SNDT university – The Metrognome

Disaster preparedness training currently underway in Mumbai

Drastic climate change and changing weather patterns are attributed to rise in natural disasters, SNDT University is hosting the programme.

by The Editors | editor@themetrognome.in

Observing that drastic climate change and changing weather patterns have increased the frequency and intensity of disasters in recent years, State Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao recently called for improving institutional and community preparedness to limit the damage caused by such disasters.

Recalling the instances of the earthquake in Nepal, floods in Jammu & Kashmir and Uttarakhand, the Malin tragedy near Pune and the unseasonal rains in Maharashtra, the Governor said every organisation and housing society should have a functioning disaster management system in place. He added that there should be a regulator to monitor and certify the readiness of an institution to tackle disaster.

The Governor was speaking after inaugurating a training programme on disaster preparedness ‘Avhan’ at Birla Matishree Sabhagriha in Mumbai on Monday, 25 May, 2015.

The SNDT Women’s University is hosting the programme this year. In all, 1,050 NSS volunteers and 70 programme officers from all parts of the State will undergo the 10-day training programme to be conducted by the National Disaster Response Force in Mumbai during May 25 and 3 June, 2015.

Stating that community is the first responder in any disaster situation, the Governor expressed the need for creating awareness among citizens through disaster management education and training. The Governor called for inculcating disaster responsive public behaviour among the people.

Vice Chancellor Vasudha Kamat delivered the welcome address while State Liaison officer of the National Service Scheme Dr Atul Salunke apprised the gathering about the training programme.

Snapshots: Posters on Alzheimer’s

Students of SVT College of Home Science displayed interesting posters explaining how Alzheimer’s happens and what to do about it.

by The Editors | editor@themetrognome.in

Students of SVT College of Home Science, SNDT University put up an array of informative posters about the symptoms of Alzheimer’s, how it affects the sufferer and how to deal with it at an event on Saturday. The event, a sensitisation seminar, was titled ‘Understanding and respective individuals with Alzheimer’s’ and was held in association with Lions Club of JB Nagar, Andheri, our campaign partners Silver Innings Foundation and ARDSI Greater Mumbai Chapter. It was held yesterday at SNDT University, Juhu campus.

A total of 150 people participated. These included students, senior citizens and family caregivers. Hearteningly, 90 per cent were youth. As part of the event, five skits were performed and there was a poster exhibition, which explained the various stages of Alzheimer’s and dementia, and the Dos and don’ts to be followed by caregivers as part of their daily interactions with those afflicted. See a few of the posters below:

What causes Alzheimers’:

Age (those at risk are people over 65 years old. More than 50 per cent of those afflicted are over 85 years old), family history, vascular diseases (high BP, high cholesterol), stroke, faulty lifestyle, obesity, habits like smoking, drinking alcohol, chewing tobacco, drinking excess coffee, those suffering a head injury, toxins such as aluminium, infections and viruses, deficiency of Vitamin A, C, E, B6, B12, carotenoids, zinc, selenium and being socially inactive.

Symptoms:

Repeating statements over and over again; misplacing items; having trouble recalling familiar names or familiar objects; getting lost on familiar routes; personality changes; losing interest in things previously enjoyed; difficulty performing tasks that take some thought but which used to come easily (like balancing a checkbook, playing complex games such as bridge and learning new information or routines).

Understanding Alzheimer’s:

– Alzheimer’s can cause a person to show behaviour that they normally wouldn’t. This means that you, as a caregiver, will be faced with many challenges as you try to give your the best care that you can.

– Some of the challenges that you may face include physical aggression, verbal aggression, mood swings, wandering, repetition of words, and combativeness.

– All of these changes in behaviour can lead to a great deal of tension and frustrations for both you and your patient. The most important thing that you need to remember is that your Alzheimer’s parent isn’t behaving this way on purpose. Their behaviour is simply the result of their disease so you need to avoid analysing the situation and looking for solutions when there are none.

What you can do:

– Make them as independent as possible.

– Give them medicines on time.

– Develop proper timetable for daily chores.

– Keep the house clean and maintain hygiene.

– Educate your neighbours and relatives.

– Don’t be rigid, be flexible with rules and behavioural changes.

– Share responsibility of care taking or appoint a professional caretaker.

– See that the professional caretakers are not given other household work.

– Avoid sharp edges in the house.

– Install a good security system for the house.

– Give the sufferer an ID card or a monitoring device.

– Don’t change their living environment

– Respect them.

(Pictures courtesy Sailesh Mishra, Silver Innings)