Ardsi Guwahati Chapter

Compassionate Support for Seniors with Alzheimer's and Dementia in Guwahati

Ardsi Guwahati Chapter

Dedicated Care and Support for Senior Citizens with Alzheimer's and Dementia in Guwahati

ABOUT ARDSI

Helping Seniors with Dementia in Guwahati

The Alzheimer’s & Related Disorders Society of India (ARDSI), Guwahati Chapter is a non-government, non-profit making, apolitical organization committed to the care of senior citizens suffering from Alzheimer’s and related ailments, Dementia being the most frequent one. We are a registered Society affiliated to both the national and the international bodies.

The Alzheimer’s & Related Disorders Society of India (ARDSI), Guwahati Chapter was founded in August’2012 and was registered under the Societies registration Act.XXI of 1960 on 24th August’2012. The Guwahati Chapter is affiliated to both the National as well as the International body.

Since August 2012, the ARDSI Guwahati Chapter has been committed to providing care for seniors with Alzheimer's and dementia.

  • oxpins Helplines Counselling
  • oxpins Day Care Centers
  • oxpins Full-Time Care Centers
  • oxpins Training Programs

Our Mission

ARDSI Guwahati is dedicated to supporting and educating the sufferers, caretakers/ caregivers and the community in the identification and management of Alzheimer’s and related disorders. The focus shall be the need to enhance the quality of life of all those directly and indirectly affected by the debilitating effects of Alzheimer's

Our Vision

To develop high level awareness for the current and future Alzheimer's related issues amongst the Government, Medical Professionals, Corporate Bodies, Societies and individuals to assist in the management of the disease and the levels of support offered to those affected by it. To build a network of campuses which shall provide information, education, support and care for all Alzheimer's sufferers and those involved in managing the disease.

Dementia is the best known manifestation of Alzheimer’s and unfortunately neither treatment nor any medicine has as yet been found to cure this malaise which is a geriatric degeneration that usually occurs in people above the age of 65, though there have been some exceptions. It is progressive and a time comes when the patient lives in a world of his / her own totally oblivious to the surroundings or the family members. The most unfortunate part is that once a patient is afflicted with this disease, neither any medicine nor treatment can halt the progress of this disease, and the only recourse lies in giving succour to them through the services of trained care givers. The disease has been more widespread in recent years and unless some drastic measures are taken, India would earn the epitaph of being the Dementia Capital of the World by 2040 AD.

Our Objectives

  • To give support, provide help and information to families of persons affected by dementia.

  • To secure from the Governmental and non-governmental sources, better facilities for care, for and on behalf of, those affected by dementia.

  • To promote and support research into the causes and prevalence of dementia.

  • To encourage training of health personnel in the geriatric care and dementia.

  • To bring to the attention of various governmental agencies the needs of the demented, especially the Need to have dementia recognized as a handicap of the elderly, so that they are placed on par with people suffering from other such handicaps and to ensure that resources are reallocated in a more equitable manner.

  • To educate the general public about dementia through all available media.

  • To develop “help lines” to those who have to care for the demented by setting up help groups and by linking and creating networks of such support services to make them more productive and economical and to integrate them within the social and cultural milieu of India.

  • To perform works of charity and to render relief to victim of natural or other disasters such as famines, floods, epidemics, wars etc. irrespective of cast and creed.

  • To promote activities for awareness generation of the people of the society against environmental pollution.

  • To publish or cause to be published useful literatures, magazines, leaflets etc.

  • To provide guidance in legal matters to the demented and to intervene on their behalf wherever or whenever necessary or feasible.

  • To help the needy students of all communities for the prosecution of studies.

  • To provide incentive and encouragement to other voluntary associations and individuals engaged in research in Alzheimer’s and related disorders and in the care and management of the demented.

  • To open branch/branches in any District for the betterment of the societies with prior permission from the Registrar of Societies, Govt. of Assam.

  • To do all such things as are incidental or conductive to the attainment of the above objectives or any one of them.

The incomes and properties of the association whatsoever derived or obtained shall be applied solely towards the promotion of the objects of the association and no portion thereof shall be paid to or divided amongst any of its members by way of profits.

Frequently asked Questions

What is Alzheimer’s disease?

Alzheimer's (AHLZ-high-merz) disease is a progressive brain disorder that gradually destroys a person’s memory and ability to learn, reason, make judgments, communicate and carry out daily activities. As Alzheimer's progresses, individuals may also experience changes in personality and behaviour, such as anxiety, suspiciousness or agitation, as well as delusions or hallucinations.

