News

Training of trainers is taking place 20-24 February 2012.  Twice a year, we train adults who have already attended our dementia-care course and been identified as possible trainers.  Those who successfully complete the course in February will conduct training under the auspices of ASA.

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Ryan Banks, 19 years old, completed an unsupported, solo cycle of the coastline of South Africa. He started at the Namibian border in October and took just over two months to reach the Mozambican border.  One of his objectives was to raise awareness of the impact of Alzheimer’s on families.  Visit his blog at http://sacoastlinecycle.blogspot.com/.

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The Older Persons Charter is available in Afrikaans, English, isiXhosa, isiZulu, Sesotho and Xitsonga at http://www.saopf.org.za/charter.html.  On that page, you will also find a link to the Older Persons Act and Regulations.

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In September, the UN held the second meeting in its history on a global health issue, by convening a Summit on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD).  The final political declaration of the summit specifically recognises neurological diseases, including Alzheimer’s and other dementias, as an important cause of morbidity, contributing to the global NCD burden, for which there is a need to provide equitable access to effective health-care programmes.

WORLD REPORT

The Alzheimer's Disease International world report at http://www.alz.co.uk/research/world-report-2011 shows that there are interventions that are effective in the early stages of dementia, some of which may be more effective when started earlier, and that there is a strong economic argument in favour of earlier diagnosis and timely intervention.

SA RESEARCH 

An article on the results of the 10/66 project was published on the website of the University of the Free State.  See Prevalence.

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 

• Support group for people with dementia:  Treehaven, PE (next to Kabega Park). For info, please tel Prof Johanita Strumpher 041 360 3246 or 082 378 9062.
• There's a multi-professional Diagnostic & Assessment Clinic on the last Tuesday and the last Wednesday of the month in Walmer, PE.  To book and for more info, contact Dr Heather Rauch 041 581 5300 or 082 657 0536.  Please note that booking is essential.  The clinic is available only to paid-up members of Alzheimer’s SA (R80 p.a.) and costs R120–R300 per visit, which MUST be paid at the clinic.  
• 2012 workshops presented by Alzheimer's SA in Walmer, PE (all are from 10h00-14h00):
  
  Activity and Stimulation Workshop 
  Occupational therapist, Letitia Strauss, who initiated and compiled this workshop, is the presenter.  She was inspired by her regular visits to residential facilities, where people respond remarkably well and it is evident that regular stimulation improves quality of life.  While many homes cannot afford a full-time occupational therapist, what most people don’t realise is that, with the right training and guidance, anyone can offer regular, appropriate stimulation.  This workshop equips employees to add stimulation of residents to their daily tasks.  It provides information about implementing and running stimulation groups, and - because time is such a precious commodity in busy care homes - it's also about introducing stimulation as part of normal activities of daily living, such as eating, bathing and dressing.  Ideally, we train the care workers, people who work closely with the residents every day.  Most such workers have the compassion, enthusiasm and basic skills required to run such programmes, and simply need the knowledge and guidance provided by these workshops.
  The normal price of attendance is R200 per person.  If more than 10 people from one facility attend, the price is R150 per person. 
  Tuesday 20 March
  Saturday 28 July
  Tuesday 13 Nov
  
  Half-day Workshop for Carers, presented by Letitia Strauss and comprising
      10 warning signs of Alzheimer’s dementia
      What is dementia?
      Types of dementia
      Statistics
      Symptoms - 5 stages
      Practical management of the patient
      General medical measures
      Behavioural and environmental manipulation
      Adjunctive pharmacological treatment
      Family Interventions
  Cost:  R120 for paid-up members, R150 for non-members.
  Tuesday 17 April
  Saturday 9 June
  Tuesday 14 Aug
  Saturday 13 Oct
  
  These workshops can be presented at homes for the aged, for staff members.  For enquiries and to book, contact Magriet 041 371 4262 alzec@isat.co.za.

• Regional AGM:  Monday 1 October 2012
• We've got a resources centre at CMR Uitenhage providing pamphlets in English, Afrikaans and isiXhosa.  Contact Miempie van Wyk 071 697 9919 or Tembeka Manono at Kwanobuhle 041 977 1295 / 7888.
• Dementia-care training given.  Tel Dr Heather Rauch 041 581 5300 / 082 657 0536. 

Magriet Meintjes 041 371 4262 alzec@isat.co.za  fax 041 371 4262 or 086 507 2223.   Join our Facebook group - Alzheimer`s SA, Eastern Cape Region - at https://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=hp#!/groups/alzec/. 

FREE STATE

• Opleiding in demensiesorg vir huishulpe word gebied.  Bel asb ons kantoor vir details as u belangstel. 

• The Free State Health Department, together with Alzheimer’s SA, is planning a major event.  Details to follow.

• Information days have taken place in Noorderbloem, Botshabelo (attended by 542 people), Batho, MUCPP, Mmabana, Bloemspruit, Freedom Square, Thusong, Opkoms, Springfontein, Thabo Mofutsanyane (600 people), Ficksburg, Qwa-Qwa, Warden, Reitz, Bethlehem, Tweespruit and Verkeerdevlei.
• We've run our training course, Caring for the person with dementia, in Vrede, Clocolan, Kroonstad, Frankfort, Parys, ThabaNchu, Ladybrand and Koppies, at Huis Sorgvry in Reitz, at Fichardtpark in Bloemfontein and in Heilbron, Ficksburg, Petrus Steyn and Witsieshoek.  Please contact our office to discuss your staff training needs. 
• Dementia assessment is available at the clinic at Universitas Hospital, Bloemfontein.  Tel 051 405 3911.  Cost depends on income. 

