Delhi to have day-care centre for Alzheimer’s patients

NEW DELHI - Delhi will soon have its own day-care centre for Alzheimer’s patients, Delhi Finance Minister A.K. Walia said Sunday.

Speaking at a function here, Walia said: “The Delhi government will provide its full support to build an Alzheimer’s day-care centre. We will provide land which is centrally located.”

Alzheimer’s or dementia (memory loss) is a progressive illness of the brain, which affects elderly more. The brain cells are damaged and die faster than they normally do. Gradually, the person loses ability to do everyday tasks.

“Delhi, which has a number of good hospitals, should also take steps to provide a solution to the problem of Alzheimer disease as well,” added Walia.

Walia elaborated: “With greater life expectancy, the cases of dementia will also increase, in these circumstances Delhi needs an Alzheimer’s day-care centre.”

There are an estimated 18 million people worldwide suffering from Alzheimer disease. India accounts for six million cases out of these. The number of people affected by Alzheimer’s worldwide will reach 35 million by 2025.

Alzheimer disease is not only an old age disease but can also affect people who consume alcohol or are prone to other chronic disease like diabetes, heart condition and hyper-tension.

“Awareness is very important as India has more than 6 million cases of this disease already and it is likely to affect millions more,” said Sushma Chawla, president of charitable society Hope Ek Asha.

Ronald Reagan, former US president, who died in 2004 was suffering from Alzheimer’s.

–Indo Asian News Service