It was a unique walk aimed at highlighting the city's commitment to preserving the memories of those who can't remember. On Thursday morning, hundreds took part in the Walk at RK Beach to promote social awareness about dementia and to represent the concerns of the elderly population in the city affected by this devastating disease, as well as those dedicated to offering them care and support.

Dementia India Alliance (DIA), a national non-profit organization focused on dementia and dedicated to family caregivers, partnered with Sneha Sandhya Age Care Foundation in Visakhapatnam to host the Blue Button movement event at R.K Beach here on Thursday. Dr. N. S. Raju, the Managing Trustee of Age Care Foundation and Vice-President of Dementia India Alliance, said that this symbolic Blue button holds great importance for individuals grappling with dementia, as the act of fastening one's clothing signifies independence, and its inability can signify the early stages of dementia. The interlinked threads within this button represent the unity of the Alliance, as they unite to provide hope and support.

The Principal of Andhra Medical College Dr. Butchi Raju underscored the importance of raising awareness about dementia and rallying community support. He also discussed the significance of lifestyle modifications in preventing and postponing the onset of this condition and spoke about the age care foundation’s initiatives like screening camps, memory clinics, visits from nurses and doctors, as well as specialized clinics exclusively designed for individuals with dementia.

While sharing the array of services available at King George Hospital for diagnosing, assessing, and treating individuals experiencing memory-related issues Dr. S. Gopi, the HoD of Neurology and a Professor at Andhra Medical College, emphasized the importance of collaboration between public and social organizations to provide comprehensive support to patients and their families and underscored the necessity of training caregivers to ensure that patients receive the essential care they require.

Other medical experts addressed the behavioral challenges linked to dementia and emphasized how these issues can be misinterpreted or overlooked by family members. He stressed the importance of raising awareness about dementia not only among healthcare providers but also within the general public.

The Chairman of the Age Care Foundation, G Sambasiva Rao spoke about the forthcoming completion of the Gambhiram facility, which is set to provide Geriatric and Palliative care services to the residents of Visakhapatnam and the neighboring districts. The estimated project cost is around 240 Crores, and Mr. Rao extended his appreciation to all the donors who have contributed to this initiative.

Participants came together and created a human chain that served as a symbol of the Blue Button, acting as both a protective shield and a unifying emblem urging society to recognize the effects of dementia, express empathy, and proactively offer their support.

They held placards and disseminated informative pamphlets regarding dementia, aiming not just to increase awareness but also to establish the groundwork for a compassionate society that is informed and prepared to take meaningful action. Healthcare experts from Andhra Medical College, King George Hospital, Gayatri Medical College, Students of Andhra Medical College, staff, volunteers, and representatives of Sneha Sandhya along with the family of caregivers and senior citizens participated in the event.

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