Coimbatore Chapter of Alzheimer's and Related Disorder Society of India(ARDSI) has been conducting Dementia Screening Camps in Old Age Homes, in and around Coimbatore, to mark the World Alzheimer's Day, which falls on Sept 21 every year.
To that end, the Masters of Social Work (Medical and Psychiatry)- MSW post-graduate students of Hindustan College of Arts and Sciences were trained at Vazhikatti Mental Health Centre, Coimbatore, in the use of Community Screening Instrument for Dementia, on Sept 17.
Mental Health professional (Social work) team of Vazhikatti Mental HealthCentre, along with Trained and selected MSW Students of Hindustan College conducted the free Dementia Screening camps at Sree Anbalayam Charitable Trust at Madhampatti, Happy Homes Trust at Kovaipudhur and Brindhavan Palm Grove at Vadavalli on Sepy 17, 19 and 20.
It has been planned to survey about 1000 inmates in various Old Age homes to assess the gravity of the problem.The local chapter is also launching a FaceBook page, on the World Alzheimer's Day, to create awareness about Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease.
The chapter has plans to educate the caregivers about a range of services that are available to persons suffering from Dementia and to their family members, said Dr D Srinivasan, president, and Dr.K Selvaraj, Founder & Patron - ARDSI, Coimbatore Chapter.