World Alzheimer's Day 2009 at Bangalore

World Alzheimer’s Day 2009, was observed in Bangalore on September 21, 2009, in a function jointly conducted by ARDSI Bangalore Chapter, Deutsche Bank, and Nightingales Medical Trust.

As part of the function, more than 250 volunteers, patients, caregivers participated in a ‘Memory Walk’ from Lalbagh to Nightingales Dementia Day Care Centre at Richmond Town, carrying placards with messages to create awareness on the disease. The walk was flagged off by actor Chandrashekar and two other Alzheimer patients.

The theme of this year’s Alzheimer’s Day was “Diagnosing Dementia: See it Sooner”, and emphasised the need for the early diagnosis of dementia.

Extending support from the Government, Dr Mohan Raj, Additional Director, Department of Health and Family Welfare, assured that the Government will take these diseases more seriously and extend all possible support to make the lives of the patients affected with dementia, better.

An interactive session for caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients was subsequently held at Sandhya Kirana. Experts in Dementia, Dr. Rathnavalli (Manipal Hospital), Dr. Mathew Varghese (NIMHANS), and Dr. S. K. Shankar (Project Co-ordinator, HBTR - Brain Bank) answered the questions of the assembled caregivers, volunteers from corporates, students, and socially conscious elders.

A special feature this year was the pledging of brains. This year, ARDSI Bangalore Chapter wanted to focus on the research and cure of Alzheimer, hence they contacted families of dementia patients and talked to them about the need for brain donation. As a result, three caregivers took a significant step on the World Alzheimer's Day by pledging the brains of their loved ones to Brain Bank at NIMHANS to promote research on the disease.

The function received wide coverage in local papers.

Bangalore Mirror: Not enough brain tissue.

Deccan Herald: Caregivers pledge brains of their loved ones.

The Hindu: Memory Walk marks Alzheimer’s Day

Times of India: Alzheimers day round up.

Indian Express: City observes World Alzheimer's Day.