Dementia SA

10 years ago he left us. The entire world had lost a father figure. A moral compass. The projection of our best self.

He would want us to remember what we were like when he was around. He would want us to aspire to greatness by living to create a better future for the children despite the enormous challenges we now face. He would want us to be soldiers for the greater good. And above all he would want us to remain hopeful.

Last night I had dinner with Mrs Machel. I specifically post this picture today because I do not think we show our gratitude to her enough for making Madiba so incredibly happy for the last few years of his life. We would not have had the Madiba we knew had it not been for the light she brought to his life. I thank you Mum.

RIP Khulu. ❤️❤️

An excellent article by Prof June Andrews

www.linkedin.com

Our health changes as we get older. And as a result, our definition of what it means to be “healthy” also changes. Many older adults with chronic conditions are rejecting the conventional idea that health is the absence of disease and are instead adopting a “healthy, with conditions” outlook. In fact, many consider themselves fully healthy as long as they can do what they love and live each day as they choose. Learn more about how adults are rethinking what “healthy” living looks like: http://spr.ly/6186R6XC8.

The New Definition of Healthy: Living Life on Your Own Terms Increasingly, people with chronic conditions consider themselves fully healthy-as long as they can live each day as they choose. Why the health care industry needs to get wise and catch up

Each and every South African must know about the Older Persons Act which includes the huge responsibility of dealing with the abuse and neglect of our elderly.

Media Statement: Society Bears the Responsibility to Report Maltreatment and Abuse of Older Persons to Facilitate Removal - Parliament of South Africa Parliament, Saturday, 04 November 2021 – The Portfolio Committee on Social Development has concluded the first leg of public hearings on the Older Persons Amendment Bill [11-2022] and has underlined that every member of society has the responsibility to report maltreatment and abuse of older pers...

Thanks Robin Trust!

How to Deal with Caregiver Guilt in Dementia: 6 Tips – DailyCaring Caregiver guilt in dementia is often caused by unrealistic expectations. Find out about 6 common misconceptions and get tips for dealing with guilt.

https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/providing-care-person-frontotemporal-disorder

Providing Care for a Person With a Frontotemporal Disorder Get advice on providing care for a person with frontotemporal dementia or similar disorder. Learn how to manage home, family, work, and long-term care issues.

The most amazing news ......
Stewart Romanis has cycled safely to his destination and raising money for DementiaSA!! THANK YOU so much Stewart and hearty congratulations !!! We are so grateful to you. Your donation will help us continue with education and awareness where stigma and myth surrounding this insidious disease still exist.

For those who would still like contribute to congratulate Stewart on this incredible achievement, please contact the BackaBuddy site
https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.backabuddy.co.za%2Fdementia-sa-dementia-sa-5604904031917147880&data=05%7C01%7Cdirector%40dementiasa.org%7Cc3398d98986b4c89363708db7e01581d%7Cdb9f4ce6e3e142b4b6ba0963492821e9%7C0%7C0%7C638242316481892724%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=nhVgojCGMprHthaqlEyldczt2BhGfPLtrh8hLRSgZ60%3D&reserved=0

We are delighted to announce that Stewart Romanis will be cycling in the UK for Dementia SA.... more information to follow. In the meantime support Stewart to support us ...
https://www.backabuddy.co.za/dementia-sa-dementia-sa-5604904031917147880
Go Stewart Go!!!

www.backabuddy.co.za

The greatest risk to developing a dementia is AGE. The number of people living with dementia and their carers is going to soar. The services and support of our Organisation will be critical. Visit our donation page on our website to help make a difference - no matter how big or small - all donations are appreciated. Thanks in advance! www.DementiaSA.org

Nearly a new month to implement some meaningful changes if you need to .... interesting!!

Life's Essential 8: Higher Scores Extend Health Span What's your life expectancy score? Not your life span -- what about your health span?

If you are caring for someone with Alzheimer's or dementia, you may notice your person exhibiting new, difficult behaviors.
Understanding the triggers will help you better manage them.
Here are tips for navigating 6 difficult behaviors:
https://alzfdn.org/alzheimers-today-volume-17-number-3/navigating-difficult-behaviors/

Interesting article about a difficult subject …

I'm a Solo Ager and I've Hired a Death Doula I know I need support navigating the complexities of dying and I want to die on my own terms

I just think we need to take a moment to read this.
Bruce Willis just learned his illnesses are Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) and Lewy's bodily Dementia - One of the hardest things to deal with is slow change in the one you love. Become a totally different person Everything changes.
Just so you know... 😢 it's called the long goodbye. The brain shrinks rapidly, that's how one doctor described it. As the patient's brain slowly dies, they physically change and eventually they forget who their loved ones are and become less themselves.
Patients can eventually become crippled, unable to move and unable to eat or drink or talk to their loved ones.
There will be people who will scroll past this post because dementia or Alzheimer's disease hasn't affected them. They may not know what it’s like to have a loved one who battled or is fighting a battle with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
In an effort to bring awareness to this cruel disease, I would like to see at least 5 of my friends put this on their timeline.
I'll settle for at least one…..

