Residents of Fochville and surrounding communities recently had the opportunity to gain valuable insight into dementia and Alzheimer’s disease during an informative presentation hosted by the Silwerjare Club at the SAVF Fochville Retirement Village Community Hall on July 7.

The monthly Silwerjare gathering welcomed Mrs Welma Geldenhuys, Senior Social Worker at the Association for Dementia and Alzheimer’s of South Africa (ADASA) Gauteng, as guest speaker.

Mrs Geldenhuys presented an engaging and practical talk aimed at increasing awareness of dementia and equipping older persons and their families with knowledge about the condition.

She explained the differences between dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, discussed the various forms of dementia, and highlighted some of the medical and lifestyle factors that may contribute to the development of these conditions.

An important focus of the presentation was that, although not all forms of dementia can be prevented, there are many lifestyle choices that may reduce a person’s risk.

The audience was encouraged to remain physically active, maintain a healthy diet, keep their minds stimulated through lifelong learning and social interaction, manage chronic health conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, and seek medical advice when early signs of memory changes become apparent.

The presentation also emphasised the importance of recognising the early warning signs of dementia, understanding the impact the disease has on individuals and their families, and seeking support as early as possible.

ADASA continues to play a vital role in educating communities, supporting families, and advocating for people living with dementia throughout South Africa.

The informative session was well received by those in attendance, with many participants expressing their appreciation for the practical information and the opportunity to ask questions and engage with an experienced professional in the field. SAVF Fochville Retirement Village extends its sincere appreciation to Mrs Welma Geldenhuys and ADASA Gauteng for investing their time and expertise in educating the Fochville community.

The retirement village also thanks the Silwerjare Club for its ongoing commitment to providing meaningful educational and social programmes that enrich the lives of older persons.

Community members who would like to learn more about dementia or the support services offered by ADASA are encouraged to contact Mrs Welma Geldenhuys at [email protected] or visit the ADASA website at https://www.adasa.org.za/regions/gauteng