Program Manager– Dr. Soumya  Hegde

The Nightingale’s Center for Ageing and Alzheimer’s was inaugurated on the 24th April 2010. The center is located in Kasturinagar, just about 6 km from M.G Road.

The Nightingale’s Medical Trust has been involved in numerous projects for the elderly for well over a decade.  Over this time, we began to realize that a major problem with increasing longevity is dementia and that it takes a huge toll on the caregivers.  Currently, in India, there are about 3,20,000 elders affected by this disease and this figure is expected to almost double in 20 years.  In Bangalore alone, the estimated number of patients is about 30,000.

Services Offered

Memory Clinic for Screening &  Assessment:  The services include multidisciplinary specialist assessment, diagnosis and follow-up, information and education. These are valuable to the patients and carers who attend this clinic. The importance of early diagnosis and education can never be underestimated, particularly in dementia as this provides recognition of the disease itself and a tangible point of contact for carers who can be alleviated from burden of caregiving early and the patient can be rehabilitated early.

Long Term Care – In advanced stages of Dementia, the patients become totally dependent on care givers and need round the clock care. Difficult behaviors may also set in.  Providing the care they need at home becomes almost impossible.  The decision to move a loved one into long term care is difficult, but in the best interest of the patient it becomes essential.  At the center, we have staff trained in dementia care and who have the ability to manage the difficult behaviors without having to resort to sedating medication.  A therapeutic  and secure environment is also provided. Non-pharmacological interventions are given priority.

Short Term / Respite Care:  This is a great relief to the caregiver, particularly when they need to go out of station or just want a break from caring for a short period.  You can rest be assured that your loved one will be well cared for.

Day Care – If looking after the person with dementia during the day is a problem due to work constraints, you can avail of day care service.  We will provide patients activities to keep them occupied and entertained.  This also provides us an opportunity to assess them in a different environment and gives them a platform to interact socially with our other patient.

Acute assessment:  Sometimes dementia presents with very challenging behaviors.  The reasons for this could be many, but it is important to assess and treat those behaviors if possible so that you can continue to care for your loved one at home.  This would be a short term admission just until the patient is more settled.

Fitness and Rehabilitation – The importance of physical fitness cannot be overruled at any age. Hence this centre which focuses on holistic approach for the elderly provides range of physiotherapy exercises as well as therapies for management of issues related to ageing. The concept of healthy ageing in reinforced through our fitness and rehabilitation centre which is open both for dementia patients and needy elders. Additional consultations with neurologist and physiotherapist can also be arranged. In addition to the above the center will also offer· Short term admission for rehabilitation following stroke, fractures and for Parkinson’s disease.

Training – We provide training of caregivers both professional as well as family members, with hands on practice.  Training of trainers is a specialty of this programme. We have technical collaboration with Alzheimer’s Australia, WA. We render dementia specific training for various caregivers including care managers at various facilities.

Elders Enrichment Centre – Besides Alzheimer’s Care, the Centre has an Elders Enrichment Wing with planned facilities and activities, addressing the physical, medical, emotional, economic and social needs of the elderly.  The purpose of the Enrichment Center is to keep elders active both mentally and physically for their overall wellbeing.

Research – This centre will have special focus on the efficacy of indigenous medicines for managing age-related ailments and Alzheimer’s.

Awareness – In spite of the huge numbers affected by this illness, the awareness about the nature of the illness and the support systems available to caregivers is lacking.  To fill this gap, we have recently launched the Mobile Memory Screening Unit which proposes to visit places where there are groups of elderly people such as old age homes, senior citizen clubs, etc.  Interested individuals can call and ask for this service (minimum requirement 20 elderly people to be screened).  If screening indicates a problem, then a more detailed assessment will be arranged to rule out dementia.  The screening takes under 7 minutes.

Facilities include:

ACTIVITIES: Patients who come to the centre can enjoy a range of meaningful and enjoyable activities in a therapeutic environment. The spectrum of activities include art, music, pet, reminiscence, out-door and in-door games, and movement. Occupational-therapy based activities enhance their day-to-day functioning are also incorporated. These activities are individualized and in accordance to the care-plan which is formulated by the multidisciplinary team upon admission.

TRAINING: Nightingales Centre for Ageing and Alzheimer’s offers Effective Dementia Care Training. This is a 3-day intensive training program for caregivers, both professional and family. This course is run in collaboration with Alzheimer’s Australia, WA. The course offers both theoretical as well as hands-on training.

SNOEZELEN ROOM: For people who have Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia, over stimulating their senses—touch, sound, smell, taste, and sight—can help them reconnect with their environment. Snoezelen or multisensory stimulation, provides sensory stimuli to stimulate the primary senses through the use of lighting effects, tactile surfaces, meditative music and the odour of relaxing essential oils. This allows them to react better to their environment and to the people who are part of it, and to experience inner peace and contentment.

SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT: The centre is set in a calm residential locality with abundant greenery around it. The additional features include water fountain, a kitchen garden, and gazebo to relax.

PERSONAL GROOMING AND THERAPY: We provide personal grooming facilities including hair-cut, hair-coloring, manicure, pedicure, massage, and aromatherapy.

Contact Details:

Nightingale’s Center for Ageing and Alzheimer’s (NCAA)
#8P6, 3^rd-A Cross,
East of NGEF Layout,
Kasturinagar, Banaswadi
Bangalore – 560043
Phone:080 – 65356535, 080 – 42426565
Timings: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Email ID:  nightingalesmt@gmail.com
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