Why would someone volunteer their time (as well as other precious resources) to help others? Ask long-time volunteer and Lanka Alzheimer’s Foundation (LAF) Trustee, Lorraine Tamitegama, and the answer she will give is: "I find the work very satisfying - I certainly get more than I give".

Ms. Tamitegama is referring to her voluntary endeavours at LAF, an organisation founded in 2001 by her husband, Tami Tamitegama. The Foundation provides support services to persons with dementia and their families.

"After my involvement with the foundation it was obvious that my father had suffered from probable vascular dementia. Due to the lack of awareness, my mother and I found it difficult to cope with the challenges generated by his condition", shares Ms. Tamitegama.

She believes that LAF could help many families since "[one] of the Foundation’s priorities is to build awareness in the community at large. When families understand dementia, coping and caring becomes easier and the quality of life of the person affected and the family caregiver is automatically enhanced."

Ms. Tamitegama and fellow volunteers at LAF are involved in raising awareness, providing counseling, operating a Dementia helpline and publishing newsletters and resource material. In addition, her team has been responsible for creating a support network for caregivers as well as providing services which may otherwise prove to be unaffordable, such as free memory testing and other diagnostic services, home visits and training for family caregivers and professional carers, etc.

They also support the work of the Dementia wards at the National Institute for Mental Health and provide a non profit voluntary service where hygienic products are made available to persons with dementia registered with the Foundation.

No matter the reason for their involvement in this cause, Ms. Tamitegama’s motivation is her personal philosophy of ‘selfless service’; the example set by her and her fellow volunteers proves to be particularly poignant as they continue their never-ending crusade against virtually insurmountable odds, as witnessed by the daunting challenges they face.

"Age is the biggest risk factor for dementia. Everyone over the age of 65 is at risk. In a recent study released by the World Bank it has been reported that Sri Lanka has the fastest ageing population in Asia", says Ms. Tamitegama.

She continues to refer to national estimates which indicate the number of people with dementia to be between 100,000 and 120,000; a figure that may rise to as much as 500,000 between 2040 and 2050. Accordingly, "[urgent] action is needed to help persons with dementia and family caregivers get the attention and care that they deserve [especially since] dementia is a devastating disease that affects the whole family and society", reveals Ms. Tamitegama.

Fund raising to support elders is a challenge, especially since elders are not considered a part of development. Consequently there is very little funding available.

"Why therefore engage in something that looks to be an almost hopeless undertaking? Ms. Tamitegama believes that no one should be overlooked: "Elders have contributed towards society - we cannot sideline them when they need our support."

According to one caregiver who lives in the USA, Dr. Deepika Walpita, who moved her mother, based locally, into a care facility for elders after her mother took a turn for the worst and started experiencing severe behavioural problems:

"I contacted the Foundation, which was very prompt to respond. Volunteers, including a professional nurse visited my mother and provided the carers with in-house training and some understanding of dementia. Volunteers continue to visit my mother regularly and keep in touch with me via email, making assessments and recommendations on how we may improve my mother’s quality of life.

"When I visited my mother in November 2007, I found her very happy and well adjusted in the place she now calls ‘home’. It was such a joy to see my mother so happy. I wish I had relocated her and connected with the Lanka Alzheimer’s Foundation much earlier".

Ms. Tamitegama stresses that the well being of the caregiver is as important as the well being of the PWD. Says Evangeline Tilakawardane, whose husband began exhibiting dementia related symptoms while in his early 50’s, "they provided me with counseling when I was struggling to cope with the diagnosis and invited me to join the Caregiver Support Group.

"As a consequence, I received emotional support from other caregivers and advice from medical professionals present at those meetings. I look forward to the monthly meetings - it gives me the opportunity to unburden and talk of my experiences and fears".

And what does Ms. Tamitegama feel today about the pioneering journey that she and her husband started together eight years ago with the launch of LAF... "Intention, sustained commitment and being totally transparent has earned the Foundation credible presence in the community… [We] believe that our volunteers have made a difference in the lives of people with dementia. We have had positive feedback from the community, which proves that the work of the Foundation is appreciated", discloses Ms. Tamitegama

According to her, continuing the efforts of LAF has now also become a question of personal honour: "My husband and I have made a personal commitment to set up support services for people with dementia and their families. People have trusted us and given us money. We are accountable to our donors. We must deliver what we have promised. There is no going back on our word.

She intends to "build service capacity to serve the community at large [as well as to] create a blissful and tranquil day care centre where people with dementia and their families can avail themselves of person-centred dementia care and respite care respectively." Construction of the Dementia Services and Information Centre commenced in October 2008 on half an acre of Crown lease property in Colombo.

For those interested in volunteering, Ms. Tamitegama has this advice: "The qualities needed to be a successful volunteer are compassion, passion, dedication, sustained commitment and accountability."

She also indicates her belief that everyone has something to offer the community. All they have to do, according to her, is "find the time for those in need and share our resources with the less fortunate and remember that volunteerism is selfless service without any self gain".