Assisting Alzheimer’s

"It always helps to know that there are others around having the same kind of problems and how they are tackling them. We can also learn from the mistakes that others may have made,” related Hufriz Wadia who has benefited from the Alzheimer’s Support Group started by the Youth Wing of the World Zoroastrian Organisation (WZO) India. "A qualified consultant — who can be a neurologist/neurosurgeon, psychologist/psychiatrist, or even a social worker — is at hand to advise and help the carers (as the caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients are called) understand their patients better and handle the situation more effectively,” notes Aban Bana, in a write-up forwarded by Sarosh Bana, member (youth affairs) on the WZO executive board.

"The Youth Wing members knew of several people who have, or have had, a family member at home who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease... which occurs mostly in old age, wasting away the patient’s brain tissues and leading to a slow but sure death. Immediate symptoms are memory loss, spatial disorientation, waning control over bowel movements, increasing uninhibitedness and various other habits that can prove disturbing and even traumatizing for the patients and carers alike. Needless to say these patients require full-time attention and can be extremely trying and exhausting for the members of their family and household” who need a surplus of patience at such times, summed up Aban Bana.

For an hour and a half, the participants meet on alternate Tuesday evenings at the Lady Hirabai Cawasji Clinic at Gamadia Colony, Tardeo. Dr Roop Gursahani, a consultant neurophysician who is attached to the Hinduja Hospital is available for consultations during these sessions. While the doctor’s fees are financed by the Youth Wing and the premises of the Clinic are offered free thanks to the generosity of Arnavaz Khan and Dr Nelie Noble, a nominal fee of Rs 15 per participant is levied.

In the entire city of Bombay, there is not a single home for Alzheimer’s patients, reports Aban Bana, wondering if this is not the right time to start thinking of a place where they can be treated and well looked after. While the carers often do not have the heart to put the patients away in a hospital permanently, few may be able to afford the mounting expenses of engaging a full-time nurse or ward boy.

"We appeal to those amongst you who have an Alzheimer’s case in your family to join us to help one another to cope with it. The WZO Youth Wing can lead the way but it needs help from other Parsis,” writes Yasmin Davierwala who can be reached on 9821144794 or alzsupport@rediffmail.com. Sarosh Bana can be contacted on sarosh_bana@hotmail.com or Tel (O) 22883948 (R) 23679717.