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Care home hosts dementia awareness event
September is World Alzheimer’s Month, with September 21 marked as a day to raise dementia awareness and support people affected by the condition.
To mark the occasion, Ons Tuis care home dedicated its Kuieruur (visiting hour) to an information lecture on dementia, titled “Sit die mens terug in demensie” (put the human back in dementia).
Dementia is a condition that not only affects the individual but also has a significant impact on close relatives.
It is a broad term used to describe a range of conditions that affect memory, thinking, behaviour and the ability to perform everyday activities.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, but there are several others, such as vascular dementia and Lewy Body dementia.
As a progressive condition, dementia not only affects the individual but also has a significant emotional and financial impact on their close relatives and caregivers.
The event was attended by some families who were navigating the impact of dementia on their loved ones, as well as social workers from various organisations in Centurion and other parts of Tshwane. Geldenhuys from the Association for Dementia and Alzheimer’s of South Africa (Adasa), said it was important to know that each case of dementia is unique and that circumstances could change.
Adasa is a specialised group that aims to work towards creating an inclusive society that respects the human rights of every person affected by dementia.
Geldenhuys explained one of the major challenges in dementia care is the stigma that often surrounds the condition.
She explained this stigma can lead to negative consequences, such as delaying essential medical care or discouraging families from seeking help, while outdated or incorrect understanding of the condition could mean that sufferers don’t get adequate care.
Amonique Pretorius and Kara Pieters, social workers from Elden Care, focused their address on the financial impact of those caring for loved ones suffering from dementia.
They explained there is often a legal process that can be difficult to navigate once a person is first diagnosed.
Anneliese Bothma, a social worker from Ons Tuis, explained how many family members might experience the emotional response to a loved one diagnosed with dementia.
She said carers often required therapy or support groups to cope with the realities that they were facing, as they may experience a profound sense of loss.
“Carers will often have two funerals, one on the onset of dementia, and a second when their loved one passes away.”
Finally, occupational therapist Marieke Smit demonstrated some activities and behaviours that could be used to help improve dementia sufferers’ well-being.
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