Empowering Minds Through Awareness: SAS Foundation Hosts Alzheimer’s & Dementia Webinar for Youth and Community
On 24th September 2024, the Swavalamban Avam Swabhimaan Foundation (SAS Foundation), in collaboration with JVEdTechMedovation, organized a pivotal awareness webinar focused on Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia. At the heart of this initiative was a mission not just to inform but to educate, empower, and inspire participants to engage more deeply with pressing public health challenges.
Led by the distinguished Dr. Kunal Bahrani, a renowned neurologist and expert in neurodegenerative disorders, the webinar proved to be an insightful and timely intervention that saw 90+ participants in attendance, including students, caregivers, health professionals, educators, and concerned citizens.
🧠 Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia: Why It Matters
Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia are among the most significant health concerns of our time, particularly as populations age and longevity increases. According to global health reports, dementia currently affects over 55 million people worldwide, and that number is expected to double every 20 years.
Yet, despite these staggering figures, awareness remains critically low. Many families and individuals struggle to recognize early symptoms, access support, or even talk openly about cognitive decline due to social stigma and lack of information.
Through this webinar, SAS Foundation sought to bridge this knowledge gap—starting with youth and community members who can become ambassadors of awareness and compassion.
🩺 The Expert’s Perspective: Dr. Kunal Bahrani’s Key Insights
Dr. Bahrani opened the session by outlining the basic understanding of dementia, emphasizing that it is not a specific disease but a general term describing symptoms that affect memory, thinking, and social abilities severely enough to interfere with daily functioning.
He elaborated on the types of dementia, including:
- Alzheimer’s disease (most common, progressive memory loss)
- Vascular dementia (due to stroke or impaired blood flow)
- Lewy body dementia (involving abnormal protein deposits)
- Frontotemporal dementia (behavioral and personality changes)
Through real-life examples, symptom checklists, and simplified medical explanations, he helped attendees understand early warning signs like memory lapses, difficulty in communication, personality shifts, confusion, and disorientation.
Dr. Bahrani also discussed diagnostic methods, such as MRI scans, cognitive tests, and neurological evaluations, while touching on treatment options, lifestyle changes, and the current state of clinical research and breakthroughs.
🔍 A Space for Questions and Clarity: Interactive Q&A
One of the highlights of the webinar was the interactive Q&A session, where participants could ask direct questions to Dr. Bahrani. Many attendees shared personal experiences, inquired about risk factors, genetic predisposition, and sought advice on how to care for affected family members.
Questions ranged from:
- “Can dementia be prevented?”
- “How early can Alzheimer’s be detected?”
- “What lifestyle changes reduce the risk?”
- “How do you differentiate dementia from general forgetfulness?”
Dr. Bahrani patiently addressed each question, making the session not just educational but also emotionally reassuring. The open dialogue underscored the importance of empathy, early intervention, and community support.
👥 Who Attended—and Why It Mattered
With 90+ participants, the event drew a diverse audience: students studying medicine and psychology, young caregivers looking after elders, teachers interested in child and adolescent mental health, and even volunteers working in rural healthcare outreach.
Many participants expressed gratitude for the session, stating that it brought clarity to a complex topic they had long heard about but never deeply understood. The webinar served as both a learning platform and a community experience, where attendees could share, connect, and feel supported.
🎯 SAS Foundation’s Vision: Health, Awareness & Youth Empowerment
At SAS Foundation, our core mission is to empower youth through education and health. We believe that today’s informed youth are tomorrow’s compassionate leaders. By organizing webinars like this, we aim to:
- Educate communities about critical but often neglected health issues
- Foster compassion and support for vulnerable populations
- Encourage early detection and medical intervention
- Break the stigma surrounding mental and neurological illnesses
This Alzheimer’s and Dementia Awareness Webinar was one of several initiatives in our ongoing health and wellness outreach. Whether it’s through community drives, digital campaigns, or educational sessions, SAS Foundation is committed to a healthier, more informed, and inclusive society.
📣 What Participants Are Saying
“I had no idea dementia had so many forms. This session was eye-opening and has motivated me to volunteer for elderly care.” — Sneha, student participant
“Dr. Bahrani simplified complex concepts so well. I feel much more confident in recognizing early symptoms now.” — Rahul, webinar attendee
“I care for my grandmother who has Alzheimer’s. This webinar gave me hope and a sense of community.” — Anita, caregiver
Such responses reaffirm our belief that awareness is the first step to change.
📬 What’s Next?
We encourage all readers and participants to stay connected with the SAS Foundation as we continue to roll out programs focused on:
- Mental health awareness and self-care tools for youth
- Webinars on non-communicable diseases (NCDs)
- Support networks for caregivers and the elderly
- Community health screenings and educational camps
By subscribing to our newsletter, you will receive exclusive access to expert-led sessions, practical tips, event invites, and stories of impact from across India.
💌 Join Us in Building a Healthier Tomorrow
At a time when neurological health is becoming a global concern, it’s important that we don’t ignore the signs, don’t dismiss the symptoms, and don’t delay the conversations.
We invite you to be a part of this movement. Let’s work together to build a society where health issues are discussed openly, help is available early, and empathy is the norm—not the exception.
Subscribe now to receive updates about our upcoming webinars, health initiatives, and community programs.
Because when we know more, we care more.
And when we care more, we create a better future—together.
