Earlier diagnosis also has the potential to reduce the incidence of health and family emergencies as well as costly and inappropriate treatment by physicians who may not be sensitive to this problem.
Good communication between the carer, patient and the physician is vital but it takes a lot of time and effort. Efforts should be made to help families recognize dementia and seek help. At the same time the general practitioners and the medical officers at the grass root level should be sensitized to the diagnosis and management of the condition. Carers often develop individual strategies in coping up with problems, but they often do so in isolation. It is time that they come together, voice out their demands and work towards influencing health policy and developing dementia sensitive services for the country at large.
THE DEMENTIA SOCIETY OF GOA
The Dementia Society of Goa was established on 6 th June 2002, under the able leadership of Late Prof. K.J. Mahale, renowned educationist form Goa, and Dr. C. J. Vas, Neurologist, Goa Medical College, to help carers and people affected with dementia. Research had shown that Dementia was a public health problem, and not much was done as a result people with dementia were neglected and abused due to lack awareness. In a short span of time The Society has been recognised by the Alzheimer’s Disease International as an organization doing genuine work for people with dementia in Goa.
The activities of the Society are based on detailed research conducted in the Goan Community itself. The Society has launched an innovative project, supported by the WHO, called the Dementia: Home Care project which aims to empower the carers of people with dementia by helping them understand the disease, recognize stress signals and manage problem behaviors effectively. The project is directed by Dr. Vikram Patel and coordinated by Dr. Amit Dias. It is being conducted on a pilot basis in Bardez and Tiswadi and will be a role model for dementia services in the developing countries. The Society is also in the process of fundraising for the much-needed Alzheimer Home, which will have respite, day care and residential care facilities for people with dementia. The Gonçalves family of Brittona has donated their ancestral home for this purpose. The project is estimated to cost around Rs. 1.5 – 2 crores. The Society has conducted several workshops for carers and people involved with someone with dementia throughout the State, It also conducts a massive awareness rally on the 21st of September which is observed the world over as World Alzheimer’s Day.
Good communication between the carer, patient and the physician is vital but it takes a lot of time and effort. Efforts should be made to help families recognize dementia and seek help. At the same time the general practitioners and the medical officers at the grass root level should be sensitized to the diagnosis and management of the condition. Carers often develop individual strategies in coping up with problems, but they often do so in isolation. It is time that they come together, voice out their demands and work towards influencing health policy and developing dementia sensitive services for the country at large.
THE DEMENTIA SOCIETY OF GOA
The Dementia Society of Goa was established on 6 th June 2002, under the able leadership of Late Prof. K.J. Mahale, renowned educationist form Goa, and Dr. C. J. Vas, Neurologist, Goa Medical College, to help carers and people affected with dementia. Research had shown that Dementia was a public health problem, and not much was done as a result people with dementia were neglected and abused due to lack awareness. In a short span of time The Society has been recognised by the Alzheimer’s Disease International as an organization doing genuine work for people with dementia in Goa.
The activities of the Society are based on detailed research conducted in the Goan Community itself. The Society has launched an innovative project, supported by the WHO, called the Dementia: Home Care project which aims to empower the carers of people with dementia by helping them understand the disease, recognize stress signals and manage problem behaviors effectively. The project is directed by Dr. Vikram Patel and coordinated by Dr. Amit Dias. It is being conducted on a pilot basis in Bardez and Tiswadi and will be a role model for dementia services in the developing countries. The Society is also in the process of fundraising for the much-needed Alzheimer Home, which will have respite, day care and residential care facilities for people with dementia. The Gonçalves family of Brittona has donated their ancestral home for this purpose. The project is estimated to cost around Rs. 1.5 – 2 crores. The Society has conducted several workshops for carers and people involved with someone with dementia throughout the State, It also conducts a massive awareness rally on the 21st of September which is observed the world over as World Alzheimer’s Day.
