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 Paula
introduced our Guest today,
Dr Chandrasena, Chief of
Psychiatry at the CK Health
Alliance for 8 years now.
He’s also a Professor at UWO,
and leads a rotation of
medical students. Amongst
all the committees he sits
on & chairs, he does take
time as an avid bridge
player. He resides in
Rondeau with his wife.
Welcome, Dr Chandrasena.
 The
Doctor’s opening – “The
Circle of Life….What is
success?” was far better
than Jim’s turkey jokes,
(Sorry, Jim!)
He
talked about what dementia
is & how it affects the
brain as a disease. There
are several cognitive &
behavioral changes which
we’ve all seen. He likened
the brain to a file cabinet,
where the person receives a
bit of information, tries
to open a drawer, or select
a file to find that response
but does so incorrectly due
to the onset of dementia.
In Ontario now, there is
likely 15-20,000 persons
suffering where the majority
are women. It costs
$10-15,000 to assist a
person if they’re staying
out in the community with
dementia. Costs increase to
$20-30,000 in a hospital or
institution. It’s easy to
see why they wish to develop
services where these people
can live in the community,
endure a better quality of
life plus create some
savings for the healthcare
system.
 Treatment
of dementia is thru a
multidisciplinary approach
where many players like the
family doctor, occupational
nurses & family members play
a role. Some things like
Vitamin E, ginko Bildoa,
estrogen & NSAIDS have been
studied as cures but without
avail. Best evidence now
under study is the omega3
foods.
He
encourages several
activities to reduce the
rate of degeneration - all
things that are good for the
heart are also good for the
brain, (with the exception
of alcohol, he laughs!)
Keep a
good diet. Exercise.
Maintain your blood pressure
& manage your blood
sugars. Keep the brain
stimulated. Watch Wheel of
Fortune & Jeopardy.
Crossword puzzles & even
playing video games with the
grandchildren are all great
activities.
Paula
mentioned that Nov 1 will be
a Memory Screening Day for
those suspecting the onside
of this despiteful disease.
No physician referral is
needed. Done win
partnership with the
Alzheimer’s group.
 Terra
thanked Dr Chandrasena with
a Literary Angels book
“Who’s who in the Brain”.
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Closing thought – vote
today!
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