Remember Us 3.0 – MSAI India

Name of the activity: Remember Us 3.0.

Country/NMO: MSAI India

Program: Healthy Lifestyles & Non-Communicable Diseases

Contact information: contact [email protected] to get in touch with the Activity Coordinator

Type of the activity: First-time Activity

Category: Campaign

Focus area: Prevention of NCDs and Health Promotion

Sustainable Development Goals addressed: SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)

General description:

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other forms of dementia are a growing public health problem among the elderly in developing countries, whose aging population is increasing rapidly. Through Remember Us, we reach out to the geriatric population and their primary caregivers in hospitals, old age homes, etc and spread awareness about the early warning signs of Alzheimer’s Disease, evidence based prevention strategies as well as ways to cope with symptoms for people living with AD and their caregivers. 

Problem statement:

India houses more than 4 million people suffering from some form of dementia. Alzheimer’s being the most common condition out of all of them affects around 1.6 million. Alarmingly, this number is set to triple by 2050! With such a large burden of AD, identification of warning signs and evidence based prevention strategies must be spread amongst the target population to combat this silent epidemic.

Target groups:

• General population
• People with disabilities
• Elderly people

Beneficiaries:

• General population
• Doctors
• People with disabilities
• Elderly people

Objectives:

1. To train at least 50 volunteers about the warning signs, effects and treatment approach for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia using a powerpoint presentation in a span of 6 months
2. To make at least 200 people, above the age of 50 years, aware about alzheimers, dementia and its symptoms with the help of posters delivered by a volunteer in a span of 6 months.
3. To discuss with 200 members of the target population various ways to approach a patient with dementia/early Alzheimer’s using posters in a span of 6 months.
4. To make at least 200 people above the age of 50 years, aware about depression, loneliness, and other mental health problems commonly faced by the geriatric population, and easy ways to manage these problems through a 15-20 minutes guided group discussion in 6 months.
5. To bust myths related to Alzheimer’s disease and increase awareness about various age related health issues through the help of social media infographics on World Alzheimers’ Day.

Indicators of Success:

1. General Indicators
2. Number of on ground events :- minimum 10
3. Number of target population reached:- minimum 200
4. Number of impressions on social media:- minimum 200
5. Testimonials of elderly post event receive:- minimum 10

1. Specific Indicators
2. More than 60% of volunteers are able to participate in the awareness session about the warning signs, effects and treatment approach of alzheimers 
3. More than 50% of the target population can identify symptoms & signs of alzheimers and dementia.
4. More than 50% can state measures to reduce risk
5. More than 50% of the target population is aware about health problems commonly faced by the geriatric population, and about easy ways to manage these problems.

Methodology:

Step 1 – Pre event session 

Organisers conduct a brief session on AD with team of volunteers. Discuss symptoms, risk factors and treatment options using the presentation provided before conducting the event

Step 2 – Awareness session 

Using the posters, and group discussion guide, the target population are addressed about the warning signs of early alzheimers and  ways to take care of themselves, self care tips and common myths about Alzheimer’s amongst the target population are debunked.

Also people who may identify with these signs are urged to go to the hospital to get an Alzheimer’s evaluation done for early diagnosis. 

Step 3 – Post event

Post Event Questionnaires assess the person’s knowledge on the information provided, to be filled by all attendees. 

Participant reflections are recorded as video testimonials

Plans for evaluation:

1. Quantitative evaluation: We will evaluated the data of the responses of the post event questionnaires and statistically correlated the results with the success indicators and the objectives to measure the impact.
2. Qualitative evaluation: Feedback by the target audience through testimonials, volunteer satisfaction and reflections by the organisers post the event.

External collaborations:

none