The aged too have right to live: Iyer

The government, society and family should take care of the aged who too have the  right to live, Justice V R Krishna Iyer has said.

“Society and the government should play a bigger role in safeguarding the health of those suffering from loss of memory and related disorders. The youth should  contribute their might for the cause,” said Iyer who was speaking at a function organised to mark World Alzheimer’s Day on Friday. 

About 700 students, the elderly and people  from different walks of life took part in the Memory Walk organised by Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders Society of India (ARDSI) in Kochi on Friday. Hibi Eden MLA flagged off the walk from  Rajendra Maidan at 2.30 pm which culminated at Marine Drive at 4 pm. Deputy City Police Commissioner T Gopalakrishna Pillai, former Rotary Governor G Vishwnath and Dr Mathew Abraham spoke.

Amrita College of Nursing was chosen as the best team among the colleges that took part for their promotion materials used and uniform team work.  Students of Model Technical School, members of Santhwana Geriatric Centre and many retired people also participated.

Dementia, a symptom of Alzheimer’s disease  often goes unnoticed. This is a chronic degenerative disease of the brain with no known cause and definitive cure as of now.

Over 37 million people are affected with dementia world wide.  In India, the figure is more than 3.7 million at present and is expected to double by 2025.