Andries Vermaak’s death serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of Boksburg’s aged community and should lead to open conversations about how we can assist those living with degenerative conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s.

This is according to Liza Oosthuizen, manager of the Suid Afrikaanse Vroue Federasie (SAVF) Cosmos Old Age Home, in Van Dyk Park.

Vermaak, a 75-year-old Sunward Park resident who suffered from dementia, was reported missing from his Sunward Park home on August 2.

His body was found ten days later, on August 12, in a spruit at Bokkie Park.

The discovery came after a mass community search for Vermaak, which was mobilised by Bobby Marilli, the founder of the Boksburg 911 WhatsApp group, which boasts a 5 000-strong membership, as well as his family, friends, Missing in SA Search and Rescue and Missing in Southern Africa.

At the time of his disappearance, Vermaak’s daughter, Chérie van de Venter, with whom he lived, said he had left home on previous occasions, but was found mere hours later.

Awareness is a broad responsibility

“Dementia patients are known to wander,” said Oosthuizen.

“They may leave the safety and familiarity of their homes believing that they need to go to work, fetch their children, visit a family member or return to a home they lived in many years ago. To them, their reason for leaving may make perfect sense.”

Oosthuizen said that dementia awareness is not only the responsibility of families, caregivers and care facilities; it is something entire communities need to understand.

When leaving home, dementia sufferers may become confused about where they are, even if they have lived in the area for several years.

“Once lost, they can become frightened, exhausted and vulnerable to traffic, falls, extreme temperatures and other dangers,” explained Oosthuizen.

How to assist:

• If you see an elderly person who seems lost or confused, take a moment to observe their movements and behaviour.
• Approach the person calmly and from the front.
• Smile, introduce yourself and speak slowly and gently.
• Questions to ask: Are you OK? Can I help you? Is there someone I can phone for you?
“Avoid asking too many questions at once; remaining calm is essential to getting them to safety,” said Oosthuizen.
“Do not argue with them or repeatedly tell them that they are wrong or confused. Instead, reassure them that they are safe.”

Getting help:

• Gently guide them to a safe, quiet area away from traffic, crowds and excessive noise.
• If you cannot establish where they live, contact the police, emergency services or a local private security company.
• Do not let them continue walking unattended.

Wandering preparedness:

“Wandering can occur unexpectedly and caring for someone with dementia can become particularly challenging when family caregivers are also working, raising families or managing other responsibilities,” said Oosthuizen.

“Plan for wandering episodes before the first incident occurs.”

• Keep a recent photograph of your loved one readily available.
• Make sure neighbours and trusted people within your immediate community know that a person suffering from dementia is living with you.
• Invest in emergency identification bracelets, bands, necklaces or a card containing the person’s name and family contact information.
• Consider technological implements such as door alerts, monitoring systems or location devices.
• Pay attention to changes in behaviour. Restlessness, repeatedly asking to “go home,” looking for doors, talking about going to work or searching for someone may indicate that the person is becoming more likely to leave.
• Dementia progresses and therefore consideration must be given if it is still safe for the person to be left alone.

“The amount of supervision and support a person requires can change significantly over time,” said Oosthuizen.

“Care facilities such as SAVF Cosmos Old Aged Home offer day stays for people living with dementia, providing families with a safe care option during the day while they are at work.”

“Short-term stay options are also available to assist families when a caregiver needs a well-deserved break or when the family would like to go away on holiday, knowing that their loved one is being cared for in a safe environment.

“Sometimes accepting a little help can make an enormous difference to both the person living with dementia and the people who love and care for them.”

We all have a role to play

A dementia-friendly community is one where we notice each other.

If you see an older person walking alone who appears confused, frightened, inadequately dressed for the weather or unsure of their surroundings, don’t just drive past or walk away.

Stop. Ask. Listen. Reassure. Get help.

“A person living with dementia may not be able to tell you that they are lost; sometimes they need a stranger to recognise it for them,” said Oosthuizen in closing.

For assistance from Boksburg Society for the Aged, contact them on 011 915 5416.

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