Mangaluru must become age-friendly to help prevent dementia: Dr Prabha Adhikari
Mangalore Today News Network
Mangaluru, Sep 23, 2026: Making Mangaluru an age-friendly city is essential to creating an environment that can help prevent dementia, said People’s Association for Geriatric Empowerment (PAGE) Trustee Dr Prabha Adhikari M R on Tuesday.
Speaking at a programme organised by PAGE at Town Hall to mark World Alzheimer’s Day, Dr Prabha said making Mangaluru age-friendly has been one of the organisation’s key objectives since its launch in 2015.
She said PAGE had applied to the World Health Organization (WHO) global network seeking inclusion of Mangaluru among its age-friendly cities.
“Presently, Kasaragod is the only city in India on the list of age-friendly cities. A city needs to meet 50 quality criteria to be recognised as age-friendly,” she said.
Dr Prabha said PAGE, through the Mangaluru Senior Citizens Association, planned to address issues faced by elderly citizens in a phased manner and work towards making Mangaluru the country’s second age-friendly city. She added that the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) Commissioner had agreed to provide a letter of support.
She also urged senior citizens to remain physically and mentally active, warning that loneliness and depression could contribute to dementia.
Encouraging elderly people to remain socially engaged, she urged them to step out, participate in activities, dance, sing, interact with others and build friendships. Competitions organised by PAGE received an enthusiastic response from around 150 senior citizens, she said, adding that government-organised sporting events had also witnessed good participation.
Dakshina Kannada District Health Officer Dr H R Thimmaiah stressed the need to instil values of caring for elderly people among children, noting the increase in the number of old-age homes in recent years.
Yenepoya Deemed-to-be University Pro Chancellor Dr Vijaya Kumar M said parents too need to adapt to changing times and understand the younger generation.
“We have to adapt and move forward with the next generation if children have to be friendly with us,” he said.
Kiran, a caregiver, shared his personal experience of caring for his mother, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease 12 years ago and died two weeks ago. He urged caregivers to be patient and ensure that Alzheimer’s patients receive love and dignity.
“It is not facilities. Give them love and dignity. Involve them in your conversations. Most importantly, please ensure that caregivers also indulge in self-care,” he said.
PAGE Trustee Dr C V Raghuveer, Father Muller Charitable Institutions Director Fr Faustine Lucas Lobo, Lions International District Governor H M Tharanath, Rotary International District Governor Sathish Bolar, and PAGE Trustees Jerardin D’Souza and Mohan Raj were among those present.