Alzheimer's & Dementia
Dementia is a neurological disorder that affects your ability to think, speak, reason, remember and move. Find tips for dealing with dementia and its most common cause: Alzheimer's, an irreversible brain disease that slowly destroys memory, executive and motor function.
How elder-care services are filling in for family in the pandemic
The organisations are helping with groceries and errands, doctors’ visits, even last rites, stepping in for children trapped abroad and unable to visit. Sometimes, they say, all the seniors want to do is talk and know that someone is nearby.
Hospital Bed for Rent in Chennai
MODI GOVERNMENT'S BOON FOR SENIOR CITIZENS - MEDICAL CONSULTING TOTALLY FREE
The Central Government has launched an excellent consulting scheme for senior citizens and all other citizens. Elderly people, especially those with high blood pressure, diabetes, etc., don't rush to the hospital for OPD. They seek treatment at home for minor ailments like headaches, physical pain, and are not ready to go to the hospital.
You can now access consultancy and treatment on Google Chrome via the link below. Note:
1. Select patient registration.
2. Type your mobile number. Type OTP on mobile for registration.
3. Enter patient details and district. Now, you will connect with the doctor online. After that, you can consult a doctor for any of your health problems through the video. The doctor will prescribe the medicine online. You can take the medicine by showing it in the medical pharmacy shop.
This service is completely free.
You can use this service every day from 10.00 am to 3.00 pm, including Sunday.
Please send this to senior citizens in your contact list.
This is the Central Government website:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=in.hied.esanjeevaniopd
This is a fantastic step for senior citizens.... Please take advantage & Forward it to All Senior Citizens Please Spread Message So ALL CAN TAKE BENIFITS in BHARAT..
You or anyone who is looking for an old age home or living facilities for senior citizens
Samarth Community has created the largest directory of all old age homes and other senior living communities in India, along-with the details of the facilities offered by each one of them. The directory has over a 1000 such options in over 50 cities in India.
This can be accessed, free of cost, by all senior citizens in India at https://www.samarth.community/senior-housing
Please share it with any of your friends who need this help.
Resources for Dementia Care
Facilities for patients of Alzheimer’s/ other Dementias
Resources for dementia care: Chennai, Coimbatore
http://dementiacarenotes.in/resources/city-wise/dementia-chennai-coimbatore/
This page contains information specific for dementia care in Chennai and Coimbatore, for the convenience of caregivers of patients of Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of dementia.
Facilities for patients of Alzheimer’s/ other dementias
Helplines and major information sources for elders.
Dementia-related material in various Indian languages (including Tamil).
General tips for locating relevant resources in a city.
| FACILITY | ADDRESS AND OTHER DETAILS |
|---|---|
| ARDSI Chennai Chapter (Chennai Chapter of Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders Society of India) and Madras Memory Clinic |
Dr. R. Sathianathen, Secretary, The Madras Memory Clinic, D-89, III Cross Street, Anna Nagar East, Chennai – 600 102, TAMIL NADU Phone: (044) 2663 1123, 2663 3143 Mobile: (0)98 4101 9910, (0)9444216023 Can also contact Dr. Priscilla or Mr. Kumar Saragapani E-mail: sathianathen6@yahoo.com kumarspani@hotmail.com Other emails: ardsi.chennaiconference@gmail.com priscilla@madrasmemoryclinic.com pk_ari@yahoo.com sathianathan@madrasmemoryclinic.com Website: http://madrasmemoryclinic.com ARDSI Chennai Chapter, in association with Sri Ramachandra University and Indian Psychiatric Society, hosted the ARDSI XVII National Conference in November 2012 with the theme “Synergizing Innovative Research and Technologies in Alzheimer’s Care”. The conference website, earlier at http://www.ardsichennaichapter.com/conference.html, seems to have been discontinued (updated: July 2014) |
| DEMCARES (Dementia Care in SCARF) |
