By Matters India Reporter
Chiang Mai, Sept 20, 2020: The Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) wants Churches in the region to create more communities that care for people suffering from dementia.
The ecumenical body made the call on the eve of the ‘World Alzheimer’s Day’ that falls on September 21.
In a special message issued by CCA general secretary Reverend Mathews George Chunakara wants the Asian Churches to encourage their local congregations take the initiative to create Alzheimer’s caregiver support groups.
“One of the first places many families and individuals often turn for help is to their nearby faith community, so it is important that faith based organizations at local levels be motivated and encouraged to extend help for persons living with Alzheimer’s,” Reverend Chunakara said. “The Church, as a community of faith, hope and love has to be an inclusive community where they will find peace, support, and safety,” he added.
Alzheimer’s, he explains, is the most common cause of dementia, a specific disease characterized by a progressive decline in cognitive function.
The ‘World Alzheimer’s Day’ is an occasion for the international campaign initiated by Alzheimer’s Disease International to raise awareness about the growing problems and the stigma surrounding Alzheimer’s and dementia, the Indian Church leader said.
The theme of this year’s World Alzheimer’s month campaign is: “Let’s talk about dementia.”
Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability affecting memory, other cognitive abilities and behavior that interferes significantly with a person’s ability to maintain their activities of daily living.
Although age is the strongest known risk factor for dementia, it is not merely ageing as such; a progressive disorder that causes degeneration of brain cells. The most common cause for progressive dementia among older adults could be due to several other disorders. Alzheimer’s disease is one of those disorders.
An estimated 35.6 million people now live with dementia worldwide — 58 percent in low and middle-income countries. By 2050, this figure is projected to reach 71 percent of the total. Dementia growth rates are expected to double in the coming 20 years in East and South Asia.
In most developed countries more than 70 percent people with dementia live in special homes or community care centers, with governments providing the care. In low income countries, they are attended by informal caregivers such as family members, relatives, friends and neighbors.
Women reportedly contribute 71 percent of the global hours of informal care for dementia affected people. Taking care of a dementia-affected person is particularly stressful because of the changes in the person’s cognition and abilities, as well as behavioral and emotional changes. The caregiver also undergoes strain and stress due to the hectic workload at home or at work places.
Most countries in Asia, which accounts for the lion’s share of dementia prevalence, have not formulated public health policies directly targeting the burden of dementia. Thus, informal caregivers such as family members, relatives, friends and neighbors bear the brunt of the burden for taking care of medical and social support.
It is a hard reality and a painful experience for caregivers to watch the health of their loved ones decline. During such situations the caregivers and other family members need strength and courage and protection from discouragement, says Chunakara.
People living with dementia and their caregivers have equal rights and dignity. However, society often stigmatizes and alienates them. Their families are even affected as stereotypes and misinformation spread in society, as many believe that dementia is incurable, or dismiss symptoms as just a normal part of aging.
Labeling and negative words are often used to describe the sufferer’s condition, resulting in social rejection, internalized shame, and isolation. Now that the Covid-19 outbreak has created a situation of poorly prepared and overburdened health care systems, routine services and support to people living with chronic dementia are severely compromised. Lockdowns, restrictions and other containment measures are intensifying the social exclusion of people living with dementia.