Two renowned classical artists, Dushyanthi Perera (Cello) and Ramya de Livera Perera (Piano) will join hands this coming Thursday 22nd at the Lionel Wendt theatre to lend their helping hands to the cause of dementia. The Charity concert organized in aid of the Lanka Alzheimer’s Foundation is also a tribute to the famed classical musician and conductor Dr Earle de Fonseka. The concert promises be a treat for classical music enthusiasts with the duo performing many lively classics from the baroque, romantic and modern periods.
Dementia is a silent disease wreaking despair in the lives of those affected by the condition and their caregivers. The 7th leading cause of death today in the world, its impact on the lives of those with the condition and their families is devastating. A person with dementia may live many years progressing through the various stages of the illness, eventually losing their mind completely, hence the word ‘de- mens (mind in latin)’. Dementia is no respecter of persons, and we may all get the disease at some stage of our lives if we live long enough! With no cure for the condition yet we have no choice but to prevent or delay the onset of the condition. And support those with the condition live meaningful lives as long as they can.
Lanka Alzheimer’s Foundation (LAF) provides therapeutic support and day care for persons with dementia at their model activity center in Maradana. Furthermore, they offer counselling support, carer support, memory screening to identify dementia early and information material on supporting a person with dementia. They also work with the community, promoting active lifestyles to prevent dementia and encouraging elders’ groups to identify persons with dementia and care for them appropriately. LAF provides all these services free of charge due to generous donations from caring individuals mainly in Sri Lanka.