Dementia is a brain disorder affecting a person’s ability to complete daily activities. The most common form among older people being Alzheimer’s disease, which affects the parts of the brain that control thoughts, memories, and language.
When a person is living with dementia or Alzheimer’s, a caregiver is often needed – a difficult task that can become overwhelming at times.
Each day can bring new challenges as a patient’s levels of ability deteriorate. Caregivers themselves are at increased risk of depression, particularly if they don’t receive sufficient support.
Hosted by the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag), the Facebook Friday chat tomorrow will provide caregivers with a better understanding of what they can do to help patients as well as themselves to cope better when caring for Alzheimer’s sufferers.
Is your loved one experiencing memory problems or having personality or behaviour changes? Join our FREE #FacebookFriday Online Q&A tomorrow and our experts will answer all your questions.
Find out how to identify early warning signs and treatment options. Log on for the live #FacebookFriday online Q&A between 1pm to 2pm and again at 7pm to 8pm by going onto www.sadag.org and click through to our Facebook page.
You can participate in this free Facebook chat from the comfort of your home, at work, or anywhere you can go online.
“The great advantage is that people have direct access to top experts without paying consultation fees,” says Sadag’s operations director, Cassey Chambers.
Karen Borochowitz, director at Dementia SA, and psychiatrist Dr Ryan Fuller will be answering all your questions.
If you’d like to ask your questions anonymously, e-mail them to [email protected] and we’ll post it on your behalf. Then, just watch the chat for answers.
Sadag also provides free telephonic counselling, information and nationwide referrals to support groups, psychologists, psychiatrists, clinics and more.
Online resources such as brochures, articles and self-help videos can be found at www.sadag.org
To speak to a counsellor, call 0800 70 80 90, seven days a week, every day of the year from 8am to 8pm.