Twitter
Advertisement

At this dementia day care in Mumbai, pets keep seniors on their toes

The facility, which caters exclusively to senior citizens afflicted with dementia, has been using innovative methods to help patients and family members deal with the impairment.

Latest News
article-main
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

The city’s only dementia day care centre bustles with music and barks of trained animals who assist the elderly dementia patients in their daily chores.

The facility, which caters exclusively to senior citizens afflicted with dementia, has been using innovative methods to help patients and family members deal with the impairment.

“Research has shown that day care centres play a significant role in the lives of the patients, as well as the family members. We take care of the seniors while their families are at work. Since there is no cure for dementia, we keep them occupied with various activities,” said Dr Sheilu Sreenivasan, founder-president of Dignity Foundation, which operates the day care centre at Grant Road.

The centre, which opens at 11am, has sessions on yoga, prayers, occupational therapy and therapeutic games for the elderly. “We have animal-assisted therapy, which works wonders for the seniors. Our patients play with the dogs, feed, and take walks with them. It not only relaxes them, but also enhances their social skills,” Sreenivasan said.

The centre has also formed a support group consisting of counsellors, doctors, volunteers and family members.

“We host these meetings once a month, in which family members and volunteers share issues. We also arrange for guidance from psychologists, counsellors, and doctors on how to deal with the patients’ various problems, such as disorientation, insomnia, etc,” said Kalyani Sahasrabudhe, one of the volunteers at the centre.

She added that each is different. “Some think this is their office, some feel they have come to a gym, while for others, it’s a senior citizens club,” she said.  

“The aim of the centre is to help patients keep a routine, and tosocialise, as this keeps them stable for longer periods,” said Neha Shah, counsellor, Social Support Services. “Their comfort level is the most important factor, for which the coordinators, volunteers and care givers play a significant role. The progression of dementia slows down after patients join a day care facility, and we can start seeing improvements after some time,” she said.

Shah points out the case of a patient who could recall only one family member. “But after joining the centre, the patient can count to hundred, list the months of the year and the days of the week. This is very good progress,” she said.

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement