Creating awareness is the priority for Alzheimer’s Mpumalanga
"As there is no cure for dementia, the first goal of management remains holistic physical and emotional care," Alzheimer's South Africa said in their Introduction to Dementia.
Chairman of Alzheimer’s Mpumalanga,Lorna Kirsten, says that lack of knowledge is the main reason for the challenges the organisation faces.
“In some communities, people are ashamed and embarrassed of family members with Alzheimer’s disease. They hide them away as if they don’t exist. In others, they are assaulted and abused or left without food and water,” she said.
“It all comes down to the fact that people are not aware of the disease or they do not properly understand how to deal with sufferers of the disease. Creating awareness is our most important role in society at present.”
Also see: Remember: today is World Alzheimer’s Day
Alzheimer’s Mpumalanga services include counselling for families or friends of loved ones living with the disease, support groups, training for care givers as well as general awareness.
For more information, contact Alzheimer’s Mpumalanga on 013-752-3578 or visit www.alzheimers.org.za.
