Who can resist a freshly braaied boerie roll? And when it’s for a good cause, it’s even more satisfying.
On May 2, Thornhill Manor Retirement Village hosted a food market with a purpose. Boerewors rolls with fried onion, tomato sauce and mustard were on offer, along with fluffy pancakes topped with cinnamon sugar and a squeeze of lemon. All proceeds supported Alzheimer’s awareness and fundraising.
Each year, the retirement village goes all out to support World Alzheimer’s Month, held globally in September. Their efforts get underway mid-year and culminate in their main event in September.
Jackie Scott, Thornhill Manor’s deputy manager, says the food market was buzzing with residents ordering takeaways or sitting down to savour their meal in the company of others.
Despite the fun vibe, the food market was used as a platform by Karen Griessel, the village social worker, to get people talking about dementia.
She says communication can be hard for people with Alzheimer’s and related dementias because they have trouble remembering things. They become agitated and anxious, even angry. Language abilities are affected, and people may struggle to find the right words or to speak clearly.
“You may feel frustrated or impatient, but it is important to understand that the disease is causing the change in communication skills,” she says.
To help make communication easier, you can:
- Reassure the person. Speak calmly. Listen to his or her concerns and frustrations. Try to show that you understand if the person is angry or fearful.
- Allow the person to keep as much control in his or her life as possible.
- Respect the person’s personal space.
- Build quiet times into the day, along with activities.
- Keep well-loved objects and photographs around the house to help the person feel more secure.
- Remind the person who you are if he or she doesn’t remember, but try not to say, “Don’t you remember?”
- Encourage a two-way conversation for as long as possible.
- Try distracting the person with an activity, such as a familiar book or photo album, if you are having trouble communicating with words.
