About 3.2 million people in India are affected by Alzheimer's and other forms of Dementia. By 2016 there will be 113 million people over 60 and above. Of which 10% of them over 65 and almost half of them over 85 will have the disease.
In 1992 the Alzheimer's and Related Disorders Society of (ARDSI) was formed. ARDSI was admitted as a full member of the Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI) based in Chicago in 1993, thus becoming the first Afro- Asian Alzheimer's society to get this unique distinction. ADI is in official relationship with world Health Organization. The association is dedicated to research for the prevention, care and treatment of the Alzheimer disease and other related disorders and to provide support and assistance to the afflicted patients and their families.
The main aim of ARDSI is to raise awareness about dementia in the country. We are also involved in developing services, offer training and promote research. Several exciting developments are taking place in Alzheimer's research. We have been invited by the WHO Alzheimer's research programme based in New York to be one of the global Alzheimer's research partners. We propose to carry out several new initiatives in this field in India.
The Alzheimer's Society has a unique knowledge and understanding of dementia and its impact on families. It provides clear, comprehensive and accurate information on all forms of dementia and caring. It produces booklets, reports, videos and a newsletter. It runs courses and conferences and produces high quality training for professional and care service providers. It delivers quality day care and home care through its local branches. It develops policy, raises public awareness and seeks to educate politicians, policy makers and planners. It campaigns for the needs and interests of people with dementia and their carers to be recognised in improved health and social care. As a member of Alzheimer's Disease International it contributes to worldwide efforts to tackle the international problem of dementia, and as one of the leading organisations it supports the development of carers organisations in other countries.
We have now chapters in Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Cochin, Palakkad, Thrissur, Thiruvananthapuram, Pathanamthitta, Kozhikode and Kottayam Calcutta Chapter of the Alzheimer's and Related Disorders Society of India started on 21st of September 1999 on the World Alzheimer's Day by Mrs. Shefali Chaudhuri in her late eighties now. Her own daughter is suffering from this dreadful disease. She is a picture of strength and determination in her effort to give the best possible care for all suffering from this tragic disease.The Chapter was registered on the 23rd of May 2000 with the no. S/ 98648 and has been successful in conducting various awareness and service oriented programs since the inception.
Till date we have over 1000+ patients with the disease whose family have contacted us for information, counseling and care management plan. We have received inquiries about the disease and the chapter from many parts of Eastern India. The society focuses exclusively on social problems of dementia and is seen as the leading source of advice and help on all dementia related issues. From government and scientific and medical community to people with dementia and their carers, our role is recognized as being invaluable.
We survive only on donations and memberships to support our humongous project. However, to accomplish all the goals and reach out to more victims we need assistance in terms of fund-raising, referrals and strategic planning. The organization believes that caring for the population is a joint effort of physicians, families, social workers, social agencies, businesses, and of course us the blessed ones that can still think, reason and remember.
General Shankar RoyChaudhury
Justice Chittotosh Mookherjee
Mr.Russy Modi
