In aid of patients and care givers of Alzheimer’s disease

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WHEN a person gets old and forgetful we brush it off by saying that it comes with the age, but lying beneath the memory loss is a disease many are unaware of.

The Alzheimer’s disease is an illness affecting the brain nerve cells which are essential for the patients’ normal daily routines.

As time goes by, patients lose the ability to perform simple tasks like brushing their teeth, bathing and putting on their clothes.

Adults behave like children leaving care givers (children and other family members) at a loss to care for them.

To help these care givers, the Alzheimer’s Disease Foundation Malaysia (ADFM) has three daycare centres — Taman Seputeh, KL, in PJ as well as one in Johor Baru.

Coming together: Wendy Ong (right), handing over the mock ticket to The Star executive editor Leanne Goh. Looking on are ADFM Board of Trustee President Datuk Jeffrey C. H. Ng (second from right), chartered trustee of ADFM Dr Aishah Ong (centre) and Dr Yim.

In order to replenish their funds to continue supporting the patients and their families, the ADFM will hold a gala charity concert “Unforgettable: Konsert Amal di-Raja on Nov 14 and 15.

The concert is being held in conjunction with the 64th Birthday of the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah who will grace the gala concert on Nov 15.

During a press conference, the patron of the ADFM, Puan Seri Wendy Ong said the concert was aptly named to signify the struggles of the patients and their care givers.

“Caring for a loved one with the disease is so demanding it feels like there’s 36 hours in a day instead of 24.

“Thus we want to encourage the setting up of more daycare centres to provide support and care for this community,” said Ong.

According to ADFM executive committee chairman Datuk Dr Yim Khai Kee, both the centres in KL and PJ needed at least half a million ringgit a year for maintenance.

“Every month we need at least RM175,000 to help support the centre and pay our staff,” he added.

The Star is the media partner apart from other sponsors like SP Setia, Innovate Solution and Axcess Ticket.

Among the stars set to perform are virtuoso violinist Jessica Lee from the United States and Malaysian singer Sean Ghazi.

Early bird discount of 10% for the first two weeks started on Sept 30. Tickets for the charity concert night on Nov 14 are priced from RM83 to RM383, while tickets for the royal charity gala night on Nov 15 are set between RM100 and RM1,200. Visa Platinum, Infinite and Signature cardholders can enjoy a 20% discount for a maximum of four tickets for the first two weeks (starting Sept 30). Tickets are available through all Axcess outlets.