Anantha Soukhya, a forum of Seva Bharathi for serving the Senior Citizens organized a talk on “Music Therapy in preventing Dementia” at 4.00 pm in the conference hall of Chetana Child Development Centre. Dr. Vijayalakshmi Subramaniam, Professor and Unit Chief of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology (Head and Neck Surgery), Yenepoya Medical College, Deralakatte, the speaker inaugurated the session by lighting the lamp along with the dignitaries on the dais; Shri H. Nagaraj Bhat (Honorary Secretary) & Shri P. Vinod Shenoy (Treasurer) of Seva Bharathi and Shri Umesh Shenoy (convenor of Anantha Soukhya). The speaker using ppt presentation explained the various reasons/causes of dementia. It is not curable but can be prevented or controlled. Involving the audience, the doctor by singing, clapping & dancing on popular classical songs specially composed in raag ‘maalkauns’ made the audience also to feel the changes. The audience also asked to sing/clap/step on the songs of their choice and experience the effects in the body which improves brain/memory functioning. Among other techniques, speaker advised that the music therapy like singing or listening songs, bhajans, playing musical instruments have been considered most effective method in Dementia management and engaging in music has been proven to prevent the onset of dementia and slowdown its further deterioration. The talk benefitted 116 participants. The doctor also inaugurated the “Deepawali exhibition and Sale Counter” of Diyas and other handmade items by the children of Chetana Special School arranged in their premises.
