Making difference to work with Dementia & Alzheimer's

Sailesh Mishra gave up his well paid marketing job in the corporate sector in 2004 to work full-time in the area of elder care, Alzheimer’s and development of less fortunate children. He is based in Mumbai. Because of his passion to work with elders he has started a social enterprise, Silver Innings, and later formed an NGO called Silver Inning Foundation, and also began a forum called People for Social Cause. Sailesh is actively involved with ARDSI and is Founder Sec. of ARDSI Greater Mumbai Chapter. He is also a consultant and advisor to other NGOs.

Sailesh utilizes his marketing and PR skill to market the issues of our elders through various forums and ICT /social Media. In this way he tries to reach the young and the old to sensitize and empower civil society with regards to elder care. As he works in elder care, he is very concerned about dementia and conducts regular awareness programs for it. He describes some of his experiences in the interview below.

For whom do you conduct these awareness programs?

Every year, in September, we go in for highly visible programs for a week to coincide with the World Alzheimer’s Day function. But this is not enough for the “Fight against Dementia.”

In addition to that, we try to arrange programs all through the year at various locations over Mumbai. Our target audience is mainly the elderly and their family members.

To effectively reach this audience, we work through local associations that have a sizable number of senior citizens, such as senior citizen clubs, bhajan mandals, and mahila samitis. Many of these associations are part of FESCOM (Federation of Maharashtra Senior Citizens), and our organization, Silver Inning Foundation, is also a member of this federation.

Many associations are very active and meet every week or every month. We volunteer to come for these meetings and present topics related to the elderly. We get audiences that range from 20 persons to as many as 120 persons.

Please describe the structure of your program.

Typically, our program spreads over two hours.

We use the first hour for an interesting audio-visual presentation where we explain Alzheimer’s and dementia to the audience. This includes showing them the excellent story prepared by Dr. Samuel which describes a case of an old lady who starts showing the symptoms of dementia.

The next hour is reserved for audience questions. If some of the persons present are interested, we also conduct a mini-screening for them. We also distribute reading material to the audience, and set up any further meetings for those who want them.

What are your observations regarding awareness of dementia?

The programs confirm the fact that awareness of dementia and Alzheimer’s is very low in India.

Some people do not understand what “Alzheimer’s” is. Given that the name does not sound Indian, they think that this is some problem/ disease found only in the Western countries and has nothing to do with India. Many have never even heard the name.

On the other hand, there are others who think that this is something really horrible, worse than AIDS, and they are very frightened of the name. Such people even hesitate to attend the talks. You know that there is stigma attached to anything people consider a mental disease.

Poor awareness is very unfortunate, because awareness is essential for early diagnosis, and this lack of awareness delays any help the patient or family can get.

As our focus is to reach out to as many elders as possible, we present dementia in the context of topics that concern elders, so that the audience is able to understand and participate effectively.

When you explain dementia to an audience of the elderly, do some of them get concerned that they may have dementia?

Yes, this is a common issue we address.

Everyone occasionally forgets things. Many members of the audience are concerned about whether their memory loss is a sign of dementia. We explain the difference between the memory loss that is normal, and the memory loss that is indicative of dementia. For example, many of us misplace our keys, but we are able to remember later where we put them, and such forgetting is normal. The memory loss found in dementia is more severe and affects the ability to do things. It is the behaviours and personality changes that make the situation worse.

While explaining the various warning signs of dementia, we also emphasize that we are not doctors. Our role in these programs is to spread awareness, and not to diagnose whether or not a member of the audience (or their relative) has dementia. Definitely, we are not authorised to label someone as a dementia patient. For people facing problems, we encourage them to contact the nearest psychiatrist if they (or their family members) display any of the symptoms we have discussed.

We are very clear that no one should assume that someone has dementia and “label” a person as a patient without proper diagnosis. We suggest that people consult a doctor, and maybe take a second opinion, to get a diagnosis. We have with us an area-wise list of Mumbai psychiatrists that people can use, depending on the locality where they stay.

