News

MISSING
Last Seen Area: N2 - Plettenberg Bay area "The Crags"
Name: Johan Redelinghuys
Date/Time: Friday 6 March 6pm
Age: 67 years
Height: Approx 1.7m
Features: Blonde-grey
Wearing: Olive green short sleeved shirt, long khaki shorts, dark sandals, spectacles
Has Alzheimer's and may be disorientated
A reward is offered for information that assists the family in its search
Contact: Johan - 083 677 9520 or 0795195097 or Conrad - 072 492 7107

MISSING PERSONS

The Pink Ladies organisation is a registered section 21 NGO founded by a handful of South Africans in March 2007 after the tragic death of a young child from Pretoria.  That very night, they resolved to establish an organisation that would forever change the face of missing persons in our country - and that's what they've done.

The Pink Ladies will, on request, work with individuals or organisation with the same objectives - reuniting missing and endangered people with their families and/or caregivers.  Although most cases concern missing children, they also help to find adults.

To report a loved one missing, please contact: missing@pinkladies.org.za / 072 214 7439.

WORLD ALZHEIMER'S DAY 21 September 2009

The theme this year is Diagnosing Dementia: See It Sooner.  This is about focusing on the importance of getting a diagnosis and urging medical professionals to diagnose dementia as a first step to getting help.

CONFERENCE 2010

CLINICAL STUDY IN MEMORY LOSS

Parexel International (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd is conducting a clinical research study in subjects with Alzheimer's and mild cognitive impairment.  Participation in the study will be in collaboration with your treating physician.  Alzheimer's SA does not endorse any part of the study but has agreed to advise the public of its existence.  Research will take place in Bloemfontein, George and Port Elizabeth.  Participants must be non-smokers.  Parexel's toll-free number is 0800 212 166.  You can also email alzheimers@clinicalresearch.co.za.

EASTERN CAPE 

• 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. 
• On 14 July Flo Schwartz will give a talk on Alzheimer's at Trinity Church Hall, East London.

• Director of ASA in the Eastern Cape, Magriet Meintjes, will give a talk on 23 July at a meeting of Managers of Homes for the Aged, about Alzheimer’s and the work that we do. 

• ½-day workshops will be held for carers of Nightingale Trust on 26 August and 16 October.
• We present a half-day workshop (09h00-13h00) for carers and family members of people with dementia.  If you're interested in attending, contact 041 581 5300 or 082 657 0536 or jrauch@wol.co.za.  The last two workshops for 2009 will be on 25 July and 31 October, at St John the Baptist Anglican Church, cor Church Rd & 8th Ave, Walmer.  Fee:  R100 paid-up members, R120 non-members.  Booking is essential.
• For information about dementia-care training, phone Dr Heather Rauch 041 581 5300 / 082 657 0536. 
• Note that there is an isiXhosa pamphlet about dementia.  Contact nancy@alzheimers.org.za at national office for a copy.

• The AGM will take place on Monday 17 August 2009 – more info later.  Contact Magriet 041 371 4262.

GAUTENG

• We are involved with an old age home in Jabulani, Soweto that looks after 13 elderly dementia patients, most of whom have been abandoned by their families.  The owner desperately needs incontinence products, i.e. adult nappies, every month.   We appeal to you for help, as the nappies cost R1,400 pm. Please contact the Gauteng office of Alzheimer’s SA on 011 478 0006 and talk to Jill or Anne, or phone the national office and talk to Nancy 011 478 2234.  Alternatively, email alzheimers@myconnection.co.za or nancy@alzheimers.org.za.
• Sasonah Lodge in Germiston has vacancies, +- R4,500 pm.  Ian Cullen 011 872 1740.  
• The Queen Alexandra retirement village in Orange Grove has vacancies in its Alzheimer’s unit, R8,000 pm.
• 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

• We have a day care centre at our Pinetown office for people with dementia.  Phone 031 702 4321.
• 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.
• Our region is halfway through a dementia awareness roll-out in which we present our five-day 'Train the Trainer' programme to 12 Zulu-speaking social workers working in the field of the aged in KwaZulu-Natal.  They work in teams of two, presenting our dementia training to ancillary staff of nursing homes and to community based care-providers in their respective areas.  During September these groups will be organising an event for about 250 people, to create awareness of dementia.
• 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.
• We have trained two groups of care-providers of Flo-line Service and two groups of nursing staff at Outspan Retirement Complex, and are negotiating with Beth Shalom and Amber Valley to present training to their staff.
• There are resource centres at Mbango Valley in Port Shepstone, Juana Maria Old Age Home in Ladysmith and at Greendale House in Howick.   These centres provide counselling, information brochures and pamphlets in English, Afrikaans and Zulu.  For information please contact Sheila Douthwaite on 039 682 525, Di Williams on 036 631 0698 and Penny Toussaint on 033 239 1300 respectively.
• Our AGM will be taking place on Thursday 27 August at our offices in Pinetown.  Please phone for details.

Phone our office 031 702 4321 for more information.

WESTERN CAPE

Huis Elsje in Mossel Bay has just 3 vacancies remaining.  Phone 044 690 3144. 

There's a new home in Strand:  Paradys Care Providers, phone 072 865 4578 (no landline yet).

A resource centre is being established in Plettenberg Bay.  Contact Jennifer 044 533 3154.

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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Free of charge:  Alzheimer’s posters 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.