Mumbai: Gerontologists have highlighted the need of a school for senior citizens to help them fight dementia. More than 300 academicians, senior citizens and organisations from across the world participated in an international conference on ‘decoding dementia’ hosted by Dr. B.M. Nanavati College of Home Science in collaboration with M.M.P. Shah Women's College of Arts and Commerce as well as Aaji Care Sevak Foundation.
Focus on Schools for Senior Citizens
The one-day international conference titled ‘Decoding Dementia: Research, Sociological Approach and Pathways’, saw participation of 340 individuals from academic institutions as well as non-governmental organisations.
Psychiatrist Dr. Nilesh Shah emphasised on the need to start schools for senior citizens where different activities are conducted for them. He said that these schools should conduct physiotherapy sessions, digital literacy and some physical and brain related exercises for the elderly.
Experts and delegates at Mumbai’s ‘Decoding Dementia’ conference discuss strategies for senior citizen cognitive health | File Photo
Rising Dementia Cases in India
Prakash N. Borgaonkar, CEO of Aaji Care Sevak Foundation, said that currently 8.8 million senior citizens in India are suffering from Dementia and this number is going to reach 17 million by 2036. Similarly, the founder and director of Aaji Care Prasad Bhide reflected upon the role of caregiver in treating dementia and advised to hire caregivers from reliable agencies.
Role of Caregivers and Legal Obligations
Adv Nirmala Samant Prabhavalkar, former mayor of Mumbai, stressed on the legal obligation on children to take care of their parents under maintenance and welfare of parents and senior citizens act 2007, mental health act 2017 and rights of persons with disabilities act, 2016.
Experts and delegates at Mumbai’s ‘Decoding Dementia’ conference discuss strategies for senior citizen cognitive health | File Photo
Global Perspectives on Cognitive Ageing
Associate Professor with Kent University in the United States Manacy Pai, also joined the conference and focused on how life shapes cognitive ageing and explained how stress affects the brain through multiple biological mechanisms.
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She also highlighted relationships as cognitive assets and mentioned that there is a need to have community programs and care models beyond hospitals. Indian-American writer and researcher Prajakta Padgaonkar joined from the United States and shared various device details to support people suffering from Dementia.
