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The church’s role in helping people to deal with the different stages of dementia
Church in the Community - Media Release in the Herald: 16th October 2023
Source: TCN / Heather Rauch
Date Added: 2023-10-16
Category: General News, TCN News, Issues - General, Issues - Medical,
Date Added: 2023-10-16
Category: General News, TCN News, Issues - General, Issues - Medical,
One of the many factors which make dementia so difficult for the family and loved ones to deal with is that no two people show the same symptoms or experience the disease in the same way.
This is also true of the different stages, because the brain is so complex.
For me, there are three stages – early, moderate and advanced.
The causes of dementia depend on the type. What we do know is that the brain has a disease that makes it change, and that the symptoms usually only start appearing in people over 60.
It is very important to identify dementia in its early stages as there is medication available to slow down the progression of the disease, and it is well priced.
Often people go undiagnosed at this early stage due to denial – by themselves and their families.
The nature of the disease is that there are good days and bad days, good hours and bad hours.
People learn to compensate for memory loss, and where couples have been together for 35 to 50 years, they know each other so well that they compensate for their partner, often sub-consciously.
Diagnosis is also complex. You ideally need a multi-disciplinary team consisting of a social worker or mental health professional and medical practitioner for the initial diagnosis.
To confirm the disease and to treat it you will ideally need a neurologist and a psychiatrist.
Ideally, your GP should be part of the team and should have identified the early symptoms.
However, my experience is that many GPs just see the symptoms as the inevitable progression of age, about which nothing can be done.
It may be a long and scary journey, but do not give up if you believe that you or a loved one is starting to show the early signs of dementia.
Also, in the early, earlier stages, it is really good to eliminate what it's not.
There could be physical causes, such as thyroid and vitamin deficiencies.
Depression may have similar symptoms, which is exacerbated by social isolation.
Many people are struggling to integrate back into society after the Covid lockdowns.
You could see this in your church attendance.
People are falling through the cracks because they are living alone as their family has emigrated or left town.
Many sufferers in their early and moderate stages are able to hide their symptoms while chatting to the family over the phone or via a video call.
They may even be able to pull it off during the Christmas visit by the family.
Congregants should reach out to the people who have not come back.
Do not be put off by the response of those suffering from dementia – remember, it is the disease, not the person.
If they tell you to go away, try to identify and understand the underlying emotions. They may be fearful or depressed.
Their coping mechanism may be to isolate themselves by chasing people away.
Signs to look for when you are invited into the home include signs that the place has not been cleaned for some time, decaying food in the fridge, and evidence that they have not washed themselves or their clothes recently.
It is really important that they stay connected with their community and loved ones for as long as possible.
In the early stages this could mean giving them a lift to church or cell group.
As the disease progresses, even these familiar surroundings and people may become threatening and overwhelming.
Then you support them through pastoral visits, having tea and treats in their home and ensuring that they are safe and comfortable.
In the advanced stage of the disease, it may not be helpful to take them out, much as you think that some fresh air and a cup of tea overlooking the sea will do them good.
One of the symptoms of dementia is disorientation.
Taking a sufferer out of their familiar surroundings can very stressful.
It can also be stressful for the person providing the treat. Manners often disappear in the moderate and advanced stages of the disease and the suffer could make a scene in the restaurant or become the object ofridicule and pity.
Always ask before taking them out.
All they may want and are able to cope with is a drive along the beach-front and to sit in the car and watch the waves.
As a rule of thumb, visit them in their homes as the disease progresses.
Make it more interesting by bringing a board game, cards or some activity that they still find interesting.
Music is important to people suffering from dementia. Make up compilations of favourite songs that they can sing and dance to, or just listen.
Hymns are soothing and bring hope and comfort.
The strength of the church community should be that these responsibilities need not fall on one person. It could be the ministry of any number of congregants who feel called for a season.
And do not forget about the family which is caring for their loved one. They also need all the support you can give.
October is mental health month, following World Alzheimer’s Day on September 21.
