friends at work, however, Ganesh didn’t seem to face that challenge. Rather, he believes that he found his co- staff members to be more than friends - he found a family in them. This is because the staff and management helps each other out and treats each other with respect, which makes it a peaceful work environment. 

Whilst working full-time, Ganesh also managed to study side-by-side, and recently he completed his Graduation BA with 93%. One would assume that balancing both is a challenge, and the job would be adding to Ganesh’s stress. However, it is surprising yet pleasing to know that he doesn’t find his job stressful nor does he find it tedious. Instead, he feels that the job brings him happiness and joy. It relieves his stress and gives him the satisfaction of having done good in society. Everyone at A1Snehanjali is helpful and supportive of each other as well as the residents, and so he feels like he belongs there. 

Being a young man working at a centre that takes care of Dementia / Alzheimer’s person – mental health issues, one would think that his family would have some reservations, perhaps the typical expectation of getting a corporate job. But, Ganesh’s family doesn’t seem to think that way. On the contrary, Ganesh’s family gives him blessings because he is helping people, helping Elders, doing good and virtuous work. It is a form of seva and his family is proud of him for doing it. 

Ganesh is an example and inspiration to youth of India, which thinks differently, being progressive, and committed to humanity!  

By Vansh Tibrewal

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STRUGGLE WITH LOSS OF MEMORY By Shivangi

Imagine not knowing who you are. Not being able to recollect and recognize your own life.
If a person starts to question his own Identity and is unable to answer the basic questions that forms the basis of who he is, not knowing his name, where he comes from and not knowing the people in his family, that in itself it a scary situation.

Courtesy https://blogs.psychcentral.com/

Dementia is a symptom that decreases the cognitive function of the brain and interferes with the daily routine of a person. But again it is a symptom, which might be due to many diseases. The most known disease which leads to dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. It contributes to 60-80% cases of dementia.

In India, forgetfulness is deemed as a part of aging and it is true to some extent. Old age comes with a general decrease in overall heath and not just loss of memory. This becomes a reason for delayed diagnosis of a disease like Alzheimer’s. There is no cure for such a disease so far but early diagnosis can be very helpful in the management of the patient and the family’s outlook towards their situation. Dementia is not just a difficult situation faced by the person suffering from it but it is also very difficult for the family as it is hard to understand how a person who was fine a while ago is now deteriorating like this. No one except the person suffering can understand what it feels like to lose a part of yourself every day and to be unable to explain it.

India is ranked 2nd in terms of people suffering from Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia; with an estimated figure of 4.1 million. It is expected to double by 2035 according to The Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders Society of India.

Awareness about this issue is important as 6 in 10 people suffering from Dementia wander into the streets alone and cannot find their way back home. Depending upon the age and stage of dementia of the person, it is hard for them to remember even their own name, address or any relevant information that could help them find their way back . In India, only 1/10th of the total missing elderly folks are ever found. Even the ones who are found have a high chance of having sustained major injuries and being in a bad shape due to many factors including their own age.

If I were to have a positive outlook in this situation, then I would refer to the story of a 94 year old woman named Panchubai Tejpal Shingane who was reunited with her family in May, 2020 after 41 years. She was from Amravti district of  Maharashtra and lost her way in 1979. She couldn’t recall anything about herself. With the help of some kind people who took care of her, she was able to survive all these years and finally reunite with her family. The kind of pain and torture it would have caused to the family of Panchubai to have lost her like this is unimaginable.

My grandfather suffered from Alzheimer’s and seeing him deteriorate from a strong man to someone who could not even recognize members of his own family or recollect their names, was painful. He didn’t know who I was and confused me for his daughter. Unfortunately, in September of 2016 he wandered out of the house. Even though we took all kinds of possible precautions and yet something fell short. He went missing for 24 hours and I was not aware of this for more than 12 hours as I was not in town and my parents didn’t want me to be worried as I could do nothing. From the time that I came to know about this, the thought that crossed my mind, haunting me, was that what if I don’t get to see him again and it was heartbreaking. Those 24 hours were equally and more devastating for everyone in the family. He was found in the ER of a hospital. He had sustained major injuries including a broken hip but thankfully we found him. Few months later, he breathed his last in February, 2017. I believe the few months we got to spend with him were a blessing in disguise and I am grateful for that. It pains me to think that for one entire night nobody, in a place as busy as Delhi, noticed him or tried to help him.

