New Alzheimer’s offices in the city
"Alzheimer's is a degenerative and progressive disease which usually affects the elderly and it is often misunderstood in the early stages,” said Lorna Kirsten, chairman of Alzheimer's Mpumalanga.
MBOMBELA – “Alzheimer’s disease affects people worldwide. No one race or country is exempt. It is a disease that does not discriminate.”
Lorna Kirsten, Chairman of Alzheimer’s Mpumalanga was speaking at the official opening of the organisation’s new offices in the Maxsa building last Friday. This week, two satellite offices will also open in Bushbuckridge and Kamshlushwa.
A morning tea was held at the new offices in order to thank the sponsors and volunteers for their contributions without which the organisation would not survive.
“Awareness of the illness, training of the care givers and the counselling of families would not be possible without generous contributions from local businesses and the volunteers who work tirelessly for this cause,” Kirsten said.
Also read: Creating awareness is the priority for Alzheimer’s Mpumalanga
She says that the opening of the satellite offices is an endeavor to reach all population groups.
“In rural areas, Alzheimer’s disease is often associated with witch craft and patients are treated very badly; they are sometimes burnt or dropped off in the bush without food or water,” she said.
“People need to understand that there is a difference between old age and dementia. It is a degenerative and progressive disease which usually affects the elderly and it is often misunderstood in the early stages.”
Kirsten has been involved with Alzheimer’s South Africa for 30 years. She was originally only a contact person in Mpumalanga province. After caring for her mother-in-law who suffered from Alzheimer’s, she started support groups for the carers of people with the disease. It was through this endeavor that she realised there needed to be a branch opened in Mbombela. Alzheimer’s Mpumalanga has been up and running for more than five years now.
Alzheimer’s Mpumalanga has one paid employee, Linda Barnard, who takes care of all administration for the organisation in the area. Kirsten and the rest of her team are volunteers.
