DEMENTIA In "Living with Dementia", we share the reality and many challenges of living with dementia with two remarkable women.

More on the DVD "Living with Dementia"

Dementia is commonly characterised by memory loss, changes in personality, deterioration in personal care, impaired reasoning ability and disorientation. Usually a condition of old age, it can occur in young and middle-aged people. The most common cause is Alzheimer’s disease, though it may also result from the destruction of brain tissue by a series of small strokes.

In "Living with Dementia", we share the reality and many challenges of living with dementia with two remarkable women.

More on dementia

Dementia results in impaired brain function, which makes it increasingly difficult for a person to remember, learn and communicate. After a while, which can vary from person to person, persons living with dementia will also find it difficult and eventually impossible to take care of themselves.

Dementia may also change a person's mood and personality over time. At first, memory loss and having difficulty in thinking clearly will bother the person who develops dementia. As time passes and the disease progresses, disruptive behaviour and other unpredictable behavioural problems may start presenting.

The person who has dementia may often be completely unaware of these behavioural problems, making it difficult for their loved ones to deal with the situation.

The following information is important when you have a family member who suffers from Dementia in case of an emergency:

• Medication the patient is currently taking.
• Medication that the patient cannot take.
• Who is the patient's doctor.
• Which facility does this patient go to.
• Name, surname and family details.
• Does the patient have a medical aid.

For more information visit www.crisisoncall.co.za