Alzheimer's Day
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 21 2014:
Department of Psychiatry, Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences, National Alliance for Elder's People Livelihood Research Advocacy and Chronic Diseases of India and ARDSI Manipur Chapter jointly observed World Alzheimer's Day at JNIMS conference hall today.
MOBC and Science and Technology Parliamentary Secretary Md Amin Shah, JNIMS Director Prof M Shyamo, JNIMS Medical Superintendent Prof W Gopimohon, JNIMS Department of Psychiatry Prof S Gyaneshwor, NAEPLRA, Chronic Diseases of India and ARDSI Manipur Chapter Chairperson RK Nayansana and MU's Social Science Dean Prof Ksh Bimola graced the function as chief guest, president and guests of honour respectively.
The observance was held under the theme, 'Dementia, can we reduce the risk ?' .
In her keynote address, NAEPLRA Chronic Diseases of India and ARDSI Manipur Chapter Vice-President Dr K Shantibala said that Alzheimer mostly affects elderly persons who are in the age group of 60 to 65 years, due to weakening of brain functions and memory loss.
She said that World Health Organisation (WHO) started observing the day in 1994 .
Dr Shantibala urged the gathering to consult doctors and take care of their elderly parents if they start showing signs of memory loss.
Saying that Alzheimer is more vulnerable to elderly women, Shantibala said that one person is diagnosed with the disorder every four seconds in the world.
Informing that Alzheimer is not curable, Dr Shantibala said that an Alzheimer patient can live up to eight years if proper care is given.
Saying that there are around 44 million Alzheimer patients in the world, Dr Shantibala said that this figure would reach 76 million in 2030 and 135 million in 2050 .