The Dementia Day Care Centre of Dignity Foundation, a voluntary organisation working towards the welfare of senior citizens, has a daily pick-up and drop service for those with dementia. According to Felista Jose, manager at the centre, the tempo service was started as the number of those availing the services at the Centre increased and accommodating each of them became a challenge.
The tempo starts at Anna Nagar, where the Centre is located, and offers pick-up and drop to patients from areas such as Arumbakkam, Virugumbakkam, Kilpauk, Mandaveli, Kotturpuram, Adyar, Besant Nagar and Thiruvanmiyur. As of now, only one vehicle is in operation. “At times, patients from localities that are not covered by the tempo’s route are regrettably turned down as we find it challenging to keep up with the demand. In one week, we get more than three requests that have to be turned down,” she says. “But, we hope to add more vehicles to accommodate patients from different parts of the city.” The morning session starts at 9.30 a.m. with activities to stimulate body and mind, including wheelchair exercises, yoga, meditation, music therapy and games. As part of their social work curriculum, college students pay weekly visits and engage with the senior residents.
Additionally, the centre organises monthly outings, which include picnics and trips to the outskirts of the city. “Dementia Day Care Centre allows caregivers some personal time and also trains them on how to administer medicine and give food those they are caring for. We also train occupational therapists, who visit the centre every week to provide the required treatment. Doctors provide monthly check-ups for every patient, at the Foundation in Anna Nagar, every month,” explains Srinivasan, a caretaker of the organisation. The monthly fee at the centre is ₹7,000, which covers the transport and lunch. The day-care for dementia patients was started by Chief Dignitarian Sundera Goplalan. The helpline number of the Dementia Day Care Centre is 044 26210363.
