Friday, October 19, 2012

THE LONG ROAD TO THE FINAL GOODBYE

Alzheimer's purple ribbon 
It's been a week now since the National Caregivers' Seminar up in Genting (see previous post). I continue to receive email enquiries about the seminar and also about the daycare centres that were recommended. Some of you have written to me about the daily challenges you face as a caregiver. I thank you all for writing and for sharing. I am glad many of you have found the post informative and helpful.

Here are two videos I would like to share. The first video was screened during Dr Donald Yeo's presentation at the seminar. It features well-known psychologist Dr Richard Taylor who has dementia. He has made it his mission to change public perception of people who have dementia.



The second video is a BBC interview with singer-songwriter Glen Campbell and his wife Kim after he was diagnosed with AD in June last year. At 76 and battling Alzheimer's, it is incredible that Campbell still remembers his lyrics and guitar chords. Truly an inspiration. Click here for a Youtube video of clips from Campbell's goodbye tour in February 2012. Do view especially if you are a Campbell fan.


In Singapore, it is estimated that about 28,000 seniors aged 60 and above suffer from dementia. This number is expected to increase to 80,000 by 2030. A study called WiSE (Well-being of the Singapore Elderly) is currently underway, led by the Institute of Mental Health, to better understand dementia in order to provide early intervention and reduce the burden on caregivers.

Alzheimer's Disease is the most common form of dementia. There is currently no cure for AD. For this reason, it is often referred to as 'The Long Goodbye'.

4 comments:

Starmandala said...

I had something to say about this... but I can't remember what.

seniorsaloud said...

:-0, :-)

BEN said...

Went to the kitchen to pour myself a drink.

Saw the glass uncovered. Dang!Somebody left my glass uncovered again.

Put back the lid on. Turned my back to do what I was supposed to do.

Now, now. What was it that I wanted to do? Oh Yes To pour myself a glass of water.

Proceed to pour without taking off the lid. Stopped in time before making a mess of the table.

Reminder to self: Must remove lid before pouring water in glass.

Dementia or forgetfulness. Do tell me

seniorsaloud said...

:-), Ben. Happens to me too, especially when I am fixing breakfast and not fully awake. On one occasion I threw away the tea-spoon instead of the tea-bag, and left my cell phone in the fridge after taking out the bread! Dementia? I doubt. Absent-mindedness? Could be. Lack of focus? Most likely.