Dr Heather Rauch
Eastern Cape regional manager of the Association for Dementia and Alzheimer’s South
Africa and a private social work practitioner.
This is also true of the different stages, because the brain is so complex.
For me, there are three stages – early, moderate and advanced.
The causes of dementia depend on the type. What we do know is that the brain has a disease that makes it change, and that the symptoms usually only start appearing in people over 60.
It is very important to identify dementia in its early stages as there is medication available to slow down the progression of the disease, and it is well priced.
Often people go undiagnosed at this early stage due to denial – by themselves and their families.
The nature of the disease is that there are good days and bad days, good hours and bad hours.
People learn to compensate for memory loss, and where couples have been together for 35 to 50 years, they know each other so well that they compensate for their partner, often sub-consciously.
Diagnosis is also complex. You ideally need a multi-disciplinary team consisting of a social worker or mental health professional and medical practitioner for the initial diagnosis.
To confirm the disease and to treat it you will ideally need a neurologist and a psychiatrist.
Ideally, your GP should be part of the team and should have identified the early symptoms.
However, my experience is that many GPs just see the symptoms as the inevitable progression of age, about which nothing can be done.
It may be a long and scary journey, but do not give up if you believe that you or a loved one is starting to show the early signs of dementia.
Also, in the early, earlier stages, it is really good to eliminate what it's not.
There could be physical causes, such as thyroid and vitamin deficiencies.
Depression may have similar symptoms, which is exacerbated by social isolation.
Many people are struggling to integrate back into society after the Covid lockdowns.
You could see this in your church attendance.
People are falling through the cracks because they are living alone as their family has emigrated or left town.
Many sufferers in their early and moderate stages are able to hide their symptoms while chatting to the family over the phone or via a video call.
They may even be able to pull it off during the Christmas visit by the family.
Congregants should reach out to the people who have not come back.
Do not be put off by the response of those suffering from dementia – remember, it is the disease, not the person.
If they tell you to go away, try to identify and understand the underlying emotions. They may be fearful or depressed.
Their coping mechanism may be to isolate themselves by chasing people away.
Signs to look for when you are invited into the home include signs that the place has not been cleaned for some time, decaying food in the fridge, and evidence that they have not washed themselves or their clothes recently.
It is really important that they stay connected with their community and loved ones for as long as possible.
In the early stages this could mean giving them a lift to church or cell group.
As the disease progresses, even these familiar surroundings and people may become threatening and overwhelming.
Then you support them through pastoral visits, having tea and treats in their home and ensuring that they are safe and comfortable.
In the advanced stage of the disease, it may not be helpful to take them out, much as you think that some fresh air and a cup of tea overlooking the sea will do them good.
One of the symptoms of dementia is disorientation.
Taking a sufferer out of their familiar surroundings can very stressful.
It can also be stressful for the person providing the treat. Manners often disappear in the moderate and advanced stages of the disease and the suffer could make a scene in the restaurant or become the object ofridicule and pity.
Always ask before taking them out.
All they may want and are able to cope with is a drive along the beach-front and to sit in the car and watch the waves.
As a rule of thumb, visit them in their homes as the disease progresses.
Make it more interesting by bringing a board game, cards or some activity that they still find interesting.
Music is important to people suffering from dementia. Make up compilations of favourite songs that they can sing and dance to, or just listen.
Hymns are soothing and bring hope and comfort.
The strength of the church community should be that these responsibilities need not fall on one person. It could be the ministry of any number of congregants who feel called for a season.
And do not forget about the family which is caring for their loved one. They also need all the support you can give.
October is mental health month, following World Alzheimer’s Day on September 21.
Dr Heather Rauch
Eastern Cape regional manager of the Association for Dementia and Alzheimer’s South
Africa and a private social work practitioner.
Source: TCN / Heather Rauch
Date Added: 2023-10-16
Category: General News, TCN News, Issues - General, Issues - Medical,
Back to News IndexDate Added: 2023-10-16
Category: General News, TCN News, Issues - General, Issues - Medical,
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