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

COMPETITION

Win US$500!  Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) is looking for a symbol to represent the global unity of individuals and organisations working to improve the lives of people with dementia and their carers.  The symbol will be used by ADI and Alzheimer’s associations world-wide.  It should be versatile enough for use in print and electronic formats.  Professional and amateur designers may enter.  Closing date 21 September.  See http://www.alz.co.uk/adi/symbol.html for details.  Shortlisted designs will be shown on the ADI website from October to January and the winner will be determined by public vote.

THE WORLDWIDE SEARCH FOR ANSWERS

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/24/health/research/24scans.html?th&emc=th.  Includes details of a new dye/scan combination that reveals plaque build-up on the brain.

EASTERN CAPE 

  • Dr Mariët van Niekerk, a neurologist from Pretoria, will give a talk, “Caring for the Caregiver”, on Saturday 18 September, from 11h00-13h00, at St John the Baptist Anglican Church, corner 8th Ave and Church Rd, Walmer, Port Elizabeth.  A donation of R30 will be appreciated to cover costs.  Enquiries:  Magriet - see below.
  • 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 Saturday 28 Aug and 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.  Contact Mlindi Gerald Maqoma 041 457 1466 or Linda Swartz 041 452 2111.
  • Dementia-care training given.  Tel Dr Heather Rauch 041 581 5300 / 082 657 0536. 
  • We run workshops for staff of care homes. 

    • Magriet Meintjes 041 371 4262 alzec@isat.co.za   

    FREE STATE

    • We have opened the Omega Clinic/Kliniek, offering free dementia assessments to the community.
    • Information sessions will take place in the Southern Free State during the second half of July.  Details from alzheimersfs@telkomsa.net or call the number given below.
    • You are invited to attend our AGM on 10 August at 10h00, at the auditorium of the Free State Provincial Archives, Badenhorst St, Universitas, Bloemfontein.  Guest speakers are Rikus van der Poel on research results of the 10/66 project, Hester Visagie on factors to consider in selecting a retirement facility for the Alzheimer’s client, and Dr Sanet du Toit on activities for Alzheimer’s clients.
    • Training in dementia care is available.   Scheduled to take place are the following:

      2 – 6 August, Bloemfontein                                                       
      11 – 15 October, Kroonstad 
      22 – 26 November, Bethlehem
      29 November – 3 December, Parys

    Ian Putter 051 436 9663 alzheimersfs@telkomsa.net

    GAUTENG

    • Annual General Meeting:  Tuesday 10 August, 10h30 to 12h30 (registration from 10h00), at Lyttelton Service Centre, Centurion Raad vir Bejaardes, Potgieter St, Lyttelton, Pretoria.  The guest speaker will be Dr Johan Claassens, ethnopsychologist and clinical hypnotherapist, who will focus on prevention of - among other things - carer burnout.  A donation of R20 is requested, towards our costs.  Tea will be served.  RSVP Anne 011 478 0006 or alzheimers@myconnection.co.za.
    • 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.
    • One-day seminar, ‘Dementia:  it’s time for action’ on 21 September, at the Charlotte Maxeke Hospital in Johannesburg.  Click for programme and registration form (deadline 10 Sept).

    • 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 011 478 0006 (Loraine or Anne), or the national office (Nancy) 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), and towels
    A wheelchair
    2 x wardrobes
    Garden umbrellas for shade

    • Some Homes without waiting lists:
      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

    • Ngcolosi/Inanda Dam area:  Gloria Ngcobo, our community development worker stationed at Sithani Care Centre in Ngcolosi, creates awareness of dementia by giving talks to schools, churches and community groups.  She also visits the pensions payout point at the Community Centre on pensions day.
    • Wyebank, Lower Molweni:  Nokuthula Zindela, community development worker, is drawing up a programme to increase dementia awareness in the area.
    • Doreen Wilson and Talent Mabasa have just finished training caregivers from nursing homes across the province, at SAVF Old Age Home in Pietermaritzburg. 
    • We offer 16 support groups in KZN for the carers and families of people with dementia.  Details can be obtained from our office - see number, below.
    • We have appointed Ruth Sanderson as our public relations officer.  Among other tasks, she is responsible for highlighting our profile and the work we do.  She will liaise closely with the general community and businesses in KwaZulu-Natal. 
    • AGM on 20 August at Pinetown Methodist Church, 10h00.  Sr Wendy Robinson will give a talk, Behavioural disturbances associated with dementia.
    • World Alzheimer’s Day 21 September:  Durban Country Club.  Dr Len Eriksson will discuss the effects on caregivers of giving dementia care.
    • Our social worker, Elena Hattingh, is conducting a schools project to instil dementia awareness in young people.  Elena gives a presentation at schools and uses role-play.  25 August:  Talk for Grade 12s at Pinetown Girls' High School.
    • 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

    • Staff training in dementia care took place at Piet Potgieter Monumenttehuis in Mokopane.  If you would like your staff trained, email nancy@alzheimers.org.za.
    • We have launched an awareness campaign in the province.  Simon Moshane of ASA national office works in liaison with our partners in the project, Bokamoso.  

    NOORD-KAAP

    Ons het in Julie die personeel van Huis Namakwaland in Springbok opgelei.  Daar's opleiding in demensie-sorg vir personeel van Oranjehof Ouetehuis in Upington 2-6 Augustus en van Huis Sophia in Pofadder 16-20 Augustus.

    Cecile Visagie 053 831 5815 ncape@alzheimers.org.za

    NOORD-WES

    • Onlangs opgelei in demensie-sorg:  die personeel van Huis Louis Swanepoel in Stella en van Rusoord Vryburg.
    • A regional council has been formed - an exciting step in the development of services in the province.
    • Toespraak 10h00 op 5 Augustus Carletonville Sport Kompleks.   
    • 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 ons vir details van hierdie en ander groepe in die provinsie.
    • Ons het personeel van SAVF tehuise in Lichtenburg, Zeerust, Fochville en Potchefstroom opgelei in demensie-sorg.

    asapotch@gmail.com

    SOUTHERN CAPE

    • Dementia-care training offered:  see contact info, below.

    • World Alzheimer's Day 21 September, Dutch Reformed Church, Fichat St, George, 10h00:  guest speakers Dr A Lombard, Dr F van Rensburg and occupational therapist Stella Simms.

    • U3A event to be held at Formosa Garden Village, Plettenberg Bay, on 8 October at 10h00.

    • Home offering dementia care, with no waiting list:  Huis Elsje, Mossel Bay. 

    • Clinical staff and 1st year nursing students from the Bay View Hospital in Mossel Bay attended a talk on Alzheimer's given by Southern Cape director.

    • The SAVF Dienssentrum in Dana Bay hosted a talk on dementia given by support group leader, Maria van Staden.
    • Resource centre, Mossel Bay:  pick up a brochure and learn more about dementia. 
  • There is an independent Active Memory Clinic in George with ongoing research projects:  044 871 3671.

    • Jennifer Howorth 044 533 0132 howorthjennifer@telkomsa.net

    WESTERN CAPE

    • Home offering dementia care, with no waiting list: 
      The Nest, Pinelands.  Lois Phillps  021 447 1565
    • Feel free to visit our new resource centre at 5 Study St, Table View, to learn more about Alzheimer’s and to chat to our volunteer.   If you would like to get involved as a volunteer, talk to Jill - contact info below.

    Jill Robson 021 979 2724  jill.alzheimers@myconnection.co.za

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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 us 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.