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WORLD ALZHEIMER'S DAY 21 September - This year's theme is Dementia:  it's time for action

Recommended series on DStv - The Alzheimer Project

Look out for episodes from the abovementioned series (rated PG13), usually on channel MM2.

DRUG TRIAL:  see below

CONFERENCE 2010

The 25th International Conference of Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI) takes place in March in Thessaloniki, Greece, jointly organised by ADI and the Greek Association of Alzheimer's Disease and Relative Disorders.  For more information please see www.adi2010.org.  To read about other conferences, see Upcoming events. 

EASTERN CAPE 

  • We present half-day workshops for carers and family members of people with dementia.  If you'd like to attend, contact 041 581 5300 / jrauch@wol.co.za.  The workshops are from 09h00-13h00 on the following Saturdays in 2010:  6 Mar, 29 May, 28 Aug, 27 Nov.  Venue:  St John the Baptist Anglican Church, cor Church Rd & 8th Ave, Walmer.  Fee:  paid-up members R100, non-members R120.  Booking is essential.
  • We offer a multi-professional Diagnostic & Assessment Clinic on the last Tuesday and the last Wednesday of every month in Walmer, PE.  To book and for more info, contact Dr Heather Rauch 041 581 5300 / 082 657 0536 or Letitia Strauss 082 706 1245. 
  • Resource centre at CMR Uitenhage provides pamphlets in English, Afrikaans and isiXhosa.  Contact Miempie van Wyk at De Mist 041 922 9012 or Tembeka Manono-Nyiki at Kwanobuhle 041 977 1295 / 7888.
  • Resource centre at Age-in-Action PE, as above.  Mlindi Gerald Maqoma or Linda Swartz 041 457 1466.
  • For information about dementia-care training, phone Dr Heather Rauch 041 581 5300 / 082 657 0536. 
  • We run workshops for staff of care homes.  Contact Magriet 041 371 4262 alzec@isat.co.za.   Upcoming workshops:  5 March Nightingale Trust;  29 March Heartfelt Home.

    • FREE STATE

    • Bloemfontein, 9-12 March:  We will be training trainers to run our course, Caring for the person with dementia. 
    • 28 April conference with Traditional Healers in Bloemfontein, about Alzheimer’s matters.
    • 11 May is our annual Information Day in Bloemfontein.  Details Ian Putter 051 436 9663.

    GAUTENG

    • Training in dementia care for people caring for someone at home:  next course 7-9 September.  Limited numbers accepted.  Phone 011 478 0006 to book a place.  Cost:  R800 pp, which includes course notes, refreshments and lunches for the three days.
    • Princess Christian Home in Nieuw Muckleneuk bied 'n Alzheimer's inligtingsoggend op 17 Maart.  Sarie Coetzee 012 460 2221.
    • Drug trial:  You or your loved one may be eligible to join this trial and benefit from an initial brain scan, regular checkups, memory assessment, blood tests and ECGs, at no cost.  Patients need to be physically fit and have a caregiver who can accompany them on the visits.  Contact Jan on 011 507 2415.  Alzheimer's SA does not endorse any part of the study but has agreed to advise the public of its existence.

    • Can you help? 

    An old age home in Jabulani has 13 elderly people with dementia, most of whom have been abandoned by their families.  The home desperately needs adult nappies.  If you can help, please talk to our Gauteng office on 011 478 0006 (Loraine or Anne), or the national office (Nancy) on 011 478 2234, or email alzheimers@myconnection.co.za or nancy@alzheimers.org.za.  Lydia also needs: 

    Kitchen storage cupboards
    Waterproof flooring for kitchen and bedroom, e.g. Novilon
    Sheets and duvets for single beds (15)
    A wheelchair
    2 x wardrobes
    Garden umbrellas for shade

    • Vacancies:
      Ekklesiapark Tuiste in Blairgowrie.  Minda 011 886 1430
      Prim Villa Methodist Home in Primrose.  Sharon Flint 011 873 8677
      Sasonah Lodge in Germiston.  Colleen Nunn 011 872 1740 
      Queen Alexandra, Orange Grove.  011 640 5826

    • Saxophonist Nick Hulett will play for residents of homes or other groups, if you will cover his travel costs:  unique1@myconnection.co.za.

    KWAZULU-NATAL

    • Our community worker, Nokuthula Zindela, runs a dementia education programme in Clermont/ Kwadabeka, Chesterville, Lamontville and Tafelkop.  She can be reached at 031 711 0775 or 076 115 2672.
    • We have trained 220 community-based care providers across the province and have applied to the provincial Department of Social Development for funds to continue the programme in 2010.
    • Our social worker, Elena Hattingh, is conducting a schools project to instil dementia awareness in young people.  Elena visits schools and uses role-play and an educational presentation.
    • Resource centres:  Mbango Valley in Port Shepstone (Sheila Douthwaite 039 682 5251), Juana Maria Old Age Home in Ladysmith (Di Williams 036 631 0698) and Greendale House in Howick (Penny Toussaint 033 239 1300).   These centres provide counselling, information brochures and pamphlets in English, Afrikaans and isiZulu.  