Petra du Toit 051 522 4894 alzheimersfs@telkomsa.net

GAUTENG

• Our 3-day workshop, Caring for the Person with Dementia in a Domestic Environment, will be run at our offices in Lyndhurst on 27, 28 and 29 March 2012.  Please phone to book a place - contact details below.

• Sensory stimulation:  talks, training and items for sale, all available from occupational therapist Sylvia Birkhead sylvia@icon.co.za.
• Can you help?  Ubuntu Old Age Home in Jabulani cares for 13 elderly people, some with dementia.  The home needs adult nappies, kitchen cupboards, vinyl flooring, bedding, towels, a wheelchair, wardrobes and structural improvements.  If you can help, please talk to our Gauteng office (number below) or Nancy at national office 011 792 2511, or to Lydia Mahlaba directly on 011 930 4559. 
• Peaceforce Security is selling cycling shirts at R75 each and will donate the proceeds to Alzheimer's SA.  Contact Jolanda at Peaceforce 011 442 8900 if you're interested.
• Saxophonist Nick Hulett will play for residents of homes or other groups, if you will cover his travel costs:  unique1@myconnection.co.za.

Loraine Schirlinger 011 346 2757  NB:  we've moved to new office premises in Lyndhurst alzheimers@myconnection.co.za  Visit our Facebook page - Alzheimer's Gauteng.

KWAZULU-NATAL

LIMPOPO

• We're establishing a new caregiver support group for Tzaneen and Nkowankowa residents. 
• Piet Potgieter Monumenttehuis in Mokopane employs carers trained by us.  If you would like your staff trained, email nancy@alzheimers.org.za.
• We are conducting an awareness campaign in the province, working with the Dept of Social Development and our partners in the project, Bokamoso.   

Contact:  national office 011 792 2511 info@alzheimers.org.za

MPUMALANGA

There are support services in Botleng, Emalahleni, Nelspruit, Secunda and White River.  We also offer staff training.

Lorna Kirsten or Allyson Broodryk (09h00-14h00 Mon-Wed-Fri) 013 007 0089 alzheimers.mpu@gmail.com 

NOORD-KAAP

• Demensie-sorg kursus beskikbaar.
• We wish our new regional council members welcome:  Hennie Naude, Anneline Booysen and Patricia Kok.

Julia Pretorius 053 831 5815  ncape@alzheimers.org.za

NOORD-WES

• U word vriendelik uitgenooi!  Potchefstroom Gholf Klub, 9 Maart:  ons bied ons tweede gholfdag aan as ‘n fondsinsamelingsprojek, vanweë die sukses- en genotvolle poging in April 2011.  Formaat:  IPS “Shotgun Start”.  U aandeel kan wees in die vorm van ʼn borgskap van pryse, ‘n borgskap van ʼn putjie (R1,000) of inskrywing van ʼn vierbal (R1,300).   As borg van ‘n putjie sal u geleentheid kry om u bemarkingsmateriaal bv baniere op te sit om erkenning te kry.  Ons sal ook erkenning aan borge gee in tydskrifte en koerante.  Indien u dit verlang kan ons vir u ‘n belastingsertifikaat stuur vir aftrekking.  U betrokkenheid sal baie waardeer word.  Kontak ons gerus vir bankbesonderhede en enige verdere navrae.
• Besoek Dr Melodie de Jager se webwerf www.seniormindmoves.co.za vir breinoefeninge.

• Simon Moshane is training groups of community workers in “Caring for the person with dementia”.

• We are conducting information days at the Ikageng Clinic.  Contact us for details.

• 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.  Bel 0860 102 681 of skryf aan ons vir details van hierdie en ander groepe in die provinsie.
• Ons het personeel van SAVF tehuise in Stella, Lichtenburg, Zeerust, Fochville, Potchefstroom en Vryburg in demensie-sorg opgelei.

Hilda Kleynhans of Roné Jansen van Vuuren 018 293 0678 uitbr 21 of 071 473 5705 asapotch@gmail.com.  Besoek ons op Facebook - Alzheimer's Noordwes.

SOUTHERN CAPE

• One-day workshop for carers:  Thursday 2 February, Plettenberg Bay.  Enquiries and bookings through Jennifer (see below).
• Please contact us to discuss your dementia-care training needs.
• Mossel Bay:  Huis Elsje is a home offering specialised dementia care.  Right now, there's no waiting list. 

• We have established resources centres where you can get information about dementia.  They are at Santos Haven Retirement Village in Mossel Bay, at Age-in-Action, Shamrock Building, Courtney St, George, at Huis J J Watson, cor Fichat & Cradock St, George and at the FAMSA offices in Plettenberg Bay and Knysna (Court Square, 21 Spring St). 

• Beaufort West now has a resources centre, at Badisa Ouer Persone, 95 Bird St.  Visitors are welcome.

• 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

• Homes without waiting lists:  Robin Trust in Pinelands - 021 447 1565 (R4,500 pm includes meals and laundry) and Elcare in Brackenfell - 021 949 7588.
• Lambert's Bay - contact Colleen Haasbroek of Age-in-Action, West Coast, ph/fax 027 432 2830 or 082 694 4968 if you would like information.
• Visit our resources centre at 5 Study St, Table View, to learn more about Alzheimer’s.  Tel 021 556 8269.  
• Another resources centre is at 41 Lourens St, Somerset West.  Contact Madelein Duvenhage 084 228 3632.
• If you would like to get involved as a volunteer, talk to Jill - number below.

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

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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.