As a leader (manager) of a residential community, who do you bounce ideas off, learn from or just share with someone who really understands? Where do you find support?

The Inspiration Circle provides a safe space to do just that and more. Peers sharing and supporting each other, while getting new ideas. With the overall aim of sustaining the wellbeing of the individuals in the circle.

Interested? Initial 3 months free - more details here https://www.true2you.co.za/inspiration-circle-offer/

This is a special warm welcome to all our new members and followers! Yjank you for joining us. Besides our FB page we also have a YouTube channel which has many webinars which we recorded during the days of Lockdown (remember that!). These webinars were created when doctors and allied health workers weren’t open to see patients. We decided to interview and record subjects which people wanted to hear. Pop along to our YT channel and subscribe (yes there will be more coming!) like and share to your pages!
Medical professionals often refer people to our website / under the RESOURCES tab is a section called ADVICE SHEETS. Find answers to many of your questions. If your question is not answered and you need further help, there is a Contact Us section on our website. E-mail us and even suggest some other topics for us to explore for you - this is for both webinars and Advice Sheets.!!
Once again, a warm welcome to all our new members and grateful for all our existing members

Dementia is such a sad illness, embrace and assist in promoting self worth.

💗Copied from a friends post. Thought provoking but the reality of someone with dementia.

“𝐼𝒻 𝐼 𝑔𝑒𝓉 𝒹𝑒𝓂𝑒𝓃𝓉𝒾𝒶,
I’d like my family to hang this wish list up on the wall where I live. I want them to remember these things:
𝐼𝒻 𝐼 𝑔𝑒𝓉 𝒹𝑒𝓂𝑒𝓃𝓉𝒾𝒶, I want my friends and family to embrace my reality. If I think my spouse is still alive, or if I think we’re visiting my parents for dinner, let me believe those things. I’ll be much happier for it.
𝐼𝒻 𝐼 𝑔𝑒𝓉 𝒹𝑒𝓂𝑒𝓃𝓉𝒾𝒶, don’t argue with me about what is true for me versus what is true for you.
𝐼𝒻 𝐼 𝑔𝑒𝓉 𝒹𝑒𝓂𝑒𝓃𝓉𝒾𝒶, and I am not sure who you are, do not take it personally. My timeline is confusing to me.
𝐼𝒻 𝐼 𝑔𝑒𝓉 𝒹𝑒𝓂𝑒𝓃𝓉𝒾𝒶, and can no longer use utensils, do not start feeding me. Instead, switch me to a finger-food diet, and see if I can still feed myself.
𝐼𝒻 𝐼 𝑔𝑒𝓉 𝒹𝑒𝓂𝑒𝓃𝓉𝒾𝒶, and I am sad or anxious, hold my hand and listen. Do not tell me that my feelings are unfounded.
𝐼𝒻 𝐼 𝑔𝑒𝓉 𝒹𝑒𝓂𝑒𝓃𝓉𝒾𝒶, I don’t want to be treated like a child. Talk to me like the adult that I am.
𝐼𝒻 𝐼 𝑔𝑒𝓉 𝒹𝑒𝓂𝑒𝓃𝓉𝒾𝒶, I still want to enjoy the things that I’ve always enjoyed. Help me find a way to exercise, read, and visit with friends.
𝐼𝒻 𝐼 𝑔𝑒𝓉 𝒹𝑒𝓂𝑒𝓃𝓉𝒾𝒶, ask me to tell you a story from my past.
𝐼𝒻 𝐼 𝑔𝑒𝓉 𝒹𝑒𝓂𝑒𝓃𝓉𝒾𝒶, and I become agitated, take the time to figure out what is bothering me.
𝐼𝒻 𝐼 𝑔𝑒𝓉 𝒹𝑒𝓂𝑒𝓃𝓉𝒾𝒶, treat me the way that you would want to be treated.
𝐼𝒻 𝐼 𝑔𝑒𝓉 𝒹𝑒𝓂𝑒𝓃𝓉𝒾𝒶, make sure that there are plenty of snacks for me in the house. Even now if I don’t eat I get angry, and if I have dementia, I may have trouble explaining what I need.
𝐼𝒻 𝐼 𝑔𝑒𝓉 𝒹𝑒𝓂𝑒𝓃𝓉𝒾𝒶, don’t talk about me as if I’m not in the room.
𝐼𝒻 𝐼 𝑔𝑒𝓉 𝒹𝑒𝓂𝑒𝓃𝓉𝒾𝒶, don’t feel guilty if you cannot care for me 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It’s not your fault, and you’ve done your best. Find someone who can help you, or choose a great new place for me to live.
𝐼𝒻 𝐼 𝑔𝑒𝓉 𝒹𝑒𝓂𝑒𝓃𝓉𝒾𝒶, and I live in a dementia care community, please visit me often.
𝐼𝒻 𝐼 𝑔𝑒𝓉 𝒹𝑒𝓂𝑒𝓃𝓉𝒾𝒶, don’t act frustrated if I mix up names, events, or places. Take a deep breath. It’s not my fault.
𝐼𝒻 𝐼 𝑔𝑒𝓉 𝒹𝑒𝓂𝑒𝓃𝓉𝒾𝒶, make sure I always have my favourite music playing within earshot.
𝐼𝒻 𝐼 𝑔𝑒𝓉 𝒹𝑒𝓂𝑒𝓃𝓉𝒾𝒶, and I like to pick up items and carry them around, help me return those items to their original places.
𝐼𝒻 𝐼 𝑔𝑒𝓉 𝒹𝑒𝓂𝑒𝓃𝓉𝒾𝒶, don’t exclude me from parties and family gatherings.
𝐼𝒻 𝐼 𝑔𝑒𝓉 𝒹𝑒𝓂𝑒𝓃𝓉𝒾𝒶, know that I still like receiving hugs or handshakes.
𝐼𝒻 𝐼 𝑔𝑒𝓉 𝒹𝑒𝓂𝑒𝓃𝓉𝒾𝒶, remember that I am still the person you know and love.”

