No fewer than 500 aged persons on Friday received free medical care from the Alzheimer’s Disease Foundation (ADF), in collaboration with Alzheimer’s Disease Association of Nigeria (ADAN), in Anambra.
Dr Chidi Okereke, National Secretary of ADAN, said this at the end of a three-day medical outreach, tagged “Working and Walking the Talk on Dementia”, held in Awka on Friday.
Okereke said the outreach was aimed at imparting good health to the aging population in the rural communities.
Medical experts were drawn from the Koninklijke Nederlabdse Centrale Vereniging (KNCV), World Health Organisation, Diocesan Hospital, Amichi, Global Foundation Ageing Research Centre, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, among others.
Beneficiaries got free consultation, treatments, eye care and eye glasses, Tuberculosis screening, cholesterol test, drugs, sugar test, blood test, free memory check, Blood Pressure stress, free COVID-19 screening, health talks.
Okereke commended Iyom Josephine Anenih, Founder of ADF, who had sponsored the outreach for many years and her love to the elderly, especially those in her community, Amawbia, near Awka.
The medical expert advised persons of 40 years and above to come to its Amawbia Centre every Tuesdays and Thursdays for medical advice and recreation.
“We found out that Alzheimer’s disease has no cure, but we also discovered that nonpharmacologic means such as games and others have been found to reduce the progression of the disease.
“And with special thanks to the founder who is giving us the enabling environment, it has been a wonderful opportunity. I also give special thanks to all the partners for ensuring that the outreach is a success,” he said.
Dr Onyinye Nwagbo, an oculist, said that the increasing eye problems is as a result of the Nigerian weather environment.
Nwagbo cautioned against over exposure of the naked eyes to computers, televisions and the sun and encouraged sunglasses and face caps.
“We should go for eye checks at least twice a year, many of us don’t do it,” she said.
On her part, the sponsor, Aneni, called on the young ones to continue to support the aged around them as aging was a blessing.
“Old age is a blessing, everybody looks forward to it. We are proud and happy when God grants us such an opportunity in life.
“These people are the reasons for who we are today, do not look down on them. It is time to reciprocate the gesture by giving them a sense of belonging and always making them happy.
“The ADF Amawbia has recreational activities where the aged can play games, tell stories, meet old friends and make new younger ones.
“These things help to reduce the feeling of loneliness in them,” Aneni said.
A beneficiary, 81-year-old Mr Charles Amazuiro said he was happy for the free services he received and thanked the foundation for contributing to make them healthier and stronger.
