Anusha David spotlights the hottest styles and statements in and around Sri Lanka – from political leaders to celebrity CEOs, masters of the game to fashion icons and stars of the silver screen and stage. Here are society’s leaders talking about the determination, vision, smarts, competence and professionalism. Today, she speaks to Lorraine Yu and Yasmin Cader.
Staunchly dedicated to the cause since 2001, Lorraine Yu the Founding Executive Director and President of the Lanka Alzheimers Foundation (LAF) has put so much of herself into the cause that the two are synonymous . For the last 14 years and more Lorraine has dedicated herself to raising awareness of Alzheimer’s which according to the WHO, is no longer a disease connected to old age, instead people as young as 40 have been diagnosed with this incurable but controllable disease. “Sri Lanka is ill prepared to handle the escalating number of patients, while the limited resources available and lack of awareness of the disease is a further stumbling block”.
Yasmin Cader who has long been a familiar figure and the face of many 5 star hotels in Colombo has been associated with the LAF since its inception and apart from her Event Management work, upholds Lorraine and the LAF in all their endeavours.
With all that the Alzheimer’s Foundation has to offer, there is some hope for the many thousands suffering from Alzheimer’s here in Sri Lanka.
What first sparked your interest in Alzheimer’s?
Lorraine : During a visit to Singapore in 1999 we met Lina Ma, who was working at the Alzheimer’s Association, Singapore. It was Lina who encouraged my husband and I to start an Alzheimer’s Association in Sri Lanka.
What motivated you to set up Alzheimer’s in Sri Lanka?
Lorraine : During the 1 ½ years of pre-incorporation (September 1999 to March 2001) of the Lanka Alzheimer’s Foundation we realized that there was little or no awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias in Sri Lanka – education/raising awareness was so needed in order to improve the quality of life of persons living with dementia and their family carers.
You have virtually single handedly raised the awareness of Alzheimer’s in Sri Lanka, can you name two people who helped you achieve your goal?
Lorraine : There have been many hundreds of volunteers who have assisted me over the last thirteen years to raise awareness on the annual ‘Dementia Awareness Campaign’ – It is not possible for me to single out two people.
What do the government and related authorities need to do to create a better support structure for patients suffering from Alzheimers?
Lorraine : The government needs to declare dementia a health priority. The Lanka Alzheimer’s Foundation needs to play an advocacy role vis a vis stakeholders and policy makers. I believe that the person most qualified on our Board to play that role is Dr. Shehan Williams. Dr. Williams is the Head of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Kelaniya and works at the Ragama Hospital. LAF needs to partner with like-minded organisations to lobby for change – “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much”. The first WHO Ministerial Conference on Global Action Against Dementia was held in Geneva in March this year. Dr. Rasanjalee Hettiarachchi, Deputy Director, Mental Health represented the Ministry and as a result of that conference, the topic for the annual Mental Health Forum in December 2015 organized by the Ministry of Health will look at how we can create ‘Dementia Friendly Communities’. To support the Ministry we have offered them the use of our auditorium and premises on a complimentary basis.
Sri Lanka has one of the fastest ageing populations in the region –the Alzheimer’s Disease International 2014 Report on ‘Dementia in the Asia Pacific Region’ estimates that there are currently 147,000 people living with dementia and that figure will rise to 462,000 by the year 2050. Many families live in ignorance and denial. There is a great demand for residential care facilities for elders, not just for persons with dementia. We need a Government Regulatory body to set standards for these homes and training for carers to ensure that elders living in these homes have some quality of life. In the UK it is mandatory that residential facilities meet with 39 standards! Inspectors need to carry out spot checks on residential care facilities just as Health Inspectors carry out spot checks on restaurants.
How many patients do you help out on an average for a week?
Lorraine : We refer to our service users as our Clients. The Activity Centre is open three days a week and we register no more than 18 clients a day and have one volunteer to three clients. We have introduced a person centred approach – trying our best to give our clients what they need. We focus on providing love, care and support, which has positive results. Very often non pharmacological interventions can be far more beneficial than pharmacological interventions. Our services are extended only to those who have been diagnosed with dementia.The Foundation also conducts Memory Screening and Assessments every fortnight – we advocate that all seniors should take the test annually.
