Dementia Support

Dementia is the umbrella term under which various diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s fall, and negatively affect a person’s cognitive functions including memory, language and problem solving abilities. This can be very challenging for the person living with dementia and their loved ones.

Christelle Klopper, Coordinator of Elderly and Disability Care Services at Badisa, emphasises the importance of understanding the condition: “To care for someone with dementia or to better understand the condition, it’s important to gain knowledge. This helps you to support them more effectively on their journey through a new world.”

In this article, Christelle shares some practical tips to help you support those living with dementia.

What is dementia?

Dementia is a group of symptoms that negatively impacts memory, language, problem-solving, reasoning, attention, and logical thinking. Dementia is an umbrella term for several conditions, including Alzheimer’s, Vascular dementia, Parkinson’s, Lewy body dementia, and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (alcohol-related dementia), to name a few.

Early signs and symptoms of dementia

Have your loved one visit their doctor if you suspect the following early signs and symptoms:

Challenges faced by people living with dementia

People living with dementia may experience several challenges, including language difficulties, making it especially hard to communicate in a second language. Chronic conditions like hearing or speech problems can further complicate communication, requiring extra support and understanding from loved ones.

“Listen more and talk less – this is key to connecting with a person living with dementia.”

Christelle Klopper

Communicating with a person living with dementia

Communication becomes more difficult as dementia progresses. Here are tips to improve communication:

Activities for people with dementia

Daily activities can improve the well-being of someone with dementia. Focus on what they can do, such as:

For more information or to learn more about Badisa’s services to older persons and those living with disabilities, visit www.badisa.org.za.

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