We also caution people from consulting too many doctors, or changing doctors in the hope that there will be a cure. There is no cure for dementia.

How does the audience respond to the fact that there is no cure for dementia?

Most of our audience is in the age-group of 60 to 70, and when they hear dementia described, and also hear that there is no cure, this can be very frightening for them. In fact, we have seen many families even ignoring the problem. They don’t give medicine as it does not help, and many of them want to put the person with dementia into an old age home.

So they ask: how can dementia be prevented?

While there is no definitive way to prevent dementia, there are things that elders can do to remain active and healthy. We explain many such ways to the audience. Here are some of the suggestions we make:

* Do activities that keep the mind active, such as the puzzles and crosswords that come in the newspapers
* Continue to do things that you did earlier, before retirement. For example, if you were an accountant, continue to maintain your home accounts
* Do volunteer work to remain active and useful, and to meet people
* Have an active social life
* Maintain your health by exercise and healthy food habits

One very important way of stimulating the mind is to do something that is different from what one is used to doing. For example, if someone drinks tea every morning, that person can drink nimbu pani on a few days instead, or have coffee. If someone is used to climbing by putting the right foot on the step, he/ she can try using the left foot first instead. We also teach many small exercises, such as rubbing hands, to stimulate the brain. We also describe alternate therapies that elders find useful, such as music therapy, and reflexology. There are many such tips, and I suggest you attend a meeting to hear more about them. In fact, people are interested in music therapy specially the Indian spiritual one.

What are the other common concerns you encounter?

In some cases, some members of the audience already have a patient at home. Their questions are related on how to handle challenging behaviour. Common examples of behaviours that stress family members are when a patient repeatedly insists that he/ she wants to go to the toilet, or keeps asking the same question again and again.

We explain various caregiving methods for communication and for handling difficult behaviour.

One thing we make sure we tell people is that love and care is the only medicine for the person and the family. Also we try to explain to them that there is life after Alzheimer’s–because people can still sing, dance and enjoy life. This positive side was explained to us by Prof Cathy Greenblat.

You had mentioned that you also distribute material to the audience. Could you tell us about that?

Yes, we distribute material and also do various follow-up. Our awareness programs are not just talking about dementia for a couple of hours; we see our role as resource persons in this area.

The booklet we distribute explains the ten warning signs of dementia and has Mumbai specific resources, such as helpline numbers, and other resources that people may find useful.

In fact, in the next few months, we are launching India’s first Elder Resources Director – ‘Mapping Of Services’ for Elders for Mumbai MMRDA area. This will be a boon for many Senior Citizens and their family members.

Sometimes we also coordinate with other concerned organizations so that a one-minute screening is made available as part of the awareness program. While this is not sufficient or rigourous enough for a diagnosis, it helps the audience get a better understanding of what dementia symptoms are, and to decide whether to go to a doctor.

We also have a list of psychiatrists for each area that people can use to identify the doctor to consult.

Sometimes, some of the audience members are not comfortable talking to us in front of others. In case they want to discuss more about their specific concerns (or concerns related to someone else at home) we also do follow-up home-visits at a nominal cost.

One major need people have is that of trained attendants for patients at home. While we are not in a position to provide such attendants, we do give people the contact for various bureaus in Mumbai that supply attendants.

We also offer to train family members and attendants on caregiving for dementia patients.

We hope that with such programs, awareness of dementia will increase and people will be able to get diagnosed earlier and get help for both the patients and their families.

Silver Innings is working towards creating Elder Friendly World where Ageing becomes a Positive and Rewarding Experience.

Thank you, Sailesh.

Sailesh can be contacted at his e-mail:silverinnings@gmail.com and via Silver Innings and through his forum, People for Social Cause Blog (links: http://peopleforsocialcause.blogspot.com and http://silverinnings.blogspot.com/ ). He can also be approached via Facebook and Twitter.


