‘Three Of Us,’ is garnering massive praise for shedding light on the perils of living with dementia, and caring for and dealing with someone who has dementia. Starring Shefali Shah, Jaideep Ahlawat, and Swanand Kirkire, the movie talks about a significant aspect affected by dementia, which is memory.
Providing a definition, the Centres for Disease Control And Prevention states, ‘Dementia is not a specific disease but is rather a general term for the impaired ability to remember, think, or make decisions that interfere with doing everyday activities.’
Simply put, as dementia takes over gradually, the person starts losing their memories and eventually gets lost within their mind. Dementia can put a person and those around them through painful and often dangerous situations, as patients with dementia can not be trusted with their safety, let alone of those around them. Additionally, losing a grip on one’s memories and sense of self can bring forth intense emotional turmoil that affects their loved ones alike.
This is beautifully portrayed by Shah in ‘Three Of Us,’ as her character embarks on a journey with her husband (portrayed by Kirkire) to reconnect with her childhood before she loses all her memories. The trip brings along a nostalgic, romantic entanglement with a long-lost friend (portrayed by Ahlawat), providing a closer look at the complexities of this disease. Kirkire is also being commended for his portrayal of a dutiful husband, struggling with the emotional burden of dealing with her wife’s condition.
Taking Care Of Yourself: Tips For Dementia Caregivers
To help caregivers cope with supporting a person living with dementia, the team of OnlyMyHealth spoke to Mr Sanjeev Kumar Jain, CEO and Founder, Nema Eldercare. He said, “Caring for a dementia patient can be exhausting. To prevent burnout, caregivers should see help from mental health experts and support groups to not feel alone and isolated.”
“Educating yourself about dementia can help you deal with its progression, so you can evolve care techniques and adapt to the changing needs of the patient,” he added.
Some more essential tips, provided by Alzheimers.gov are:
- Do not hesitate to ask for help or expect it from your family and friends. You can also reach out to local healthcare providers to help you care for someone living with dementia.
- Have healthy, balanced meals to keep your energy up to deal with the challenges of being a caregiver.
- Take breaks, especially if you feel overwhelmed.
- Work out whenever you can to keep yourself active and fit. Working out can be relaxing and soothing against negative thoughts.
- Do not give up on your hobbies.
- Seek help from a mental health expert to cope with stress and anxiety.
We need more movies like ‘Three Of Us,’ that illuminate and destigmatise, prevalent and incurable conditions like dementia. Maybe heightened awareness can help caregivers not only support people living with this illness but also help them take care of their emotional and mental well-being.
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