To mark World Alzheimer’s Day, celebrated on Thursday 21 September, Ward 65 councillor Donovan Nelson held an information session at the Lotus River Health Centre to provide support for patients and their families who may be suffering from the disease.
“The focus of today is to shine a light on Alzheimer’s Day, to create awareness around the disease and what services are available to families. We have families here today who will share their experience to say that this is real and something a lot of families deal with,” said Nelson.
Margo Johnson, the founder of the non-profit organisation Shalom Community Care, says often family members do not understand the disease.
“We are in the process of starting a support group for families because I also have friends and family members who have been diagnosed.
“I can see that it is very difficult for them because they don’t understand it.
“Alzheimer’s is a very lonely disease so we try to make them understand that they are not alone and that we would like to support them.”
The NPO, which is situated in Lotus River, assists residents in various aspects ranging from counselling to gender-based violence and substance abuse.
“We also support frail care and do referrals for people with Alzheimer’s, who we refer to clinics and day hospitals.”
She added that with Alzheimer’s there is no age restriction.
Dr Aysha Gasant, who is stationed at the Lotus River Community Health Centre, explained that Alzheimer’s affects the neurons in the brain.
“Dementia, which is typically Alzheimer’s, is something that affects all of us. As we age, it is normal to lose some of our neurons in the brain. However, people living with dementia experience a far greater loss.
“Many of the cells in the brain lose the connection with other brain cells.”
She added that Alzheimer’s dementia is one of four types of dementia.
“Many patients have symptoms which can be mild but can get worse over time. Alzheimer’s dementia leads to significant memory loss, cognitive decline and loss of abilities with certain daily tasks. It also changes a person’s ability to function properly.”
Gasant says family members of dementia patients would complain of loved ones leaving home and getting lost or repeatedly asking the same questions.
“A lot of us may have family members that are already suffering with these types of symptoms from mild to severe and often you will find patients with family complaining that grandparents are wandering around the house, getting lost or repeating questions. Those are the mild initial symptoms of dementia.
“Often patients are not in that elderly age, it can present in the mid-60s, but some cases can present as early as mid-30s. It is an illness that can affect most of us.”
She further explains that it is a serious condition which requires treatment and supervision.
Meanwhile, resident Monica Hughes (66) knows all too well what it is like living with a family member who suffers from Alzheimer’s.
“My sister-in-law, who is the same age, has been living with Alzheimer’s for 20 years. She forgets everything, such as switching off the stove, she is a danger to herself and she can’t ever be left alone.
“It is hard.”
