Bela Ravi likes to remember her mother-in-law, Kamala Doraswamy, as the brilliant lady she was before Alzheimer's disease took its toll.
Doraswamy earned two degrees in India at a time when women weren't studying, and she was a high school math and science teacher, Ravi said.
Ten years ago, Doraswamy was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, and while the progression was slowed thanks to medicine, now, at the age of 85, she is a resident at St. Joseph's Continuing Care and doesn't remember her family, or even who she is, Ravi said.
“I used to buy so many books at book sales, because she used to read a book a day,” Ravi said. “We came to a point where she would read the same page over and over again every day, because her memory was gone.”
While caring for her mother-in-law before she became a resident at St. Joe's, Ravi said she found great support and comfort in the Alzheimer Society Sudbury-Manitoulin North Bay and Districts.
Doraswamy attended the society's day program for five years, starting at two days a week, then five days a week as the disease took its toll.
“It's an amazing program for $20 a day, which includes their meal,” Ravi said. “They keep them occupied and engaged. Taking care of someone with Alzheimer's disease 24 hours a day, seven days a week is not easy, so it provided some respite for us. Honestly, it was a godsend for us.”
Ravi said a lot of people, when she tells them about the society, don't even know it exists.
“I didn't know about it or its services until I needed them,” she said. “And, while doctors are promoting the society and its services, I think it still needs a little more attention.”
That's why the Ravi family will host a traditional East Indian Dinner at the Cambrian College Student Centre Sept. 14. All proceeds will go directly to the Alzheimer Society Sudbury-Manitoulin North Bay & Districts.
Dr. Samir Sinha, director of geriatrics at Mount Sinai hospital, will be in attendance as guest speaker.
“I want people to know they have help if they need it,” Ravi said. “The society sets you on the right path, and provides guidance and care.”
The mission of the Alzheimer Society is to alleviate the personal and social consequences of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, and to improve the quality of life for our clients, their families and caregivers. One out of every 10 seniors is living with a form of dementia, but increasingly people in their 40s and 50s are being diagnosed.
“I don't think I could have kept my mother-in-law at home for as long as we did if the Alzheimer Society didn't exist,” shes said. “My aim is to highlight that this place exists for people who are in a similar situation as myself, but might not know about what services are available to them.”
Tickets are on sale for $150. Reserve yours by phoning 705-560-0603.