You have had a major career shift from Corporate Communications in 5 star hotels to now being involved in the Alzheimers Foundation, what led to this?
Yasmin : Actually it was while being in the hotel industry that I was invited to join the Alzheimer’s Foundation. It also coincided with my mother being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. I have been with the Foundation since Day One. Our launch was at Barefoot in October 2001. Even when working at the hotel I was with the Foundation and it has been very rewarding for me.
Do you miss the glitter and glamour of your former job?
Yasmin : Not really. It’s a phase of your life. When you are there in the limelight, well you are there and you are needed, but when you are out of it, you are not and that’s understandable. I have always been a very flexible, adaptable person, and we all have to retire at some stage. Actually I had an extra four years with hotels and I’m very grateful to John Keells for that. At the Foundation, besides being on the Board, I play a role as a volunteer as well. I also handle the media for the Foundation, a continuation of my former line of work.
What is the most striking difference between your life then and now?
Yasmin : Well that was on a very fast pace – no question. I left the house at 5.45 / 6 in the morning, never came home before 9.30 p.m ; never saw the light of day – it was like that for 32 years! Now here I am at home, enjoying my home finally!
Given the choice would you go back to a hotel career or continue with what you are doing now?
Yasmin : Continue with what I’m doing now. Being involved a little on a part time basis would benefit me financially, but definitely not full time.
What are your future plans vis a vis the Alzheimer’s Foundation?
Lorraine : ‘Succession and Sustainability’. It is important that I step down to make room for new Directors to join the Board and take LAF to greater heights at a national level.
Does dealing with Alzheimer’s stricken patients on a daily basis affect you personally?
Lorraine : No, I try not to get emotionally attached to our clients. I meet so many people living with dementia on a daily basis. I cannot let it depress me – I need to be strong and provide as much support as I can for PWDs and their carers.
How do you see your own life panning out?
Lorraine : I need to retire. It’s not going to be easy - I am aware that I will have a huge void to fill. I have worked tirelessly as a full time volunteer for LAF for the past 14 ½ years. I will not be able to disassociate myself from the Foundation completely, but I definitely don’t want to be involved in the day to day operations of running the Service & Information Centre after September 2016.
How do you relax, if you have the time to?
Lorraine : I enjoy sewing, cooking and entertaining.
Name one person who has influenced your life and why.
Yasmin : Mr. Gamini Fernando. He played a huge part in my life as a mentor. Most of my working career was spent at the Hilton Colombo and working under him was one experience! I’m sure everyone who worked with him would say the same. If he found someone with potential he would guide you, mentor you, he was there when we fell, he encouraged us, he was an amazing person. My siblings left the country early on so I had the privilege of spending quality time with my parents though my dad died early. My mother was there for me always but definitely Mr. Fernando played a huge role.
How do you spend your leisure time?
Yasmin : I’m pretty much a home bird. I love my garden, I have a nice group of friends and actually I’m very content. The day is not enough to get through everything I have to do. People find it hard to imagine that the Yasmin who was in the hotel sphere and out there running around, doing things is now not bustling around, but I am busy. I do Event Planning. I treat my day like any office day. I love cooking and entertaining at home. I’m also more spiritually inclined. I like to travel and maximize on what I have, on life as it were.
How supportive is your family of your work at the Alzheimer’s Foundation?
Yasmin : Well my family is not here. Once my sister managed to do some fundraising for me in Los Angeles, but she finds it hard to keep fundraising. The other members of my family give the Foundation whatever they can when they visit Sri Lanka. They have a fondness and a connection to the Foundation and of course they support my work, but it's long distance.
What is the most difficult aspect of your work at the Foundation?
Yasmin : Actually for me it’s the travelling, the distance to travel from my home to the Foundation. I’ve met with a couple of accidents as well and I find driving very stressful. If I were closer it would have made things a lot easier.
Lorraine : I thought fundraising was the most challenging until we were given the challenge to find suitable staff to man the Service and Information Centre. Fortunately most of the people working at the Foundation are volunteers who are dedicated, committed and genuinely want to make a difference in the lives of persons living with dementia. Most people lack discipline, drive, commitment; so much so that sometimes you feel you may as well do the work yourself. Having to always follow up really gets me down.
Interviewed by Anusha David
Interview photographs by Waruna Wanniarachchi
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