I would request everyone to keep an open mind and not ignore someone in need of help. There are so many such cases in the world and we need to pay more attention towards these cases. Be kind.

Even today in India there is no centralized support system for people suffering from dementia. With such an alarming increase in these cases, such a system is highly needed along with the necessity of awareness about this disease and such situations.

As a human being, I feel it is very important to be compassionate towards the weaker sections of the society, especially the elderly in this case.

By Shivangi - Introspection: Looking Within Us

Source: http://shivangisharan.blogspot.com/2020/07/struggle-with-loss-of-memory.html?m=1

Unsung ChangeMakers of Dementia- a short film by Abhilasha Tiwari

डिमेंशिया / अल्ज़ाइमर - दिमाग की बैंड बज गई - क्या आपका कोई प्रियजन डिमेंशिया से ग्रस्त है ? देखिये वीरो की कहनी

Unsung ChangeMakers - a short film by Abhilasha Tiwari: Old age can be tough, dementia & Alzheimer's make it tougher but the toughest is to handle a sufferer of dementia with all the smiles.

All I knew about dementia and Alzheimer's was through movies, shows, articles etc and I thought I knew about it really well. But hey, the real scenario showed a completely different picture.

And what was more surprising was the job of the caregivers who are working with them 24*7. and you will .know in this video about the WHY.

Dedicated to all you unsung changemakers.

By Abhilasha Tiwari

Special Thanks to Staff and Family Members at A1 Snehanjali, SilverInning Foundation, Silver innings, Sailesh Mishra, Jenet Faras, Joana Tai, Rita, Jennifer


Music : https://www.bensound.com


aBHi laSHa
Published on Jun 8, 2018






#Dementia #Alzheimer's #India #Ageing #Caregivers #Aging #Changemakers #UnsungHeroes #StoriesofChange #Silverinnings #A1Snehanjali #Mumbai #Oldage #Dementiahome #AssistedLiving #SeniorLiving #AbhilashaTiwari #DementiaCare #RememberME

7 Signs Your Aging Parents Need Extra Help

While their 84-year-old father recovered at a rehabilitation facility after landing in the hospital with symptoms of a mini-stroke, the Jones (not their real name) siblings took the opportunity to do some cleaning at his house.

Opening the fridge, they were shocked to find layers of mold, hardened food and multiple jars of the same item in varying states of decomposition. They knew solo living had become challenging for their dad, but they didn’t realize the extent of the decline.

“The two biggest reasons for geriatric decline are depression and dementia,” says Amy Fuchs, elder care consultant and licensed clinical social worker in Saddle River, N.J. Depression can set in when older people feel isolated and lonely, and often may be grieving the recent death of a friend.

“Their friends are dying around them, and they’re also fully aware they can’t do what they used to do,” Fuchs says. Early dementia may be subtle and tricky to spot if you don’t live nearby and see your parents regularly. It might look like bouts of confusion, as the Jones siblings thought.

Pay Attention
Often, it takes a medical crisis to spearhead conversations about new needs. But you’ll likely notice signs indicating your parents aren’t as independent as they once were. Elders who want to remain in their home may not admit they need help for fear of being encouraged into an assisted living situation. But letting things go too far can precipitate a crisis situation.

Here are seven common signs to watch for: http://www.nextavenue.org/7-signs-your-aging-parents-need-extra-help/

The Promise of Prometheus – Golden Aging in Europe and Central Asia

In Greek mythology, the “Golden Age” referred to an idyllic period of peace and stability when people lived long, healthy, active, and prosperous lives. Prometheus, the Titan god of forethought, is said to have promised, “A new Golden Age shall come, brighter and better by far than the old!”

