Sarala Devi is always confused about what is happening around her. She feels at a loss most often, but remembers some of the people whom she had worked with and some of her students, who are public figures now. A. K. Antony is defence minister, she says. She cannot remember what Vayalar Ravi’s portfolio is.
She remembers that her student Mammootty was called by another name, but cannot remember the name. And then she remembers the name Balachandran Chullikkad, but cannot connect it with poetry. She feels terrible when she cannot remember.
One of the most active teachers at the Maharaja’s College, Sarala Devi was the Head of the Hindi Department and her doctoral thesis was on the works of two poets, Maithili Sharan Gupt and Jaisankar Prasad. All these she remembers, but not always.
The care givers at the day-care centre run by the Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders Society of India (ARDSI) try to humour her with some talk and other exercises that keep her engaged for the day.
She talks about her daughter, Radha, who was a bright student and who is a doctor now settled in the United States. However, when asked, she cannot recall her specialty. Later when her son-in-law is mentioned, she says that he is an anaesthetist and then recalls her daughter’s specialty in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
“M. K. Sanoo, Radhakrishnan Sir (Economics)and Naseem Miss (History)” were some of the names she could recognise with their departments as well.
While dementia, as part of Alzheimer’s disease, cripples the memory, the patient becomes more and more different from what he or she was. The near and dear ones of the patients too have to be counselled for getting accustomed to the new mannerisms and behaviour changes of the patient.
Rajeshwari is an advocate at the High Court. Taking care of her 74-year old mother, Lakshmikutty Amma, for the last seven years had been a learning process for her. For the last one year or so her mother has become quiet and has slipped into a world of her own as she now has to be fed and cared for just like a baby.
Saraswathy Amma is the most active member of the centre. She talks without hesitation about her days in Kayamkulam, but gets confused about where she is living now.
F. S. Manavalan had retired as a senior tax official.
He had started practising at the High Court before the disease took over him. Mrs. Manavalan believes that it is only by being gentle and loving to the patient, one can get him to do something.
It is difficult to impose things on him or teach him new things. “Thankfully, every one at home takes care about it and caring for him has become part of our life,” she says. The day-care centre has been a boon as Mr. Manavalan enjoys going there as if going to work in his earlier days.
It is best to detect the symptoms of the disease soon so that one is able manage it better. The care givers too have to learn a lot about the disease.
This is what the ARDSI focuses on in its awareness campaigns when they observe World Alzheimer’s Day on Monday.
