Central Bank of Barbados starts One-Cent Coin Drive to raise funds for victims of Alzheimer’s

by AirBourne / July 27th, 2012

The Central Bank, Rotary Club of Barbados West and the Alzheimer’s Association are embarking on a One-Cent Coin Drive to raise funds for the victims of Alzheimer’s.

President of the Barbados Alzheimer’s Association – Pamelia Brereton

Usually, people hear of Alzheimer’s and Dementia as two separate entities, are they? We posed this to Dr Ermine Belle, a specialist who informed the audience it is actually the same thing. When we had an interview afterwards, we asked if stress can bring on Alzheimer’s any faster? Her answer was rather simple yet chilling {CLICK ON FOLLOWING LINK FOR FULL AUDIO};-

Stress is a major factor – simple events like travelling and arriving in a new location or being treated with minor surgery for lesser ailments can bring on full-blown symptoms.

Dr Ermine Belle explaining some of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s during the Q&A session

Dr Belle told Bajan Reporter she’d like to see more done for Alzheimer’s not just by way of this fundraiser but to study the root causes of Alzheimer’s here in Barbados, especially with the population so long-lived {CLICK ON FOLLOWING LINK FOR FULL AUDIO};-

Research is a crucial component in seeking to control Alzheimer’s – while more and more centenarians speaks to better health, it also makes for more likelihood of families having to diminish productivity by caring for previous generations.

(L to R) Ashley Lythcott of LT Gay Primary, Past President of Rotary West – Oliver Jordan and Dep. Gov. of the CBB – Cleviston Haynes viewing a video clip which was part of Ms Brereton’s presentation

The doctor indicated some patients try to hide their affliction, yet even when confronted with the reality still do not wish to admit defeat even for something as practical as using Adult Diapers since body functions are also affected {CLICK ON FOLLOWING LINK FOR FULL AUDIO};-

When Adult Diapers are needed many patients refuse to accept they’re necessary since this means a loss of control in their view – however, since Alzheimer’s affects the brain and its regulation of systems then this is just what they need but changes have to be gradual.

The goal is five million cents or $50,000 and pennies are not the only donations they’re accepting the monies go to the Alzheimer’s Association of Barbados in creating a Day Care facility for people who live with this most common form of dementia – it would allow families and caretakers time to destress for caring people who were known with sharper minds and pnce more self-sufficient yet now in turn needing help.

US author Tom Robbins once said you’re never too late for a happy childhood, which is on par with the Bible’s aphorism about getting into the Kingdom of Heaven – this child showed everyone early Leadership potential and followed it up with action, she was one of the first to place coins in the collection box for the commencement of the drive which is to go on to year-end.

Pamelia Brereton, President of the Alzheimer’s Association of Barbados, spoke at the Tom Adams Financial Centre and says developing a centre will help drastically with easing those who look after sufferers of this mental disability {CLICK ON FOLLOWING LINK FOR FULL AUDIO};-

Caretakers often feel more burnout than sufferers do, by having a facility where family and friends can leave their loved ones under supervision allows for a relaxation which benefits all involved. The President also recommends for sufferers of Alzheimer’s to be exposed to culture and music to keep their brains active and delay the onset of dementia.

Here’s 9 year old Ashley Lythcott of Lawrence T. Gay Primary whose 69 year old Grandmother suffers from Alzheimer’s, Ashley’s appeal is simple yet very moving.

Estherline O’Neale of the CBB presents a cheque of $1,000 to Pamelia Brereton to give the drive “Make Sense of Cents” an extra jump start

Deputy Governor of the Central Bank Cleviston Haynes, told particiapnts that too often the Central Bank reorders pennies without seeing a recirculation, in order to resume the life of these discarded coins the charity drive was developed {CLICK ON FOLLOWING LINK FOR FULL AUDIO};-

The CBB orders 20 million pennies a year and yet barely sees any from a given year reach back to the Tom Adams Financial Centre, so with this initiative not only do they hope to recover cents, but make sense of their re-circulation by making this significant donation.

Collection points are across Barbados including both SOL & Shell stations and other petrol outlets, the Small Business Association, Jordan’s Supermarkets and the Barbados Chamber of Commerce & Industry among many others…