By Swapna Kishore

Source: http://dementia-care-notes.in/sailesh-interview/

THE TIES THAT BIND: GRANDMOTHERS SEEN AS BEDROCK OF CARING, NEW NATIONWIDE SURVEY

Nana Occasionally Spoils, Crosses Swords with Parents, Americans Say


SUMMER SHADE, Kentucky (Dec. 9, 2009) – As extended families gather for the holidays, what do Americans really think of grandma?

Overwhelmingly, they perceive her as caring – and just as overwhelmingly, they reject any characterization of the grandmother/grandchild relationship as “distant.” At the same time, they acknowledge that nana is prone to spoiling her grandchildren and admit that parents and grandparents don’t always see eye to eye.

Those are the principal findings of a new nationwide survey conducted in late November by TheNanaBlogs (www.thenanablogs.com), the definitive resource for the “Nana Generation.” In association with Chicago market researcher Synovate, TheNanaBlogs asked 1,000 Americans, a cross-section of the population: ““Which of the following describes a typical grandmother/grandchild relationship?”

Here’s the high-level breakdown among total respondents:
o Cares deeply about the grandchild - 81 percent
o Spoils the grandchild – 56 percent
o Disagrees with the parent from time to time about child issues – 40 percent
o Favors one grandchild over another – 8.5 percent
o Distant from the child – 3 percent
o None of these – 7 percent

TheNanaBlogs is a creation of Teresa Bell Kindred, a retired high school history teacher, author, magazine columnist, 53- year-old mom of five and proud nana of one granddaughter (featured in her nanablog, www.NanaHood.com).

While “caring deeply” was the top choice across all age brackets, younger respondents weren’t quite as gung-ho as their elders – in a sense, reflecting a perception gap between grandchildren and grandparents. Some 87 percent of those 65 and over selected “caring” as their top choice, but just 77 percent of those 18-24 did so – the lowest among all age groups.

Men and women cited “caring” in equal numbers (81 percent) but marital status proved a point of departure: 84 percent of married respondents opted for the “caring” option, against 78 percent of unmarrieds. Interestingly, among households with children, more households without children referenced “caring” (82 percent) than those with (80.5 percent).

On a regional basis, perceptions of caring were highest in the Midwest (83.5 percent) and lowest in the West (76 percent). All income groups held at around 83 percent, save those earning less than $25K, at 75 percent – perhaps indicative of a younger population (grandchildren themselves).

“These findings are heartening but they’re also instructive,” Kindred said. “While our survey affirms that grandmothers and their grandchildren are close emotionally, many don’t see each other as often as they’d like – certainly not as often as nanas would like. Thankfully, it’s easier than ever for families to communicate via technology… and it’s incumbent upon grandparents to get comfortable with social networks. That’s where our grandchildren play, and we ought to connect with them every chance we get.”

Caring Taken to Extremes?

If spoiling isn’t exactly caring taken to extremes, it did prove the second most popular perception. Men were slightly more likely to cite “spoiling” than women (57 percent to 55 percent). Moving up the age scale, the grandparents’ bracket (65+) was least likely by far to name spoiling (just 49 percent) while the ostensible witnesses to nana’s indulgence (those aged 18-24 and 25-34) referenced it in big numbers -- 60.5 percent and 64 percent, respectively.

Does spoiling fill an income gap? TheNanaBlogs survey revealed wide variation based on employment status: 60 percent of those employed fulltime cited “spoiling,” against 45 percent of part-time workers and 49 percent of retirees. Those in the middle of the income spectrum referenced spoiling more than those at the top and bottom (60 percent vs. 54 percent).

Among the survey’s other findings:

o Who’s the Boss? In terms of generational conflict, the study exposed a small gender gap – 38 percent by men, 42 percent by women – and a much wider variation based on age. Perhaps suggesting that disputes are in the eye of the beholder, those aged 25-34 were least likely to see nanas and parents at odds (31 percent), the sandwich generation most likely (45 percent), and those 65 and over mostly in the middle, at 41.5 percent. Grandparental conflict appears to be more of an issue in the Midwest (45 percent) and relatively less so in the Northeast (35.5 percent). Similarly, it’s a bigger concern with whites than nonwhites (42 percent to 32 percent).

o Playing Favorites. On the matter of “nana likes you best,” the genders split a bit – 10 percent of men agreed, against 7 percent of women. Once again, age matters: 12 percent of the youngest respondents cited favoritism, versus 6 percent of those 45-54 and 7 percent of those 65 and up. In a possible allusion to the tribulations of divorce, twice as many of those who aren’t married saw nana doting on one grandkid more than others (12 percent, to 6 percent of marrieds). That difference applied to nonwhites (13 percent, to 7 percent of whites) and to the unemployed (15 percent -- nearly twice the rest of the population).

