By V. Vijayakumar
The Perak Dementia Society, named the “Bebelac Day Centre” was built at a cost of RM4 million thanks to its generous donors.
The centre is located along Jalan Lang in the heart of the city. They provide rehabilitation and other activities for those inflicted with dementia.
Dementia sets in as people age and get older. The common symptoms of dementia are loss of memory, language, problem-solving and other thinking abilities that are severe enough to interfere with daily life.
Meanwhile, among the major donors were Dr/Mrs (Bebe) Lim Eng Cheang. The main mover behind the centre is Dr Esther Ebenezer who is a leading physiatrist.
She is also supported by several senior members in Ipoh, namely Dato Dr Sushil Ratti, Dato Dr Bala Ravi and Dato Dr Sivanesan.
Some of them are also on the board of management of the centre.
Other supporters of the centre are TNB, Perak Turf Club, Inner Wheel Club of Ipoh East, Rotary Clubs of Ipoh and Greentown UniKl Royal College of Medicine, Sports Toto Malaysia along with philanthropic businessmen and doctors.
At the centre, patients get to meet people with the same issues and do activities which help to keep in shape and indulge in activities beneficial to them under the supervision of trained experts.
There are a total of seven full time staff at the centre including a cook, five helpers and a gardener who are supervised by a manager.
Three prominent private hospitals in the city rotate to provide weekly lunches for about 25 pax as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
Other facilities include a gym, karaoke room, games room, dining hall and a hair salon which is visited by a hair stylist on a monthly basis.
Meanwhile, the garden area also offers walking tracks and a reflexology path which are beneficial to the patients.
The centre also provides breakfast, lunch and tea, 5 days a week before being picked up by their family members at the end of the day around 4 to 5pm. They also provide half-day or full day care facilities.
They also have the services of a van which was donated by well wishers to provide transport for those in need.
A physiotherapist visits the centre to attend to the 40 odd clients there to offer exercise and consultation.
Students and trainee nurses from UniKl drop-by on Monday and Fridays to help the clients in their daily activities too.
Those keen to donate or contribute their time to the Perak Dementia Centre can contact 05-506-0806.
