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BHUBANESWAR, SEPTEMBER 21, 2025
On the occasion of World Alzheimer’s Day, the Bhubaneswar chapter of the Alzheimer’s & Related Disorders Society of India (ARDSI) led a vibrant and informative campaign aimed at community engagement and public awareness on dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Early in the morning, Buddha Jayanti Park in Niladri Vihar came alive with activity as over 150 morning walkers of various age groups participated in interactive sessions with leading psychologists and dementia care experts. The program encouraged curiosity and awareness, with many eager to learn about dementia prevention and mental well-being. Participants enthusiastically took part in memory games designed to test and train cognitive abilities, with prizes awarded to winners.
Psychologists including Dr. Nidhee Garg from Kalinga Hospital, Manisha Mishra, and Seselsa Sen offered expert insights into the differences between dementia and Alzheimer’s, tips on prevention, and holistic brain health. The sessions fostered open dialogue with the public, who asked pointed questions on memory loss, elder care, and early signs of cognitive decline.
Lucy Patnaik and Banita Mahapatra, trustees of Silver Age Foundation for Elders and trained in dementia care, sensitized the audience to the day-to-day challenges faced by patients and caregivers. “The brain is one of the most neglected organs in our body — it cannot be seen, and its decay is often painless, which makes the condition even more dangerous,” shared Patnaik.
Later in the day, the awareness campaign shifted to a livelier setting — Utkal Galleria Mall at Kalpana Square — where the spotlight was on senior citizens. In a touching and empowering display, elderly members of Silver Age Foundation for Elders performed dance routines and chorus songs, showcasing that an active lifestyle is key to dementia prevention. In a surprise move, they staged a flash mob, drawing cheers and participation from amused and supportive mall-goers.
The mall event also featured an interactive public session led by Dr. Soma Mishra, who addressed dementia-related concerns and reiterated the importance of mental activity, social engagement, and early detection. The overall coordination was spearheaded by Dillip Das, Executive Director of Silver Age Foundation for Elders, and managed by Prelude Events.
These extensive programs held during World Alzheimer’s Month were supported by a CSR initiative of CSM Technologies Ltd., a global IT solutions provider. Lagna Pany, Director of CSM Technologies, emphasized the company’s commitment to inclusivity and elder care. “With increasing longevity, addressing elder-related issues has become more important than ever,” she said.
Founded in 2017, the Silver Age Foundation for Elders remains Odisha’s only organization working exclusively for the empowerment and well-being of senior citizens. The foundation operates a healthy aging centre offering a wide array of activities including yoga, music, digital literacy, legal awareness, and more. It also manages the Bhubaneswar chapter of ARDSI, India’s premier national body focused on dementia care since 1992, with 20 chapters nationwide.
Dementia and Alzheimer’s, though highly stigmatized and growing rapidly in prevalence, remain severely under-addressed in Odisha. With nuclear family structures and longer lifespans, nearly one crore Indians above the age of 60 are now estimated to be affected by dementia. Bhubaneswar and Odisha currently lack dedicated facilities for care, and awareness remains critically low.
As medical science has yet to find a cure, the call for early diagnosis, active engagement, and public awareness has never been more urgent — and the events in Bhubaneswar on World Alzheimer’s Day offered a significant step forward in that direction.
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