TheNanaBlogs.com/Synovate survey has a margin of error of +/- 3 percent. For a full copy of the survey results and a graphic presentation of top-line data, email info@edgecommunicationsinc.com.

About TheNanaBlogs
TheNanaBlogs.com is a new site dedicated to turning nanas, grandmas, memas (and moms) into bloggers. The site provides them with the space and the technology to begin blogging. Nanablogs offer grandparents a voice, a place to share thoughts, a place to brag about grandkids – and a new way to connect with family. Like its sister site, NanaHood.com, TheNanaBlogs.com is a creation of Teresa Bell Kindred. Teresa is a wife, mom, author, and proud nanablogger. Sign up now to get started.


Media contact:
Ken Greenberg
Edge Communications, Inc.
818/990-5001
ken@edgecommunicationsinc.com


Courtesy:
www.TheNanaBlogs.com

In Kanpur, the elderly extend helping hands to young brains

They are an unusual group of 17 pensioners. Instead of looking for help and support, they go looking for bright students in need of help and then support them financially to fulfill their dreams.


Since 2001 the All India Organisation of Pensioners (AIOP) has helped as many as 77 students.


Seventeen students funded by them have either completed BTech or are pursuing it.


Last week, when Gaurav Nigam, who did BTech from IIT-Kanpur, got a job with Verizon Communications at Chennai, the group had a special reason to celebrate. Gaurav is the their first student who has got a job.


At the age of 13, Gaurav had lost his father. With the support of the group, he continued his studies. In Class X, he ranked 17th in the state and in Class XII, he improved his ranking to 13. Later, Gaurav cleared the IIT-JEE and got admission in the IIT-Kanpur.


Talking to The Indian Express over phone from Chennai, Gaurav said: “I owe my success to AIOP. My mother is a homemaker and after my father’s death the family was dependent on his pension fund. I can never forget the manner in which the AIOP members helped me at every stage.”


One of the first things that Gaurav did after getting the job was to contact the members of AIOP and offered them help in their effort.


Though the group has been in existence since 1969, it has only 17 active members. In 2001, it decided to introduce a students’ welfare scheme. The scheme’s priority is to help meritorious students of economically deprived upper caste families. The AIOP says there are several schemes for such students from SC and ST communities, but few for the upper castes. The finance secretary of the group, Saraswati Dayal Srivastava, said: “We have helped a Muslim girl and a Yadav boy, both brilliant students, who faced financial crisis. But our main objective is to help meritorious students from needy upper caste families.” In 2001, when the scheme was launched, seven students were selected for the scholarship and Rs 10,000 was given to them. This year, the number of beneficiaries reached 22 and the scholarship amount touched Rs 2 lakh.


“The students we supported have never disappointed us,” said M L Gupta, former joint commissioner, Income Tax.


The organisation provides a scholarship of Rs 600 per month till Class VIII and Rs 1,000 for students of Class IX to XII. Those who get selected in reputed institutes for higher studies are given up to Rs 2,000 per month. Besides, students are given financial assistance for competitive exams.


Most of the money comes from contributions made by the members but it is not enough. “We seek donations, or request the educational institution for help,” said Srivastava. The group now plans to spread outside Kanpur.


About the procedure to identify the students, Srivastava said: “We visit schools and collect information about meritorious students from deprived families and examine their academic record. We meet their families to see their financial status. Only then we give the scholarship.”


