Dementia, a condition associated with a decline in cognitive or mental functioning that occurs particularly in the elderly, can be bewildering and exceptionally challenging to deal with, not just for the individual concerned, but also for their families and loved ones.
“The literature informs us that dementia is often an exceptionally tough health syndrome for everyone involved, and we as professionals in the field see its devastating effects, because it often results in the affected individual’s memory and cognitive functioning becoming eroded over time, and may ultimately completely rob them of their independence,” says Emmie Jackson, a health risk assessor and care coordinator in private practice, who is partnered with the Livewell Group.
Jackson, who is also a registered psychiatric nurse and has considerable experience in working with people living with dementia says, while there is a lack of accurate statistics regarding the numbers of South Africans who are impacted by dementia, as opposed to age related cognitive and physical decline, it is a syndrome increasingly diagnosed among the elderly.
“In the later stages of dementia, the affected individual may experience severe memory loss, mood swings, and even have difficulties communicating with and relating to others. They may also struggle to complete even the simplest of daily activities, including taking care of themselves,” she adds.
“The lack of knowledge and support and understanding of what to expect from the future often places considerable emotional stress on families who care for them within the home environment particularly as the primary carer is likely to be juggling other daily demands such as work and taking care of the needs of other family members.
“It can also represent a growing financial burden, as the individual is likely to require special facilities and arrangements to remain safe, stimulated and healthy. Many may require a full time nurse, or need to be cared for at a dedicated facility,” she adds.
“While dementia is sadly still considered incurable and progressively erodes memory, other cognitive and physical functions, various medications and therapies are available today to manage some of the complex difficulties and symptoms.
She says, depending on the underlying causes of the symptoms, such as acute delirium (confusion) caused as a result of dehydration and infection, some symptoms can be reversed, or debilitating problems such as memory loss, can at least be delayed from progressing. Many of the conditions associated with dementia such as depression, can also often be successfully treated and managed, and the individual’s quality of life meaningfully improved.
“In other words, much can be done for most people with dementia, particularly when the syndrome and its underlying causes are identified at an early stage. For these reasons it is important for elderly individuals who are showing signs of cognitive decline be assessed by a healthcare practitioner who has experience in elder care,” explains Jackson.
Activities and therapy for dementia patients
Ivan Oosthuizen, chief executive officer of Livewell Group, agrees and advises that it is also critical for people with dementia to be stimulated with activities while being able to express their creativity and interact with others on a daily basis as far as possible. Many of the symptoms that are associated with dementia, such as behavioural issues, depression, anxiety and others, can be greatly alleviated when the person with dementia is able to participate in balanced programmes filled with enjoyable activities.
It is with this in mind that Livewell has developed a day-programme, available to both residents and day visitors, that is packed with carefully planned activities and therapies. These are tailored to meet the intellectual needs of, and provide support to, the individual with dementia who is being taken care of at home. We also run a free support group for people with dementia and those who care for them.
The aim of Livewell’s daily dementia programmes, which are hosted at its elder memory care facilities in Johannesburg and Cape Town, is to provide both day-residents and live-in residents with the necessary individualised professional care to support them and their families. Our day programmes have been especially designed to enable family members who feel, that despite doing their level best, they are in need of additional professional support during the day, and a safe haven where they know that their loved one will be well cared for, stimulated and supported at every level.
It should be noted that Livewell’s day programme is not simply a drop-off facility for the elderly. The person with dementia needs to be assessed by the facility’s professional staff and a programme must be specifically structured to meet their needs and requirements. As part of this process, they will be introduced and orientated to the environment and be made to feel completely safe and comfortable.
Even if they do struggle to remember things from one minute to the next, we find it is beneficial for the person with dementia to have structure to their day and week, it is therefore helpful if they attend our programmes regularly. Overnight and holiday stays at our villages can also be pre-arranged.
“One of our residents with advanced dementia recently told me that he was not sure where he was, but that he nevertheless ‘really enjoys this place’. For us, these kinds of experiences make our work worthwhile. Many of our day-visitors have been given a new lease on life and have made new friends in the process. Some family members have remarked on the positive change, particularly in tangible areas such as an improvement in engagement levels,” Oosthuizen notes.
He says some families find that the day programme is a good way to introduce their loved one to Livewell’s facilities with the view of them becoming live-in residents should they move on to requiring full-time care.
Improving quality of life
Dementia is not a disease but is rather considered a syndrome, which describes a set of symptoms that manifest differently in individuals. These may have a variety of different causes including, for example, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, or vascular disease, and may occur as a result of a medical condition such as a stroke. The incorrect use of certain medications may also result in symptoms in some individuals.
“Most of us can suffer problems with memory at some stage, particularly as we get older, but dementia is only likely to be considered a diagnosis when symptoms such as memory loss are causing significant and increasing impairment to the individual’s day-to-day functioning,” explains Jackson.
At Livewell, we want both our full- and part-time residents to remain as engaged with their families and involved in daily community life as possible. In our experience, even residents with the most advanced dementia whose memories are severely impaired, can be assisted to appreciate and find joy and meaning in the moment.
Support Groups
Livewell support group meetings offer an environment for loved ones of people with dementia, including friends, spouses, children and caregivers, to share their journeys and receive support from one another. Whether you need information about caregiving, wanting to share your story or simply need to be in a safe environment to seek help, the Livewell support group is there to offer guidance and advice.