Worst hit: Dementia during coronavirus

COVID 19 continues its unrelenting march. With more than 40 million confirmed cases and more than a million deaths world-wide, the devastation in the wake of the virus is inexorable.

While no one is spared, its effect on those with dementia is unparalleled as highlighted in the Alzheimer’s Society Report – Worst hit: dementia during coronavirus.

LAF no doubt is challenged in the circumstances. Having reopened the activity centre for our dear clients in September after nearly six months, we are compelled to have frequent closures as the virus rears its ugly head from time to time. Uncertainty is ubiquitous. We are saddened that many of our clients have deteriorated over the past six months and unable to continue at the activity centre. Some have even passed away. Perhaps, social isolation too was a factor in hastening these outcomes.

We continue, nevertheless, with our implacable mission. We had a successful virtual walk – ‘Memorable Steps 2020’ which culminated with a group of us scaling the historical Sigiriya rock on September 21 to mark World Alzheimer’s day. We thank all those who supported the virtual walk by their participation.

Ayubo.life provided the online platform gratis and worked tirelessly to enable its success. We were able to raise awareness related to Alzheimer’s and other dementias thanks to our media sponsors, Wijeya Newspapers and the Capital Maharaja group.

Our special thanks go to Rishini Weeraratne and her team at the Daily Mirror online for their brilliant effort round the clock with interviews, videos, write ups and social media publicity. They were ably supported by an accomplished team from Dentsu Grant who came up with the logos, graphics and branding strategy.

All these efforts were free of charge. Generous sponsorships from Lassana Flora, Quantum Fitness, Cinnamon, Jetwing, Hilton, Galadari, Shangri-la, Serendib Hotels, Bolt Gear, Celcius, Sanoki, Eyecare and Cutting Station enabled us to give exciting gifts to our winners.

We congratulate the 67 participants who received these gifts. We are also appreciative of the magnanimous sponsorships by Maliban, Janashakthi life, First Capital and Just kids.

Finally, I end this message with special thanks to Yasmin Cader, who managed this event for us. Her vivacious and dynamic personality has been a key factor in the success of all the events that LAF has been conducting over the years. She has decided to step down from the Board of Directors.

Her public relations leadership and publicity efforts from LAFs inception will be sorely missed. We hope however that she will remain in the shadows supporting the board with her expertise and raising sponsorships as before, in the years to come.

– Prof Shehan Williams,

President,

Lanka Alzheimer’s Foundation.

(Shehan Williams works as a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry, University of Kelaniya).