Dementia talk sets Wentworth woman’s plan into motion
Gael Meek aims to educate the community about caring for dementia patients and how to treat them.
AFTER her 70-year-old mother went missing for a few days due to her advanced dementia, Wentworth’s Gael Meek of has set in motion her goals of educating the community about caring for dementia patients and how to treat them.
Her campaign began with a talk held at Austerville community hall on Wednesday, 26 July.
Guest speakers, Dr Teise and Elena Hattingh of Alzheimer Association of South Africa welcomed the crowd and gave a presentation on dementia and Alzheimers disease.
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Meek was amazed by the turnout to her first awareness talk. “By the end of the talk people expressed their gratitude that this was held and how much not only they but the entire community needed it. I was truly surprised by the turnout. It was a bitterly cold day and I personally thought if we got 20 people it would be great. However, in that wind and bitter cold, about 75 or so chairs were filled by people who came in taxi loads, others who walked and some who shared rides. I was pleasantly surprised,” she said.
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As the programme ended, it was felt that a lot of work is still to be done in helping the community to find a way forward in caring for the elderly. “We want to teach them to no longer feel ashamed of their family member and to educate people who might think someone is possessed – they are just scared and need you to understand and help them through the confusion. With the guidance of the Alzheimer Association, we have the tools to help ourselves and each other by starting a support group. The Victim Friendly Centre on Austerville Drive is more than happy to let us use their facilities,” added Meek.
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She has also started a Facebook support group called Wentworth’s Care and Caregivers Support Corner, where people are encouraged to share their experiences and ask questions or give advice. “Within the group I will be starting a dementia diary, where I will share all the tricks I’ve learned and maybe their experiences could teach me something,” she added.
For more information call Gael Meek on 072-884-0300.
