Regarding World Alzheimer's Day
Dr. Priyamvada Muddapur
We are pleased to introduce ourselves as the Bangalore Chapter of Alzheimer's & Related Disorders Society of India (ARDSI), a registered non-profit organization dedicated to care, training and research on Alzheimer's.
Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia among the elderly. Today in India 3.2 million people are affected. But, as in developed counties, effective care systems for dementia is woefully lacking. In Bangalore where the number of dementia patients is estimated to be more than 30,000, there is no support systems to take care of them.
The awareness about dementia is lacking among our people. Moreover, a social stigma is attached to it. In India, mostly the family members have to take the full burden of caring the patients. Professional caregivers are difficult to find and institutional care support systems are also woefully lacking.
The Bangalore Chapter of ARDSI is striving to create the necessary awareness and build appropriate care systems for the patients and caregivers.
Every year 21st September is observed as the World Alzheimer’s Day. In Bangalore, to mark World Alzheimer’s Day we organize Memory Walk called "Walk of the confused Minds" to create awareness of the disease. The event will mobilize large number of Alzheimer’s patients, their caregivers, elders, youngsters and socially conscious public. The walk will begin from the Lal Bagh Gate (facing Double Road) and will terminate at Sandhya Kirana at 9 a.m. on Monday, the 21st September 2009. Eminent politicians and upcoming Actress, Ms. Ramya are gracing the occasion.
To make this event more meaningful and spread the awareness on Alzheimer's disease among a wider section of society and students in particular, we are encouraging volunteers to participate in huge numbers. The volunteers' role in understanding and spreading the information on dementia care would be very significant and long lasting. This will promote social consciousness about elder care issues among the people from all walks of life.
The event would provide excellent opportunity for volunteers to involve in a social cause and get sensitized to elders' issues and become aware about their responsibilities to elders in their homes and neighborhood Yours being an institution committed to encouraging social consciousness, we look to you for the active involvement in the Walk. May we very earnestly request you to depute volunteers from your organization to participate in the walk.
Your acceptance may please be confirmed preferably before Wednesday, *16th September*. Detailed program list is attached for your kind perusal.
Thanking you and with kind regards,
Dr. Priyamvada
Convener
41248448 or 41248449