The DEMCARES initiative was started in January 2015 by SCARF with the objectives of having clinical service in dementia, research, and also support for caregivers. It is funded by the Infosys Foundation. DEMCARES are developing various tools and programs as part of this initiative and have a weekly clinic. The DEMCARES program is under active development, so please contact them for updates on their current status and future plans. Current activities of DEMCARES include training programmes and various types of clinics and support. Contact them for diagnosis, for training for family caregivers and professional carers, for support group meetings, and other queries related to dementia. One very useful resource created by DEMCARES is a Chennai resource directory for dementia: (PDF file): Health Care and Resource Directory ; it includes information on professionals, agencies, care centres, services, etc. DEMCARES hopes to keep adding to it and maintaining it based on data they gather and feedback sent to them. Some information on their monthly support group meetings is at the DEMCARES projects page (click “Support Group” tab) ; contact them for details/ updates. The contact details are: Dementia Resource and Training Centre No.149, First Floor Greams Dugar Apartments, Greams Road, Chennai, Tamil Nadu – 600006 Landmark – Opp to Thousand Light Police Station. Phone: 044-49539768 (L) +917358588822 (M) Email: dementia@scarfindia.org Website: www.dementiaindia.org Skype: dementiaindia You can also contact Dr. Sridhar Vaitheswaran, Consultant Psychiatrist at SCARF (Schizophrenia Research Foundation, India) at sridhar.v@scarfindia.org |
| ARDSI Chennai Chapter Day Care (started October 14, 2013) Day care for dementia patients |
D89, III Street, Anna Nagar East,
Chennai 600102 (Direction tips: opp. Buhari Hotel & close to Adidas showroom & behind Zaitoon Hotel) Ph: 044-26633143/ 9840931952 Emails: (see above entry on The Madras Memory Clinic) The day care will function with the help of professional carers and will use scientific therapies like reminiscences, reality orientation and music, and encourage patients to use and sustain the cognitive functions they still have. |
| Dignity Dementia Day Care Day care for dementia patients |
Contact: Ms. Deepa 4/ 206A, Manasarovar Building, M.G.R. Salai, Palavakkam, Chennai 600 041. Phone number: 044-24493165 (Information reconfirmed July 2014 to update contact person name; earlier contact person was Mr. Radhakrishnan) 18, A, Flowers Road, Kilpauk, Chennai – 600 010. Phone No: +91-44-26412030. Email : dr_v_s_natarajan@yahoo.com Website (currently not working) at www.geriatricsdrvsn.com Dr. Natrajan has also written a Tamil book on dementia. An alternate contact address is: No.16, 17th Street, “Q” Block, Anna Nagar, Chennai – 600 040. Ph: 044 – 26267282. |
| Other dementia/ memory clinics in Chennai |
Dr. Ravi Samuel, 26/1 Arcot Street T Nagar, Chennai 600 017 Phone (044) 2372 1418, (044) 2433 7439 Mobile: 09444022054 E-mail: VAI@visionageindia.org ravisamuel@urclinic.com Website: http://visionageindia.org http://urclinic.com Read Harmony India’s interview of Dr. Samuel about his work in helping patients: this archived link . Dr. Samuel ‘s Dementia Pictorial Book, which depicts the real story of a teacher developed Alzheimer’s after retirement, is available in both Tamil and English. |
| Other caregiver support resources | Arunai Thelirchi Maiyam: The centre provides cognitive rehabilitation and support for patients with neurological/psychiatric symptoms and ailments, including dementia. It also supports and trains caregivers, including counselling for them, and conducting stress management sessions. It is managed by Porrselvi A.P., a Specialist in Cognitive and Psychosocial interventions. The center (working days only) is at 48/2/2A, Majestic Apartments, Arcot Road, Saligramam, Chennai- 600 093, their email is arunaithelirchimaiyam@gmail.com, and the contact number is +919047452258 View the Arunai Thelirchi Maiyam website and their Facebook page An example of their counselling is available in this very useful case study of their work: Dementia caregiving challenges and solutions . ANEW (Association for non-traditional employment for women: ANEW offers need based training programs in various areas, including nursing assistants. Their training program (including orientation and practical training) is six months long: ANEW Projects . They are a possible source for home care assistants (as in any such service, evaluate suitably): Contact details on website are: ANEW (Association for Non-Traditional Employment of Women), BASIL SELLERS CENTRE, AH 107, New No. 16, 4th Street, Shanthi Colony, Annanagar, Chennai – 600 040. Ph: (91) 044 2620 0697, 044 2621 0492, Email: anew_an@yahoo.in Pain and Stroke Rehabilitation: A physiotherapy clinic in Chennai offers various rehabilitation programs, including Neurological rehabilitation program with special emphasis on Stroke Rehabilitation. View the Pain and Stroke Rehabilitation website . SAND Cafe (Support Alzheimer’s N Dementia Cafe), Chennai is a recent initiative that provides an informal Cafe setting where caregivers and persons with dementia can meet periodically for chatting and relaxing. Read an article about SAND Cafe here or contact Vimal Balachander, the person behind it, at 098409 31790 or vimabala4@gmail.com Some other resources that may be useful because of their rehabilitation or wholistic approaches (especially in case of stroke, and maybe dementia) are VHS (check their Neurology dept) and Trimed . No longer functioning: CARE3 (Care, Connect, Community): CARE3 (Care Cubed), started by Rama Murali in collaboration with IIT Madras’ Rural Technology Business Incubator (RTBI), used to support caregivers, but stopped functioning around August/ September 2015. Their site www.carecubed.org and Facebook page are discontinued. One video with caregiver interviews is available; see our video and presentation page. |
