A Brief But Spectacular take on memory loss and healthy aging

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• John Yang:

  DY Suharya is the founder of Alzheimer's Indonesia and the regional director of Alzheimer's Disease International for the Asia Pacific Region. When her mother was diagnosed with dementia, Suharya became her caregiver. Today, she's raising awareness for dementia and improving quality of life for both patients and their caregivers.

  Tonight, Suharya shares her Brief But Spectacular take on memory loss and healthy aging.

  DY Suharya, Founder of Alzheimer's Indonesia: My mom's favorite song is You Are My Sunshine my only sunshine. You make me happy when skies gray. You never know dear how much I love you. Please don't take my sunshine away. My mom was diagnosed with dementia. But whenever we sing that song, she will clap her hands. Her body will move and she's alive.

  I grew up in Jakarta, Indonesia. I'm the youngest in the family and I have a very strong bonding with my mom. When my mom was diagnosed with dementia. My dad called me. I was pursuing my Ph.D. in Australia and I had to choose between pursuing a Ph.D. or my mom. I went back home. I became a full-time caregiver. I felt so lucky to have the opportunity to take care of her before she passed away.

  I think it was an early grieving without knowing that that's grieving. The misconception is dementia is a normal part of aging. It is not a normal part of aging at all. Dementia is a neurodegenerative disease affecting memory, executive decision and other brain function. There is no cure yet. So we need to focus on providing high quality care.

  When I've decided to take up the role as a caregiver in my family together with my dad. It's a full-time job that's affecting not only the person with dementia, but also the entire family, burn out is one of the highest problem on caregivers which led me to establish Alzheimer's Indonesia. Alzheimer's Indonesia aims to improve quality life of people with dementia and family caregivers. The focus is on living positively. Not focusing on what they cannot do, focusing on what they can do. Involve them, ask them to participate, be a part of a community.

  I'd like to see a dementia-friendly and aging-friendly society. I think people in general might think that being old is frail, weak, isolated, lonely, but at the end of the day, it's just the mindset. I don't think of growing old, I think of evolving, I think of contributing. And I thank my mom for giving me this opportunity through her disease to help other families so they can navigate their journey of caring. My name is DY Suharya and this is my Brief But Spectacular take on memory loss and healthy aging.