Elderly people empowered by anti-abuse campaign
Elderly residents in attendance gained valuable knowledge about dementia and Alzheimer's which affects a person's mental health. They were also educated about elder abuse.
IN a proactive endeavour to tackle the urgent issues of elder abuse and mental health in the community, BAFDT and Women of Wentworth (Wow) recently joined forces to orchestrate an enlightening event at the Malibongwe Centre in Wentworth on April 4.
This gathering served as a beacon of empowerment for seniors, illuminating pivotal subjects like mental health, unresolved trauma and elder abuse.
Also read: BAFDT encourages community to get help through their support group
Audrey Anderson, the founder of BAFDT, articulated that the event aimed to arm seniors with the requisite tools and knowledge to navigate the complexities of mental health issues, with a specific focus on dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Anderson emphasised, “Many of the elderly were not aware of mental health issues, but after highlighting and explaining the symptoms, they became aware of how prevalent it is. The importance of sharing information like this, especially with senior citizens, is vital because they were not always taught about the importance of mental health.”
Moreover, the session delved into the sensitive issue of elder abuse, providing attendees with strategies to identify and address instances of mistreatment.
Anderson remarked, “The primary objective of the talk was successfully achieved as the seniors expressed great satisfaction with the information and insights shared.”
Having accomplished their goal of educating and empowering seniors, both BAFDT and Wow reiterated their dedication to ongoing advocacy and support for the community’s elders.
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