| Pain/ Palliative Care | Organizations active in palliative care in Chennai include Lakshmi Pain and Palliative Care Trust , Dean Foundation hospice , and RMD Pain and Palliative Care Trust ). Palliative care is also available in organizations working in cancer, such as Jeevodaya hospice for advanced cancer and Raksha hospice for cancer, Coimbatore. When getting palliative care, please remain alert that the doctors advising you are familiar with applying palliative care for dementia. Palliative resources in Tamil Nadu are listed by Pallium and by Pain & Palliative Care Society . |
| Vazhikatti Mental Health Centre & Research Institute Coimbatore and ARDSI – Coimbatore Chapter |
Dr. K. Selvaraj, Psychiatrist (MD, DPM, DNB) Vazhikatti Mental Health Centre & Research Institute, 25, Nehru Street, Opp Tirupur Textile Bus Stop Avinashi Road, Peelamedu Coimbatore – 641004, TAMIL NADU Phone: 0422-4397671/ 73, Mobile: +91-984-225-3053, 984-225-9062 Website: http://www.vazhikatti.com/ E-mail: (try all) jeevaselva@yahoo.co.in, vazhikatti@gmail.com Vazhikatti had earlier set up ARDSI – Coimbatore Chapter (Coimbatore Chapter of Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders Society of India). This chapter has not been active for some time, though the institute may still be providing counselling/ support relevant for dementia caregivers. Please contact Dr. K. Selvaraj using the details above to know more about what the Vazhikatti Institute offers, or to find out about the future plans for the chapter (data last rechecked: March 2016) Please let us know if you have any updates regarding on their work; thanks!! |
| Dementia awareness events September 2013 (may be good to identify experts/ facilities related to dementia) |
Some media reports: World Alzheimer’s Day at Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, with doctors from other hospitals and colleges (event announced , report of event: Pay attention to dementia). For interviews of other city doctors and some caregivers: Interviews in a report from Hindu.com and Another city report from Hindu.com . |
| Other resources/ tips for home care/ trained attendants/ caregiver support | The resources listed above may be able to provide home care/ attendants trained for dementia, or they may point you to other resources. The sections below (resources for elders and general tips) may also be useful. Also, please check the comments left by various site visitors, as some of these may point to organizations that other caregivers have used. Please satisfy yourself about any service/ facility before using it. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to get attendants trained for dementia. You may need to use general attendants and train them on dementia yourself or with the help of volunteers. Our page here, Using Trained Attendants for Dementia Home Care, discusses this topic in detail. You may also find our Caregiving Essential Toolkit useful. |
Helplines and other resources for elders
Senior Citizen/ Elder Helpline Number Chennai/ Coimbatore/ all Tamil Nadu: 1253. (click for helpage website and Tamil Nadu police website emergency numbers ). Also, tollfree number of Helpage India at 1800-180-1253 Dignity helpline: 044 2433 0363
| FACILITY | ADDRESS AND OTHER DETAILS |
|---|---|
| Helpage India Chennai and Coimbatore |
Contact Person : Mr. P R Anbazhakan, Territory Head – Tamil Nadu & Karnataka, 3-C, Thiagaraja Complex, 853, Poonamallee High Road, Kilpauk, Chennai – 600 010. Phone: 044-25322149 Mobile: 91 09940091313 Telefax: 044-26480874 Email: chennai@helpageindia.org Site: http://helpageindia.org Coimbatore Ms. Anitha. R, Executive – MMU Moses Gnanambaram Eye Hospital, 80 Big Bazaar Street, Coimbatore – 641001 Tel. No. : 0422-2305716 E-Mail: coimbatore@helpageindia.org Ask Helpage about any elder care services and also about any Geriatric Physiotherapy clinic in the city, as such clinics can be useful for rehabilitation of persons with mobility problems and also with dementia. |
| Dignity Foundation, Chennai | Old No. 93, New 34, Ellaiamman Koil 1st Street. (Behind Stella Maris College) Teynampet, Chennai – 600 086 Mobile : 044 42316566 Email : dignityfoundation.chennai@gmail.com (If you are unable to reach them, please contact the Mumbai office at 022-61381100 for information) Website : http://www.dignityfoundation.com |
| Geriatric House Call project May be very useful for persons who are home-bound) |