The brain is perhaps the most awesome and complex example of divine engineering. In performance and ingenuity, it surpasses even the most powerful computer devised by mankind. Weighing between 1.3-1.4kg. and containing some 100 Billion neurons or nerve cells, it controls and determines who we are, what we do and how we do it.

What is Dementia?

Dementia is the progressive loss of the powers of the brain. The most common cause is Alzheimer's disease. Other kinds of dementia are vascular dementias (including multi infarct dementia), alcohol-related dementias, Lewy body dementia and Pick's disease. What all these diseases have in common is that they damage and kill brain cells, so that the brain cannot work as well as it should.

In India, approximately 3 million people have dementia. It is most common in older people but can affect people in their 40s or 50s or even younger.

What causes dementia?

We do not yet know exactly what causes dementia. Medical researchers all over the world are working to find causes and develop treatments.

Alzheimer's disease damages individual brain cells one by one, so that the brain can't work as well as it used to. A protein called amyloid builds up in deposits, called plaques, and tiny filaments in the brain cell form tangles. Much current research is trying to find out why these changes happen. Some kinds of Alzheimer's disease affecting people under 65 can be inherited. Faulty genes may cause the build up of the amyloid protein. Recent research seems to show that there may also be a genetic factor in other cases of Alzheimer's disease. However, this does not mean that someone whose parent had Alzheimer's will automatically develop the disease.

In the vascular dementias, there are problems with the blood supply to brain cells. For example, the most common type of vascular dementia is multi-infarct dementia, in which tiny strokes (infarcts) damage small areas of the brain.

What are the symptoms?

Every person with dementia is different. How their illness affects them depends on which areas of their brain are most damaged.

One of the most common symptoms of dementia is memory loss. It is important to remember that everyone forgets things sometimes. Most people's memory gets worse as they get older. But when someone has dementia, they may forget the names of family members, not just of strangers. They may burn pans because they have forgotten them or forget whether they have eaten lunch. They may repeat the same question again and again and not know they are doing it.

People with dementia may lose their sense of time, losing track of which day it is or of the time of day. They may lose track of where they are, and get lost even in a familiar place. They may fail to recognise people they know well.

People with dementia may often be confused. Their ability to think, to reason and to calculate can all be damaged. They may make odd decisions and find it hard to solve problems. Handling money may become difficult as they find it harder to work out their change or lose their sense of the value of money.

Dementia can also cause personality changes. Someone who was active and energetic may become listless, someone pleasant and well-mannered may become rude and aggressive. These changes can be particularly distressing to relatives and friends as they lose the person they knew.

Gradually, over a period of years, most functions of the brain will be affected. Eventually, people with dementia will probably need help with even simple daily activities, such as dressing, eating or going to the toilet.

What can the family do?

If someone develop dementia, their family will have to come to terms with the fact that he or she will not get better. It can help for them to have information, such as this leaflet, and to talk to someone about how they feel and what they can do. For example:

  • Share feelings with other members of the family or friends. Give them this leaflet and other information.
  • Tell the doctor about any changes.
  • Find out what services are available, for example form ARDSI. Try to get as much help as possible.
  • Talk to other people with dementia, families and carers who are facing similar problems.
  • Try to make life as full and enjoyable as possible. Both people with dementia and carers should try to get out and about and keep in contact with friends.
  • Don't just put up with new difficulties. Ask for information, help and advice to cope with problems.
  • What should someone do if they are worried?

    It is very important not to jump to conclusions. Confusion or forgetfulness does not mean someone has dementia. Many other conditions, such as infections, depression or the side effects of medicines can cause similar problems. If someone is worried, they should see a doctor. Psychiatrists or neurologists specialise in dementia.

    Dementia can only be diagnosed by ruling out other possible causes of the symptoms. This is why a full medical assessment is important.

    The good news is that treatments are becoming available which may help the symptoms of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease in some people, and research is progressing all the time.

    • Memory loss (forgets appointments, cannot recall recent events or conversations)

    • Disorientation (gets confused in unfamiliar places, does not know the time of the year, couldn't find his/her way home)

    • Difficulty in speaking (forgets the name of simple, well known objects, uses inappropriate words, repeats words and statements)

    • Loss of interest in hobbies and personal activities, avoids activities he/she used to enjoy.

    • Difficulty in recognizing friends, co-workers or family members (forgets who are grandchildren, thinks friends are strangers).

    • Difficulty in performing complex tasks (keep cheque book, count money, use the telephone).

    • Troublesome behaviour (socially inappropriate behaviour, going out in the night, aggressiveness).

    • Poor personal hygiene (forgets to brush teeth, dresses slowly or in inappropriate clothing, forgets to take bath).

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