Dementia is a problem that affects about 368,320 people in the United States, so imagine the impact of this disease on countries with a much higher population. An article published in Calcutta, India’s The Telegraph, titled “Day Care Debut for Dementia Patients,” describes one method being using to help caregivers cope in a city that has 50,000 individuals affected by dementia alone.
Calcutta’s chapter of the Dignity Foundation, located in Mumbai, announced the opening of the city’s first Dementia Day Care Center with fervent support from popular actor Sabyasachi Chakraborty. Chakraborty promised to aid in “every way possible to spread the news and assist the project”.
The day care center is an attempt by the Dignity Foundation to bring attention to dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, which have been misunderstood in the past, leading to patients being locked up or considered insane. The Dementia Day Care Center will also provide Calcutta residents, many of whom work the 16+ hour days that are the norm in India, with a place that will provide a safety, medical support, and mental and physical stimulation for their older loved ones.
The day care will feature staff specially trained by the Dementia Care Center in Mumbai, as well as guest-friendly features such as meditation, memory exercises, yoga, and activities like knitting. Says the Center’s supervisor, Alpana Das, “Our aim is to keep the clients busy all day, so that they feel sleepy at night.”
Dignity Foundation, aside from founding Dementia Day Care Centers, is also an advocate for seniors in India and provides many services including career counseling. For more information, please check out the following links:
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