Category Archives: News

Good morning All,

This morning I had the pleasure of reading an article by: Tammy Lenski on the art of Mediation.

She explained how easily communication can go wrong by having one of the students in her class, tap out their favorite song on a drum.  She asked the rest of the class if they could recognize the song from the drumming. Fifty percent of the students put their hands up, but not one of them guessed the song correctly.

The article ended with a youtube clip of Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwo’ole playing, “Somewhere over the rainbow”  on a beach in Hawaii.

The beautiful, lilting music, immediately transported me to my two holidays in Hawaii, smells of lush, damp, undergrowth, and coconut milk filled my nostrils.

A luau with beautiful swayed hula dancers moving to the music.  Rich sunsets on volcanic, black beaches and swimming with iridescent tropical fish in crystal clear waters came to mind.

So imagine my delight when I heard and saw the lovely circle of elderly folk here at Brenthurst Residence singing and clapping to equally evocative music, as they sat in their chairs between the leaves drifting down in our Autumnal garden.

Strains of “This is my story, this is my song, praising my Saviour all the day long” drifted in the air.

I could only wonder, where, being able to sing “It is well with my soul”, transported them to. Smiles, eyes shining with tears brimming, had me saying thank you to being able to facilitate giving them such a wonderful Occupational Therapist in Imaan Abdurahman who so skillfully reached their hearts and memories with her beautiful song choices and melodies to the extent that as the staff were later walking in the garden with residents on their arms, they too were singing the songs as they walked

What a privilege it is for me to be Matron of Brenthurst Residence Nursing Home as “Mother” to these dear folks.

I look forward to writing more info as to the daily living here in the next few blogs.

Please feel free to comment, encourage us, make suggestions and come visit.

Sincerely

Matron Lizann Painter

Alzheimer’s Support Group

 

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September was World Alzheimer’s month. It was a time to educate and raise awareness about Alzheimer’s and how it affects not only those diagnosed, but also those who have to care for their afflicted family member.

At Brenthurst Residence we believe that, while we care for the elderly and those who suffer from Alzheimer’s and other Dementia spectrum diseases, for those in our immediate care to have the best opportunity at an enhanced and simulated life, family plays a significant role. However witnessing your family member slowly loose more and more of who they are is difficult and often traumatizing. We have found that support groups are a fantastic space for family members to come to terms with an often devastating diagnosis, and find new ways to care for their impaired family member.2015-07-29-14-20-49

We have partnered with Alzheimer’s South Africa to run a support group on the first Wednesday of every month at Brenthurst Residence at 15h00. We believe in fostering a healthy community and therefore our support group is open to anyone affected by a family member’s Dementia. Our current group consists of many family members who are caring for their relatives at home. The group creates a space for questions which are expertly answered by Matron Lizann Painter and our in house occupational therapist Imaan Abdurhaman. Both Matron Painter and Imaan are passionate about Elder care and safety.

 

If you are affected by Alzheimer’s or Dementia please join our next support group on 2 November 2016 at 15h00 at 9 Brent Road Plumstead Cape Town. For more information feel free to phone us on 021 762 3935 or Matron Painter directly on 076 130 0558.pexels-photo

If you are interested in learning more about Dementia or Alzheimer’s in particular you can visit the Alzheimer’s South Africa website on www.alzheimers.org.za or their helpline 086 010 2681, Tel: 021 979 2724

The following article is an excerpt from the Alzheimer’s South Africa October newsletter and is used with their permission.

pexels-photo-101664Activities

A person with Alzheimer’s or other dementia doesn’t have to give up the activities that he or she loves. Many activities can be modified to the person’s ability. In addition to enhancing quality of life, activities can reduce behaviours like wandering or agitation. In the early stages of dementia, the person may withdraw from activities he or she previously enjoyed. It is important to help the person remain engaged. Having an open discussion around any concerns and making slight adjustments can make a difference. For example, a large social gathering may be overwhelming, but the person may be able to interact more successfully in smaller groups. As Alzheimer’s progresses, you may need to make other adjustments to the activity. Use the following tips:

  • Keep the person’s skills and abilities in mind. A person with dementia may be able to play simple songs learned on the piano years ago. Bring these types of skills into daily activities.
  • Pay special attention to what the person enjoys. Take note when the person seems happy, anxious, distracted or irritable. Some people enjoy watching sports, while others may be frightened by the pace or noise.
  • Consider if the person begins activities without direction. Does he or she set the table before dinner or sweep the kitchen floor mid-morning? If so, you may wish to plan these activities as part of the daily routine.
  • Be aware of physical problems. Does he or she get tired quickly or have difficulty seeing, hearing or performing simple movements?
  • Focus on enjoyment, not achievement. Find activities that build on remaining skills and talents. A professional artist might become frustrated over the declining quality of work, but an amateur might enjoy a new opportunity for self-expression.
  • Encourage involvement in daily life. Activities that help the individual feel like a valued part of the household — like setting the table — can provide a sense of success and accomplishment.
  • Relate to past work life. A former office worker might enjoy activities that involve organising, like putting coins in a holder or making a to-do list. A farmer or gardener may take pleasure in working in the yard.
  • Look for favourites. The person who always enjoyed drinking coffee and reading the newspaper may still find these activities enjoyable, even if he or she is not able to completely understand what the newspaper says.
  • Consider time of day. Caregivers may find they have more success with certain activities at specific times of day, such as bathing and dressing in the morning.
  • Adjust activities to disease stages. As the disease progresses, you may want to introduce more repetitive tasks. Be prepared for the person to eventually take a less active role in activities.

If you notice a person’s attention span waning or frustration level increasing, it’s likely time to end or modify the activity.

  • Help get the activity started. Most people with dementia still have the energy and desire to do things but may lack the ability to organise, plan, initiate and successfully complete the task.
  • Offer support and supervision. You may need to show the person how to perform the activity and provide simple, easy-to-follow steps.
  • Concentrate on the process, not the result. Does it matter if the towels are folded properly? Not really. What matters is that you were able to spend time together, and that the person feels as if he or she has done something useful.
  • Be flexible. When the person insists that he or she doesn’t want to do something, it may be because he or she can’t do it or fears doing it. Don’t force it. If the person insists on doing it a different way, let it happen, and change it later if necessary.
  • Assist with difficult parts of the task. If you’re cooking, and the person can’t measure the ingredients, finish the measuring and say, “Would you please stir this for me?”
  • Let the individual know he or she is needed. Ask, “Could you please help me?” Be careful, however, not to place too many demands upon the person.
  • Stress a sense of purpose.
  • If you ask the person to make a card, he or she may not respond. But, if you say that you’re sending a special get-well card to a friend and invite him or her to join you, the person may enjoy working on this task with you.
  • Don’t criticise or correct the person. If the person enjoys a harmless activity, even if it seems insignificant or meaningless to you, encourage the person to continue.
  • Encourage self-expression. Include activities that allow the person a chance for expression. These types of activities could include painting, drawing, music or conversation.
  • Involve the person through conversation. While you’re polishing shoes, washing the car or cooking dinner, talk to the person about what you’re doing. Even if the person cannot respond, he or she is likely to benefit from your communication.
  • Substitute an activity for a behaviour. If a person with dementia rubs his or her hand on a table, provide a cloth and encourage the person to wipe the table. Or, if the person is moving his or her feet on the floor, play some music so the person can tap to the beat.
  • Try again later. If something isn’t working, it may just be the wrong time of day or the activity may be too complicated. Try again later, or adapt the activity.