Projects

DEMENTIA FRIENDLY HERMANUS. “What is good for people with dementia is good for everybody”

Dr Kathie Buley studied medicine at UCT. She graduated in 1971 as Dr Kathleen Walker and spent most of her working years working at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital in the departments of cardiology, neurology and paediatric HIV medicine. Angela Heslop chairperson of Red Cross and a registered nurse with a background in research and teaching offered to work with Dr Buley and support and fund this project

A.S.A.P. This model developed by the late professor Bongani Mayosi is an exemplar of note when improving understanding and care of a medical condition.

AWARENESS: People have heard of dementia, but a better understanding is needed, particularly as many elderly people live in Hermanus.

SURVEILLANCE – A survey of all facilities available with respect to diagnosis and management is needed.

ADVOCACY – With information empowerment follows. Advocates are needed to support people living with dementia, to improve care facilities and to reduce stigma.

PREVENTION - educate people with respect to lifestyle changes which prevent onset and progression of dementia

2023: Work to date: Kathie has made 3 presentations to U3A, spoken to Probus, Kidbrooke and Quest

The first lecture in this “Demystifying Dementia” series focused on the disease, the second looked at the brain and the third looked at the person with the condition.

These can all be viewed on U Tube

Should you be interested here are the links.

Part 1: https://youtu.be/xe7OUCL6RAg

Part 2: https://youtu.be/f3ayB5-9kt0

Part 3: https://youtu.be/rjhpVMiDdCw

2024: Awareness

The presentation, Nurtured by Nature: A Role for Nature in Dementia Care was presented to U3A by Alice Ashwell. She explained the use of a Scottish community-based dementia care model as a framework to explore the many benefits of maintaining contact with Nature and the outdoors for as long as possible along the dementia journey. Alice Ashwell PhD, Dementia Educator & Coach. The lecture was extremely well received and we plan to get Alice back for a workshop in 2025. She can be contacted at https://heartofnature.co.za/dementia-connections

Advocacy

Social Worker Leigh Haselau facilitated an interactive workshop for carers of dementia patients. It focused on person- centred care and help with understanding emotions, feelings and so- called challenging behaviours. The evaluation forms gave positive input and further workshops will be planned for 2025

Surveillance

Leigh made available a list of facilities available to persons with dementia and their families. This will form the basis for a flier listing all services available in the Overstrand. The aim is to have this ready for distribution early in 2025. Data is being collected and will be collated into a flier format. The South African Red Cross Society will fund this.

Prevention

Red-Cross Facility

We are planning to invite Dr Rayne Stroebel to facilitate workshops in 2025 particularly with respect to prevention strategies

Update compiled by K Buley September2024