Date:22/08/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/08/22/stories/2006082217960200.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Care for Alzheimer's patients lacking

Special Correspondent

Bangalore: It can happen to anyone, say medical experts. But the aged are more prone to it. It is 100 years since the Alzheimer's disease was identified and an event to mark this has been planned here on September 21.

"It will be observed across the world as Alzheimer's Day. The Bangalore Chapter of Alzheimer's and Related Disorders Society of India has just been reactivated and will work to help those afflicted by this disorder," says Radha S. Murthy, president of the chapter.

About 32 lakh people in India may be affected and it could be close to 30,000 in Bangalore alone, says Dr. Murthy. "Because of the stigma attached to any disorder of the brain, many people hide the fact that a parent or grandparent may be suffering from it," she says.

Like some other similar ailments, it is caused by malfunctioning of the neurons in the brain and in severe cases the neurons may have died altogether.

What agitates the ARDSI is that effective care systems for the afflicted are lacking in India. Many families may find it difficult to cope with a person whose mood swings and forgetfulness can go to extreme limits.

"Some elderly persons may even forget that they have eaten and demand lunch again.

"They cannot be left alone as they may go wandering, forget where they are and cannot remember their own address. Some may become paranoid and suspicious even about their close ones," says Dr. Murthy.

Extreme cases end up as "senile dementia" where looking after the afflicted person becomes a full time work for those specially trained for it.