Ashish Agarwal, who cleared IIT-JEE this year and got admission in IIT-K, lives in a one-room house. His father Ram Agarwal works at a shop and gets Rs 3,500 per month. The AIOP spotted him and started providing a scholarship to him in 2005. “It’s a dream come true. I never thought my son will ever go to IIT-K,” said Ram Agarwal.


Source:
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/in-kanpur-the-elderly-extend-helping-hands-to-young-brains/506207/0

New contact details of Silver Inning Foundation

Dear Friends,
Please note new contact details of Silver Inning Foundation ,NGO for Senior Citizens.



Silver Inning Foundation
4th Floor, Candelar Building,
26 St. John Baptist Road,
Above Dilshad Salon,
Near Mount Mary Steps,
Bandra (W),
Mumbai 400 050,
India

Telephone: 09987104233 (Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm).

Email:silverinnings@gmail.com ; info@silverinnings.com
Website: www.silverinnings.com

Useful / Important Links on Ageing

Silver Innings
A comprehensive and dedicated Website for Elderly. Providing need base service, networking and advocacy for Senior Citizens forms important aspect of Silver Innings. Silver Innings is working towards creating Elder Friendly World where Ageing becomes a Positive and Rewarding Experience.
www.silverinnings.com


International Federation on Ageing (IFA)
The International Federation on Ageing (IFA) is a non-government organization with a membership base of NGOs, the corporate sector, academia, government and individuals.
They believe in ‘generating positive change for older people throughout the world by stimulating, collecting, analyzing and disseminating information on rights, policies and practices that improve quality of life of all persons as they age.’
http://www.ifa-fiv.org/


UN programme on Ageing
The UN Programme on Ageing is part of the Division for Social Policy and Development (DSPD), United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA).It is the focal point within the United Nations system on matters related to ageing. As the focal point, its primary action is to facilitate and promote the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, including designing guidelines for policy development and implementation; advocating means to mainstream ageing issues into development agendas; engaging in dialogue with civil society and the private sector; and information exchange.
http://www.un.org/ageing/


Global Action on Aging
Global Action on Aging (GAA), a non-profit organization with special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council, was founded in 1994.
GAA carries out research on critical emerging topics and publishes the results on its website. GAA staff and interns research aging policy and programs, both in the US and worldwide: income support, health access, and human rights. Interns post their research daily to our website, www.globalaging.org, one of the largest in the aging field. GAA posts materials in all six UN official languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish. It monitors United Nation activity on aging through the "Aging Watch at the UN" web-section and documents the situation of older persons caught in armed conflict.
http://www.globalaging.org/

Helpage India
HelpAge India is secular, not-for-profit organization registered under the Societies' Registration Act of 1860. We were set up in 1978, and since then have been raising resources to protect the rights of India’s elderly and provide relief to them through various interventions.
http://www.helpageindia.org/

Silver Innings Newsletter: October 2008

“Growing old is part of life.It’s one of those inevitable things that you just have to deal with.

Graying hair, wrinkles, aching limbs, children moving out of the house, retirement…

There’s a lot of things that go along with getting old.But you don’t have to face it like doomsday.

Just like anything, you can face it with grace.’’

Dear Friends,

Happy Diwali and Happy New Year from Silver Inning Foundation.

It’s our pleasure to bring to you the update of your website Silver Innings. Below are new articles posted on various sections in October 2008, to read more you need to visit particular menu on the website www.silverinnings.com or the Link under each article.Hope you enjoy this and send us your feedback at info@silverinnings.com .

We also invite articles of interest, inspiring short stories, jokes, reviews, etc. Please note publication is sole decision of web master and as per rules laid down by Silver Innings.

