Alzheimer鈥檚 Day (September 21) |21 September 2020
Last caregiver workshop organized by SAF Jun 鈥� Aug 2020
Seychelles Alzheimer鈥檚 Foundation calls for more support
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Today is Alzheimer鈥檚 Day worldwide, and here in the Seychelles, the Seychelles Alzheimer鈥檚 Foundation (SAF) is celebrating it too. Throughout the month, the Foundation has organised various activities to raise awareness about the disease, and today it would be especially fitting to sit down and reflect a little on this disease which, in the light of the current coronavirus pandemic, is being forgotten.
Let鈥檚 look at a few facts about the disease, not to frighten anyone, but more to raise awareness about it.
-听听听听听听听听听听 It has been estimated that a person gets Alzheimer鈥檚 every 3 seconds worldwide.
-听听听听听听听听听听 Because we are now living longer, it is the most common cause of dementia among older adults. The risk of Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia increases with age, affecting an estimated 1 in 14 people over the age of 65 and 1 in every听6 people听over the age of 80.
-听听听听听听听听听听 It does not discriminate between the rich and the poor, educated and less educated. Anyone can get this disease! Examples of famous people who had Alzheimer鈥檚 are President Ronald Reagan and actor Robin Williams.
-听听听听听听听听听听 Memory problems are typically one of the first signs related to Alzheimer鈥檚 disease. However, memory and thinking problems can also be due to other causes such as stroke, a tumor, Parkinson鈥檚 disease,听insomnia,听side effects of medication or an infection. It is best to consult a doctor to find out the cause!
-听听听听听听听听听听 Alzheimer鈥檚 disease can be听definitely听diagnosed only after death, by linking clinical measures with an examination of brain tissue in an autopsy. However, while the patient is alive, a doctor may conduct tests of memory, problem solving, attention, counting, and language.
-听听听听听听听听听听 Alzheimer鈥檚 disease is complex, and it is unlikely that any one drug or other intervention can successfully听treat听it. Currently, the focus is on helping people maintain mental function, manage behavioural symptoms, and slow down certain problems, such as memory loss.
-听听听听听听听听听听 Caring for a person with Alzheimer鈥檚 disease can have high physical, emotional, and financial costs. Becoming well-informed about the disease is one important long-term strategy. Programmes that teach families and caregivers about the various stages of Alzheimer鈥檚 and about ways to deal with difficult behaviour and other caregiving challenges can help. The SAF organises workshops regularly to help train caregivers in this area.
-听听听听听听听听听听 Joining a support group is a critical lifeline. A support group allow caregivers to find respite, express concerns, share experiences, get tips, and receive emotional comfort.听The SAF has a regular support group meeting. To find out when the next one is on, call the SAF Helpline 2817878.
As today is a celebration of Alzheimer鈥檚, why don鈥檛 you make a donation towards the SAF? Or become a member? You can give us a call on 2527871, 2517460, 2576080 or 2827878. You can also write to us on secretaryseyalzhfoundation@gmail.com
We need all the support we can get!
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Contributed by SAF
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