Helpline for doctors and nurses at the doorstep Phone numbers: 26412030, 9884145189, 28231388. Phone for drug delivery service 9962013178 Read more about it at: The Hindu newspaper report . |
| Other resources for services/ information | One upcoming resource for home care is Portea , a Bangalore-based company that provides various services for home care in multiple Indian cities. Portea is expanding currently, so what they offer keeps changing. Please contact them to check their current status and to evaluate them for suitability and reliability Elders/ their caregivers can use services of volunteers from Mayacare.com for assistance/ respite (website: http://www.mayacare.com ) India Home Health Care claims to provide home care services and attendants in Chennai (Update Feb 2015: their website is giving some safety warning and hence the link is not provided here) Red Cross, Kottayam (Kerala), also provides 24-hour attendants for many cities in South India. They may send nurses to cities like Chennai. Contact: Indian Red Cross Society, Kottayam District Branch, Red Cross Tower, Nagambadom, Kottayam- 686001, Ph: 0481-2300238, 0481-2560238. |
Dementia-related material in various Indian languages (including Telugu and Urdu)
Tamil - An explanation of dementia from Vision Age, Chennai. Also available in Tamil: Booklet on dementia from Alzheimer's Society (UK). Several booklets from Alzheimer's Australia in Tamil (topics include what is dementia, diagnosing, early planning, communication, taking a break, changed behaviours). Some documents on dementia and its assessment and possible activities etc. are available (may need special font installed): from Lanka Alzheimer's Foundation. You can also call/ email Vision Age for availability of printed booklets on dementia/ care in Tamil. A book written by DR.V.S.Natarajan (136 pages) is available: contact Dr.V.S.Natarajan, Adiparasakthi Clinic, A book written by DR.V.S.Natarajan (136 pages) is available: contact Dr.V.S.Natarajan, Adiparasakthi Clinic, Chennai, Ph: 044 -26412030, 044 – 26267282, email: dr_v_s_natarajan@yahoo.com . For resources and information useful to the elderly, Old Age Solutions, a portal from the Govt. of India and AIIMS), has a Tamil version.
Click here to locate our full list of resources with dementia and caregiving information in various Indian languages (currently Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Konkani, Malayalam, Marathi, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu): Dementia Information in Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Konkani, Malayalam, Marathi, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu
General tips for locating relevant resources:
- A list of local services can usually be obtained by surfing the Internet using keywords and the name of the city, such as "home nursing Chennai", "dementia care Chennai", "old age homes Chennai."
- Combine your search string with various versions of the city name in searches, such as Chennai, Madras, Coimbatore. So, a search could be "old age homes Chennai" or "dementia Madras"
- The larger hospitals of the city will usually have memory clinics to help the initial diagnosis of a patient. Search for "memory clinic Chennai" and other such phrases.
- Updates/ fresh data on dementia support facillities/ services may also be avaailble from the National Dementia Helpline ( 04842808088 (Mon-Sat 10 AM-4 PM). E-mail: ndh@ardsi.org) or other helplines handled by the ARDSI National Office (09846198471,09846198786, 09846198473)
- The reception/ nurses at local hospitals often know about agencies that supply attendants/ nurses for home care.
- Many large path lab services also provide home pickup of blood samples.
- Many neighborhood path labs and small clinics are able to send nurses home for some minor procedures, like IV. Some even have contacts of doctors who may be willing to make home visits (you must satisfy yourself about the quality and reliability)
- City-wise/ region-wise dementia resources: City-wise resources
- Resources/ organizations working in dementia/ elder care across multiple Indian cities: Resources across India
- Quick access to essential caregiving tips: Caregiving Essential Toolkit
- Discussion on trained attendants for home care of patients : Using Trained Attendants for Dementia Home Care
Also note, contact numbers and addresses keep changing. If you have an old number/ name of hospital/ doctor, etc., you can try to get the latest correct number/ address using local telephone inquiry/ assistance services or services like Justdial (0888-888-8888) and Askme (0444-444-4444).
Please contact the resources listed above if you are looking for dementia/ care support in Chennai/ Coimbatore. If you are looking for resources in other Indian cities/ regions, or across India, check out these links:
Other useful links: