Building dementia awareness
BRYANSTON - The Livewell Village in Bryanston was the perfect setting for an informative media session surrounding the complex disease of dementia.
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In an attempt to give members of the media insight into the intricate processes of diagnosing and treating dementia, research manager at Livewell Suites, Madré Fraenkel, hosted a discussion to ensure the disease is accurately and fairly depicted in local media.
“I want to tell people that dementia is difficult to care for. The message I want people to know is that quality of life can improve after a loved one has been diagnosed with dementia, you just need to the proper support systems in place,” said Fraenkel.
She gave a presentation with an overview of the disease and stressed that treatment is unique to the person and that the patient must be treated rather than the disease.
With support from the media, she said she hoped that better awareness of the disease could lead to well-financed studies on the types of dementia specific to South Africa.
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