#WorldRockAgainstDementia Event 2018#
It just takes one call from my friend, Sailesh Mishra to get
me there. When someone like him tells
you to be there, you are there…. and not because you have been told to, but because you just know in your heart that you
have to. This is exactly what happened
for me and not surprised at all that when I landed there, I was handed a event
flow and told to get up on stage and host it too.
In 2017, Sailesh Mishra of Silver Innings was appointed Brand
Ambassador of India for Purple Angles a global platform for Dementia founded by
Norman Mc Namara. *World Rock Against
Dementia* 2018, was organised by Sailesh Mishra and his Silver Innings on March
24, 2018 to create awareness about Dementia - a global program - 85 events simultaneously
in 20 countries and in 5 continents. A collaborative event of global
organizations started by Purple Angel Ambassador.
Dance and song by Seniors and the band Nuts & Frets
rocked the show that evening. What was more heartening for me while hosting the
show was that each and every Senior wanted the world to know their AGE. Not one every wants to tell the world how old
one is and here were my peers all wanting me to share their ages on the mike with
everyone in the audience each time they performed.…. and why not? after all they were proving that AGE IS JUST A NUMBER and that the HEART
IS YOUNG FOREVER.
It was indeed a matter of pride to know that Sailesh has been
invited by Commonwealth International Forum Conference in UK, to represent
India and speak about his cause in April
2018. He will also talk about India,
about family culture in our country because the Western culture is keen to know
how we care about our family. He adds , "Let me tell you we are not so
bad. We need to protect our family institution and I will be talking about
it."
I decided that I had to get him to do a small interview so I
pinned him down to do a FB live with me on that event day. Here is the conversation we had.
Ø Hira
: Sailesh tell us what
this event is all about?
Sailesh: This event is hosted
all over the world in 20 countries & 5 continents to create awareness about
Dementia through music and dance. Music
and dance helps brain stimulate and help
in Dementia.
Ø Hira: Sailesh, you are like an angel, I
always say that and it is a fact. Tell me something about the causes that you
are supporting
Sailesh: We support the
cause of Senior Citizens.. By Senior Citizens I mean those about 60+. Also we
work with young people, old people and people with Dementia which a non-curable
disease. What has happened to your
family member you can't do anything about it but we can try to prevent it, we
can try to stabilize it, we can help the family members and the best thing is let
people in the Government know what Dementia and Alziehermers is all about so we
can act on it now.
Ø Hira: I have realised that Sailesh, that
you do a lot. You have Silver Innings, A1 Snehanjali that supports the senior
citizens and you have a home in
Nalasopara and Rajodi. Can you please
tell me something more about it.
Sailesh : We have one of India's first social enterprise assisted
living care home A1 Snehanjali at Nalasopara and Virar where we have a 24x7
dedicated home for Dementia and Alziehmer.
It is a big support and relief for the families of those suffering from
Dementia and it is a holistic home. It is not a nursing home, it is not an old
age home, it is not an orphanage. It is a home like yours and mine. We only
give love and care. That is all they need people. I think this is what India needs and I don't
also think we need to also make our own homes Dementia friendly.
Ø Hira : Dementia for me was a very scary
subject and then I met you, Sailesh. I also
decided to make a film called SELFLESS SOLDIER - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aETnPu2FFXk. What
else do you wish to share.
Sailesh : One more thing. We have a Silver Inning Football Club
playing for a cause also for Dementia. Our team is a group topper in Mumbai
District Football Association. This is
something I am proud of. As for everyone of us out there, I can only say
that love and support your parents
because one day you will also grow old.
Ø Silver Innings FC #SIFC Team qualifies for #MDFA Mumbai District Football Association - MDFA of 2nd Division this year 2017 -2018 and to 1st Division for next year 2018 -2019 in
prestigious #MDFA #Football tournament. They are through quarter finals.
Before
allowing him to leave, I had to ask him that pertinent question that had me
confused for a long time before it made
me come closer to understanding this cause which was:
Ø Hira
: There is the word Dementia and then there is
another word "Alzheimer's". What is the difference between the two
and when we talk to our family members or anyone, they think Dementia and Alzheimer's is the
same thing. I also used to think the same until I connected with you, read
about it on the internet and started to come to events like these. Please will you tell us what exactly it is.
Sailesh : Dementia is like an umbrella, in simple terms if I have to explain, it is like
a company that makes different products. Dementia is like that and has many
different facets to it like Alzheimer's and other kinds of focused Dementia
problems which I don't think one needs to know about except Dementia and
Alzheimer's prevail because in our country we have diabetes and heart problems.
Dementia is a chronic disorder
which affects the brain leading to memory loss, understanding problems, poor
cognitive functions and behavioural changes The main problem is forgetting but
forgetting is not wrong.
Ø Hira
: So then please, explain the confusion between old age and
Dementia, please.
Sailesh : See, forgetting small things such forgetting to pay a friend,
not recognising or remembering people names which sometimes we do intentionally
to avoid things. That is normal. Then what is this illness. It is when you forget everyday routine, such
as putting toothpaste on the brush, brushing or gargling, where and when to go
to the toilet. Meal times are forgotten,
whether it is morning or afternoon and sometimes if clouds cover the sky a
Dementia patient will think it already night or its morning. They will not
understand what time of the day it is. With these kind of problems the persons
personality changes. Forgetting little
things is okay, but problem comes when you forget people completely, forget to
eat, forget name of wife, son, family members- then it is a problem. It is then that it never gets cured.
Ø Hira
: How important is a
caregiver?
Sailesh : In Dementia and Alzheimer's the caregiver is the most
important person. The caregiver is the doctor and the medicine as no other
medicine works. Caregiver has the most important role and so who is a caregiver.
It is a family member or someone you hire to look after your family member
suffering from Dementia who stays 24x7 with them. Most importantly a caretaker must to take
good care of his mental health too.
The evening
of dance and music came to an end and I know why Sailesh always advocates and encourages
us seniors to continue to dance and sing. Simply because it stimulates the brain, relaxes,
connects the mind and soul leading to agility, flexibility, balance coordination
and as he always says "It
is a way to keep
your brain and body active and connected. So continue
to sing, dance and stay active, then Dementia will never come close to you."
A must read - “Remember me - You Me and Dementia ”, Book
by Sailesh Mishra https://www.amazon.in/dp/9385221051 is a valuable guide in
preparing care givers to foresee a new aspect of their life. The people
diagnosed with the disease in the early stages will help them understand
themselves and plan ones remaining journey of life. The book is interspersed with real life
stories and poems of perseverance and enduring without which, partaking in this
journey is not possible.
Connect: silverinnings@gmail.com. sailesh2000_2000@yahoo.co.uk or Mob:09819819145.
