Do We Know Them?

A blog by guest writer – Deepti Naval, Actress, Author of “The Mad Tibetan”

(Source:India-Forums.Com)

How many of us had heard about Progeria and Alzheimer before the movie Paa and Black were released? Likewise, Taare Zameen Par and the recent Ranbir-Priyanka starrer Barfi will keep Dyslexia and Autism in our minds, and we did learn a little about Pompe from Hollywood’s Extra ordinary measures.

Memory Lapse

Out there, there are people who experience that something is not right, they are embarrassed or frightened because they recognize changes in their thinking, all the while fighting to be in control, making up a little story to fill the memory gap, being misunderstood by family members as deliberately lying.

Their story telling is not a lie but a self defense mechanism.

Sign Language

They may point at the glass of water on the table wanting to drink and yet not state clearly what they want, while you stand there waiting and fuming to know what exactly he wants – the glass, book or his spectacles.

It would be a lot easier for him if he could remember the word - cup, but he cannot and therefore most often uses sign language. Soon they start expressing needs, wants and feelings increasingly using gestures and actions.

Pre occupied

They are likely to show signs of withdrawal or be pre occupied with past, restoring old memories and sometimes living in that time and reality. They tend to replace words which they cannot remember like Rain stick for umbrella.

If he cannot remember you as his wife, he is probably thinking of you as someone else, from the time period he was dwelling in his mind - may be his college days. He mixes up relationships and generations, pulls out a drawer to keep something, instead attracted by its contents, begins to empty them, comes to spread the table cloth, forgets what he was doing and starts folding it instead.

Shut out

They may completely shut out the outside world, sit or lie in bed staring into space for hours together and not respond when someone speaks to them. 

He is not ignoring you. We can still talk with them and make physical contact as they still hear and experience through touch.

And there is no film yet to talk about them – the little known Dementia - how it is to lead a life without memories, when every day is a new day and they believe you to be someone from their past. It is challenging for both the patient and his family members.

Here is a chance to know them better, and perhaps lend a helping hand:

Ramosara Foundation (RSF) registered in Karnataka intends to create awareness in India including Schools, colleges and corporate on stages of dementia - their constant struggle every minute with people outside who do not understand what is missing and inner war with their own condition, enlightening people regarding how to deal with Dementia

They are also collating funds with their membership drive of Rs. 4000/- per family to build a home for regular seniors and Dementia patients.

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About Deepti Naval:

Deepti Naval is a person of many pursuits and interests - an actress, painter, photographer, writer, producer and director. She is known for her performance in films like Chashme Baddoor, Kisise na kehna, Rang Birangi, Katha, Mirch Masala, Leela, Freaky Chakra and the recent Listen Ameya. Her first attempt as writer, producer and director is for the film Do Paise ki dhoop, chaar aane ki baarish. Author of “Mad Tibetan” – Stories from then and now – published by Amaryllis Publication of Delhi. A person who never fails to impress the world, each time a layer of her persona is unveiled.