ᴄᴏᴘʏ ᴀɴᴅ ᴘᴀsᴛᴇ in Honour of someone you know or knew who has dementia. In Honour of all those I know and love fighting Dementia/Alzheimer’s.

True 2 You

“Wat ik vooral nodig heb, is geduld. Én dat mensen mij normaal behandelen."

Leren hoe je omgaat met mensen met dementie leer je natuurlijk het beste van iemand die zelf dementie heeft. Daarom nodigden we Gerda uit voor ons webinar aan de audiciens, opticiens en winkelmedewerkers van . Gerda heeft vasculaire dementie en ken je misschien nog van Restaurant Misverstand. Gerda vertelt: "Als ik ergens een afspraak heb, is het fijn als mensen mij even ontvangen. Dan kan ik aangeven wat er aan de hand is. Wat mij ook helpt zijn plaatjes. Omdat het visueel is, is het voor mij veel makkelijker te begrijpen dan een lap tekst. Vooral klinische termen zijn erg lastig. Als je hier op een speelse manier mee om kunt gaan, scheelt dit gelijk ook prikkels."

Dat mensen met dementie niks meer kunnen weerlegt Gerda snel: "Samen kan je veel meer dan alleen. Vaak ook meer dan mensen denken dat mogelijk is met dementie. Ik heb een defect, maar ik kan verder alles doen wat anderen ook kunnen. Ik doe aan hondensport, tennis, zing in een koor en wandel. Ook zit ik in de adviesraad van Samen Dementievriendelijk. Zo wordt niet alleen over mensen met dementie gepraat, maar kunnen wij ook meepraten en meedenken. Ik wil gewoon lekker bezig zijn en in de maatschappij mee blijven draaien.” 💙

Naast het verhaal van Gerda deelde onze collega Saskia in de webinar hoe je signalen kunt herkennen en hoe je een klant met dementie zo goed mogelijk kunt helpen.

The Facebook Live book launch event is free, but participants need to complete a short registration to access the link –https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAtfuGgpjksGNWGiWKzHtjm8EvuII6EfVC1 to register.

True 2 You
Care On Call

The Facebook Live book launch event is free, but participants need to complete a short registration to access the link –https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAtfuGgpjksGNWGiWKzHtjm8EvuII6EfVC1 to register.

At DementiaSA we support and educate families and carers who care for people living with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia’s - for information try our website - www.DementiaSA.org, National helpline 0860 636 679 / 0860 MEMORY.
Our YouTube channel is unique with a number of webinars featuring South African experts. Topics such as Dysphagia (swallowing difficulties), discussion on Activities with an Occupational Therapist, Pain Management, Dietician, Audiologist, Legal aspects of dementia, Sexuality & Dementia, Music Therapy, Physiotherapy …. And so much more - stay in the know and be empowered. Please ✅ LIKE ✅ SHARE ✅ SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel today!

Dementia SA | Managing Alzheimer's and dementia care in South Africa Dementia SA is a South African NPO that assists people who have limited access to private health care, to live with, or care for those with dementia.