World Alzheimer’s Day observed at DMCH

Ludhiana, September 21, 2022: Department of Psychiatry, DMCH observed World Alzheimer's Day today. This year’s theme is “Know Dementia, Know Alzheimer’s”. This theme continues on from the 2021 campaign, which focused on diagnosis, the warning signs of dementia, the continued effect of COVID-19 on the global dementia community and more. In 2022, the focus would be on post diagnostic support.
 
Alzheimer's is a brain disease that causes a slow decline in memory, thinking and reasoning skills along with other behavioural symptoms. Symptoms could be memory loss, challenging in solving problems, difficulty completing daily tasks, confusion with time, changes in mood and personality, misplacing things etc.
 
Secretary, DMCH Managing society, Sh Prem Gupta, in his message said that DMCH, as a premiere medical institution of the region has been taking extremely good care in treatment of the patients as well as awareness for the general public.
 
Dr Ranjive Mahajan, Prof & Head, Dept of Psychiatry, DMCH said that there is a stigma around Alzhimers which needs to be addressed. He also said that people with Alzheimer also face the problem in daily routine activities and it also has an impact on thinking and reasoning, in making judgements and decisions, planning and performing daily tasks, it brings change in personality and behavior of the person. Unhealthy lifestyle including consuming alcohol, unhealthy eating habits & smoking, diabetes, hypertension and depression leads to Dementia.
 
Dr Navkiran S Mahajan, Professor, Department of Psychiatry, gave a few tips to reduce the risk. She said BP, Diabetes, cholesterol, obesity should be monitored regularly. A person should be physically active and should follow a healthy diet. Also mind engaging activities like learning a new language, solving puzzles and games should be included in day-to-day activities.
 
This day is an opportunity for people and organizations to come together and   demonstrate how we can help people live well with dementia, support them and remove the fear of stigmatization.