You have a family member diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease.
What now? Paarl Rotary has developed the Labyrinth Circle seminar to help family members caring for a dementia patient cope with this situation, which may feel like being lost in a labyrinth.
The first meeting was held in Paarl last week, where next-of-kin carers learnt more about caring for a dementia patient from people such as Prof Dana Niehaus of Stellenbosch University’s Department of Psychiatry. She pointed out that the process of deterioration in these patients is irreversible, although medication may slow it down.
Typical symptoms of dementia are an inability to concentrate and plan, short-term memory problems and irritability and aggression. Untreated hearing problems and depression may contribute to the deterioration of the patient.
Eventually the patients cannot drive a car or care for themselves and become incontinent. Family carers, who suffer as much as the patient, could well benefit from attending such seminars to gain information and support.
The Labyrinth Circle seminars are being rolled out to communities so more people can benefit, and they have been renamed the Dementia Café. The first seminar will be held in Paarl East on Friday 12 May at 09:30 for 10:00 at the Thusong Community Hall in New Orleans. This will be followed by another seminar at the Wellington Town Hall on Friday 26 May at 09:30 for 10:00. To book your space at either of these seminars contact projects@dementiasa.org or send a WhatsApp to 083 264 8000 (mornings only). Senior clubs are welcome to book seats for their members.
