DHA Specialist Shares Tips on Preventing Depression During COVID-19 in Patients with Alzheimer's.

The Seniors’ Happiness Centre’s Alzheimer’s support group to hold awareness event on the occasion of World Alzheimer’s day 2020 

Dubai, UAE, September 20, 2020:  In light of World Alzheimer’s day, the Director of Dubai Health Authority’s (DHA) Seniors’ Happiness Centre stressed the importance of setting a daily routine for all elders, especially those with Alzheimer’s, during COVID-19 to prevent depression amongst them. 

Dr Salwa Al Suwaidi, the Director of Seniors’ Happiness Centre said that among the challenges she noticed was that elders with mild cognitive impairment started having early onset of dementia and depression because of the movement and social restrictions imposed due to the pandemic.

“Elders with mild cognitive impairment were getting depressed, I’ve noticed that in some cases they were even having early onset of dementia. This is because they suddenly couldn’t socialize with one another or go out as much. We have daily activities for the elders at the centre to ensure that they remain socially and mentally alert and happy, so when this all stopped because of the coronavirus it really affected them,” she said. 

Therefore, Dr Al Suwaidi stressed the importance of setting a daily schedule for all elders who stay home highlighting that this is important for both the care giver and the elder. 

“They should wake up at a certain time, have breakfast at a certain time, go for a walk at a set time, etc. This will ensure that they have a fulfilling purposeful day. Having a daily routine will also benefit the care giver in dealing with the case. This is the most important piece of advice that I can give care takers, especially during this period.”  

The Senior’s Happiness Centre is home to 20 inpatients and more than 300 outpatients.

Dr Al Suwaidi said that as of today, 2,465 elders visited the centre in 2020 and benefited from its geriatric clinic, physical medicine and rehabilitation clinic, diet clinic & social activities, to name a few. 

Alzheimer’s Support group holds awareness event 

To further raise awareness among the community about Alzheimer’s and to provide a platform for caregivers to share experiences on how to cope with Alzheimer’s, Dr Al Suwaidi said the centre’s Alzheimer’s Support Group, which was launched in 2013 is holding an event on World Alzheimer’s Day, which falls on September 21 of every year. 

“The centre regularly holds this support group where a multidisciplinary team that educates care givers on how to cope and handle challenges associated with Alzheimer’s. This time, the support group will discuss the social and medical aspects of dementia, rehabilitation in Alzheimer’s, common health problems in elderly, nursing care for Alzheimer’s management, sundown syndrome and the role of family support to name a few. ”

The DHA’s Senior’s Happiness Centre provides in-patient as well as out-patient services and promotes the concept of healthy ageing and proactive geriatric care for the elderly to minimize health complications and to reduce their dependence on caregivers so that they can lead an independent life to the best extent possible.

The centre has an experienced group of doctors, specialists in geriatric medicine, physiotherapy and nutrition, as well as social and guidance specialties. It also has an advanced and sophisticated set of medical equipment, physiotherapy and fitness facilities, as well as facilities and services suitable for the elderly.