SILVER PERSONALITY OF THE MONTH - October 2008

Prem Sagar Relli: Exploring Second Innings

Link: http://www.silverinnings.com/Silver%20Personality%20of%20the%20month.html

Ageing:

International

Ageism in America

Living and Caring? An Investigation of the Experiences of Older Carers

Health Care Voucher Scheme for the Elderly

New Plan for Seniors Outlined

International Year of Older Persons

Link: http://www.silverinnings.com/International.html

Fact and Issues

Census of India - Household with aged person

Census Reference Tables: Total Population of India

Census of India – Broad Age Group

Census of India Martial status

Link: http://www.silverinnings.com/Facts%20n%20Issues.html

Health/ Fitness

Physical

10 Ways to Improve Your Life With Arthritis

Link: http://www.silverinnings.com/Physical%20Fitness.html

Mental

Vitamin 'may prevent memory loss'

Pain Is Common in Parkinson's Disease

Link: http://www.silverinnings.com/Mental%20Fitness.html

Dementia & Alzheimer’s

Cultural Differences In Attitudes Towards Caring For People With Dementia

DEMENTIA IN THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION: THE EPIDEMIC IS HERE

Active Social Life May Reduce Men's Alzheimer's Risk

Combining Alzheimer’s Drugs May Offer Sustained Benefits

Link: http://www.silverinnings.com/Alzheimer%20n%20Dementia.html

Diet

Brain Food: What to Eat to Boost Your Brain Power

Link: http://www.silverinnings.com/Diet.html

Lifestyle

10 Ways to Fight Fatigue

To Live Longer, Article in French

Link: http://www.silverinnings.com/lifestyle.html

Finance

Insurance

HEALTH INSURANCE OF SENIOR CITIZENS

Link: http://www.silverinnings.com/Insurance.html

Pension

Don't Privatize Social Security

Link: http://www.silverinnings.com/Pension.html

Elder Law

Other Laws

SC: right to property now a human right

Link: http://www.silverinnings.com/Elder%20laws%20Others.html

Relationship

Parents and Grandparents

10 Steps to Increase Your Parent’s Mental Agility and Memory

Ten Reasons Why Your Parent May Not Be Eating Properly

THE WORRIES ADULT CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS EXPERIENCE FOR ONE ANOTHER

What To Do If Your Aging Parent Refuses To Go To The Doctor

Link: http://www.silverinnings.com/parents%20n%20grandparents.html

Grandchildren and Children

How To Connect With Kids By Volunteering At School/Daycare

Link: http://www.silverinnings.com/grandchildren%20n%20children.html

Directory (News additions)

Link : http://www.silverinnings.com/Directory%20sublink.html

Hobbies and Activities

Activities

Finland keeps its retiree active, Article in French

Emergency Preparedness for Older People

Link: http://www.silverinnings.com/Activities.html

Amusement

Jokes: http://www.silverinnings.com/jokes.html

Books: http://www.silverinnings.com/books.html

Products for Elderly

Link: http://www.silverinnings.com/links%20for%20products.html

Old Age Homes

Architecture

Ergonomics for the Aging Population

Ergonomics and the Elderly

Ergonomics for the elderly

Top 10 Ergonomic Needs for the Aging

Link: http://www.silverinnings.com/Architecture.html

News and Event

Articles

Alzheimer’s Europe August 2008 News letter

Article about Caregivers in DNA Newspaper

Article about World Alzheimer’s Day in DNA West coast

CONCESSIONS AND FACILITIES GIVEN TO SENIOR CITIZENS, Article by M.V.Ruparelia

Article about Abuse of Senior Citizens in Hindi Film

Global Alzheimer’s disease Charter

Article about World Elders Day in Hindustan Times

Article about Computer Education course in Hindustan Times

Article about World Alzheimer’s Day in Hindustan Times

Life is like that! , Article by M.V.Ruparelia

Growing need for Dementia Day care center article in DNA

Design for All newsletter September 2008

Letter of objection for Elder abuse for ‘Sing is Kinngh’ Film

So Is it Respect for 'the Aged,' 'the Elderly' or 'the Seniors'?

Town to Provide Free Health Care for Elderly

World Alzheimer's Awareness Week 2008

‘Umang’ World Elders Day 2008 Report

World's First End-Of-Life Research Institute to Be Built in UK

Link: http://www.silverinnings.com/Articles.html

Thanks for giving your valuable time, see you soon with next update.

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