In this ancient fable, stable populations and long lives were central elements of flourishing societies free of disease and poverty.

Nowadays, stagnant populations and aging societies are often seen as a challenge or threat, rather than an opportunity – but the current aging of societies in Europe could bring citizens closer than many expect to the ideal described in mythology.

Aging Societies

The average age of the population in Europe and Central Asia today is 37 years old – eight years older than the average age six decades ago. This development is most advanced in the western part of the region, but the relatively young populations in Turkey and in Central Asia are expected to quickly follow this demographic trend.

The main reason behind population aging in the region is not that people are living longer, but that they are having fewer children. Since the 1970s, fertility rates have declined dramatically. Outward migration of young people is also playing a role in shaping the population structure in several countries.

The potential impacts of aging societies are often cause for apprehension. Working individuals, for example, are concerned about bearing the burden of financing health and pension systems that will have to support more elderly people.

Such concerns are warranted – and governments are tasked with helping to address them in a socially responsible and fiscally prudent way. The task is immense and challenging, but not impossible. Indeed, aging societies present opportunities to implement important socioeconomic reforms that can ultimately help foster a more active, healthy, and productive society.

A New Golden Age

Policies can help stabilize the demographic structure, enhancing the opportunities and mitigating the negative socioeconomic consequences of aging populations. The most immediate priorities for governments are to enable longer and more productive working lives, ensure fiscal sustainability, and prevent aging from leading to an increase in old-age poverty. But individuals, businesses and governments all have a role to play.

According to legend, Prometheus was always looking to the future and preparing for what might happen tomorrow, next year, or in a hundred years. To fully prepare for the new demographic reality and to seize the potential opportunities, policymakers across Europe and Central Asia would do well to follow his example. Perhaps then, all citizens can look forward one day to their Golden Age of aging.

Read in detail: http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2015/06/16/promise-of-prometheus-golden-aging-in-europe-and-central-asia

Courtesy: World Bank Report 2015

Is This The Long Goodbye ? BY Lisa Hirsch

My best friend's mother just passed away after suffering from Alzheimer's for the last several years. As she sat by her mom's bed for the last week watching her fade away, I could not stop to wonder what it will be like for my mom when her time arrives. As I received the news uncontrollable tears began to run down my face. I knew a great deal of the sorrow that I was feeling was connected to my own personal grief.

At the Alzheimer support group that I have been attending for almost three years, my leader has been telling me that I was in a grieving process. The first time she said this to me, I responded that I was not, because my mom, was not dying. Now I understand all, too much.

It's funny because just the other day one of mom's nurses reassured me, with delight in her voice, that my mom was doing great. She shared with me how blessed my mom was and that she'll be around for quite a while. After hanging up the phone my emotions, thoughts and feelings ran rampant.

Yes, I understand that I am lucky to still have my mom, yet I also know how much more Alzheimer's can rob from her. Just thinking of how much worse she could become, as this disease progresses, leaves me feeling nauseous and sick to my stomach.

I must confess, that at moments throughout the years, knowing that there is no cure, I have wished that my mom could just close her eyes and go to sleep. I know that if she understood or could see what was happening to her, she would also wish for the same.

Today,I am in mourning for my best friend's mom and maybe also grieving for mine. For now I know that I must express what I am feeling to free myself from these haunting thoughts.

Maybe for my mother and our family this will be a long goodbye. Whatever it is I need to get back into the space of feeling grateful. In less than two weeks I will be going with my son to visit her. As long as I can see her smile and hear her say she loves me, I will push myself to come from a place of being thankful. Yet for now, I can only feel saddened.

My book 'MY MOM MY HERO' is for all the special people in your lives. Over 100 great reviews. Available on Amazon & Kindle worldwide:

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Lisa Hirsch
lisaweekend@yahoo.com