    Phone our office 031 702 4321 for more information.

    LIMPOPO

    • Piet Potgieter Monumenttehuis in Mokopane got us to train their staff in dementia care.  If you would like your staff trained, email nancy@alzheimers.org.za.
    • We have launched an awareness campaign and have a staff member in the province now, Simon Moshane, to liaise with our partners in the project, Bokamoso.  

    MPUMALANGA

    We recently completed a 4-day training course in Waterval-Boven and will soon be conducting the same course in White River.

    NOORD-WES

    • Service Centre of the Aged in Potchefstroom is hosting a talk on Alzheimer's given by vice-president of Alzheimer's SA, Kathy Beukes, on 13 April at 10h00.  Contact Diana King at Potchefstroom Medi-Clinic 018 293 7000.
    • Huis Sering, Rustenburg, bied op elke eerste Woensdag van die maand ons Alzheimer ondersteuning byeenkoms aan.  Bel Chris Cilliers 014 592 1124.
    • Ondersteuning is beskikbaar in Schweizer-Reneke.  Skryf aan info@alzheimers.org.za vir details van hierdie en ander groepe in die provinsie.
    • Ons het onlangs opleiding vir versorgers gebied in Brits, en sal dit moontlik vroeg 2010 herhaal.  Bel ons nasionale kantoor of Sr du Plessis, Brits Rusoord, 012 252 7043.

    WESTERN CAPE

    • 4-day training course in dementia care, at St Thomas Methodist Church, Plettenberg Bay, on 9, 10,15 and 16 March.  Contact Jennifer Howorth  of our Southern Cape office on 044 533 0132. 

    • Our Durbanville office is open.  Phone Jill on 021 979 2724 or email jill.alzheimers@myconnection.co.za.

    • Vacancies: 
      The Nest, Pinelands.  Lois Phillps  021 447 1565
      Paradys Care Providers, Strand  021 854 7698
      Huis Elsje, Mossel Bay.  Margaret Müller  044 690 3144
    • Resource centre, Mossel Bay:  pick up a brochure and learn more about dementia.  Margaret 044 690 3144/5.

    DRUG TRIAL in Pretoria, Jo'burg, Bloemfontein and Cape Town

    Do you, or does someone you love, suffer from memory loss?  If so, then you or your loved one may be eligible to take part in a study that may provide a solution for memory loss.  Study participants must be between 55 and 85 years old, be able to read and write in English, and have a caregiver.  Study medication and procedures will be provided.  To learn more, contact the study call centre toll-free on 0800 212 166, SMS 083 357 5395, or email admin@excellentis.co.za.   Note that Alzheimer's SA does not endorse this study and has merely agreed to let you know about it.

    Global Alzheimer’s Disease Charter

    Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia and accounts for 60-70% of all cases. Every year, 4.6 million new cases of dementia are reported worldwide:  one new case every seven seconds. By 2050, it is projected, there will be 100 million people with dementia in the world. No country is ready to deal with a crisis of this magnitude.

    Worldwide, attention to this rapidly growing problem is so small that most of those affected continue to suffer without help, or hope. This must change! The quality of life of people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias can be transformed. Too often, they, their families and carers lack the support they need.

    We, the members of Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI), representing 77 associations around the world, urgently call upon all governments and stakeholders to act now.  Worldwide petition:  Help us change the future for people with Alzheimer's disease. Click here http://www.globalcharter.org/film.

    The following six principles should be adopted to make Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias a global priority:

    1.       Promote awareness and understanding of the disease

    2.       Respect the human rights of people with the disease

    3.       Recognize the key role of families and carers

    4.       Provide access to health and social care

    5.       Stress the importance of optimal treatment after diagnosis

    6.       Take action to prevent the disease, through improvements in public health

    Alzheimer’s Disease International

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    Concerned about your memory?  See http://www.nationalmemorytest.net.au/ or visit www.gomemory.co.za.  There's an excellent memory workbook at http://www.memoryrehab.co.uk/. 

    Free of charge:  Alzheimer’s posters and information booklets in 'comic' format are available in various languages.  Call your local office of ASA or email nancy@alzheimers.org.za if you'd like some.  We also have an information pamphlet written in isiXhosa.

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    We need more volunteers - support group leaders and helpline counsellors.  Please contact national office if you are interested in training as a SGL or helpline counsellor.

    While every effort is made to ensure accurate reproduction and links to reputable sources, Alzheimer’s South Africa will not be held responsible for any errors or omissions on this website.  Should you be aware of inaccuracies, we would be grateful for your comments so that corrective action can be taken, where necessary. Alzheimer's South Africa provides this information as a resource to its readers but publication of this information cannot be seen as an endorsement of any company, individual, product or any given research.