News
Nature stirs the soul in dementia sufferers
ELAINE DAVIE
The positive influence of nature on dementia sufferers must not be underestimated
Those who seem to have lost all connection with an earlier life and the people they shared it with can experience moments of deep joy when they respond positively to nature’s sights, sounds, and scents.
This was the positive message conveyed by Alice Ashwell of Dementia Connections at a recent Nurtured by Nature workshop for carers of people with dementia, held at Fernkloof Gardens.
The interactive event, sponsored by the Hermanus Red Cross Society, was attended by 20 institutional and individual carers, some of whom were family members of loved ones with dementia. Carers need as much support as their charges.
Alice focused on the role of nature in restoring both physical and mental health. “Instead of keeping patients cooped up indoors, get them outside,” she advised.
“It improves their quality of sleep, bone health and immunity. Being in nature also extends their attention span listening to birds, touching plants, feeling grass under their feet, and sniffing the air. It reduces stress, anxiety, and depression.
The Covid lockdown saw a 26% increase in dementia. After it was lifted, some people lost the confidence to go out and interact with others. It’s been demonstrated that various nature-based interventions, such as horticultural, animal-assisted and eco-therapy, have life-changing positive effects on emotional wellness.
Workshop participants meandered through the peaceful Fernkloof Gardens for a hands-on experience of what it was all about. They were encouraged to maintain silence to become aware of the sounds and smells of their surroundings.
Alice led them through a series of Chinese, nature-inspired Qi Gong movements, which are easy to learn and gentle on the body, even for those wheelchair-bound.
To quote late neurologist, Oliver Sacks: “ I cannot say exactly how nature exerts its calming and organising effects on our brains, but I have seen in my patients the restorative and healing powers of nature and gardens, even for those who are deeply disabled neurologically.
In many cases, gardens and nature are more powerful than any medication.”
For more information on the ASAP (Awareness, Surveillance, Advocacy and Prevention) project, contact Kathie Buley on pjbuley@telkomsa.net.
The Nourished by Nature workshop for carers of people with dementia was presented by Alice Ashwell of Dementia Connections, organised by Kathie Buley of ASAP and sponsored by Hermanus Red Cross, represented by Angela Heslop. On the wall between them are some of the participants’ mini collages. PHOTO: Elaine Davie
Soup kitchen adds first aid to food aid
Visitors to the Maria-Anita Pieterse's soup kitchen in Mount Pleasant are receiving basic first aid skills training through a new scheme launched in partnership with the Hermanus branch of the South African Red Cross Society.
The project provides participants with the basic tools to deal with emergencies, said volunteer instructor Denver Scheepers during a first training session at the facility in Leeubekkie Street on 1 March.
"The purpose is for trainees to recognise emergencies and respond to tyhem quickly. Emergencies such as burn wounds, a child choking, allergic reactions, controlling bleeding, epilepsy or ashtma fall within this ambit. The main aimof first aid is to ensure patients are treated within the 'golden hour' after an incident," said Scheepers.
The first two-hour session was intended for the food hub's own volunteers and community members, but follow-up sessions for other Mount Pleasant residents are planned for later this month.
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Nurtured by Nature (NNWS)
Fernkloof, Hermanus
Draft Programme and Requirements for Delegates
Red Cross - a Friend in need
Writer & Photographer: Elaine David
It's hard to believe that Red Cross Hermanus is two years short of 70. It must be amongst the oldest, if not the oldest charity still diligently serving the needs of the people of Hermanus.
Red Cross struggles to meet demands
Background
The Red Cross - in its efforts to addres food insecurity within the community - is facing significant challenges. A recent survey identified 23 food outlets serving 10,688 meals every month, buth there is uncertainty regarding the extent of unment needs and concern for the safety of existing operators.
Date: 11 October 2024
Caring for the carers of dementia patients
Background
In line with the campaign to make Greater Hermanus a dementia-friendly town (see The Village News of 16 August), an interactive workshop was recently held for 46 carers from as far afield as Grabouw and Caledon, as well as most of the Overstrand communities. Some were family members of dementia patients, others were representatives of various service organisations.
From the lively response to social worker Leigh Haselau's presentation, there was a strong desire for more information, as well as practical tips to make their difficult job less stressfull and more effective. Soon members of the group were interacting with one another, as well as Legh herself.Clearly, sharing experiences and problem-solving advice is a deeply-felt need and there was a request for similar worskshops in the future.
According to Dr Katie Buley, one of the organisers of the workshop, "It focused on the feelings and emotions of people living with diagnosis of dementia and emphasised the importance of person-centred care; in this case, one size does not all. The importance of not setting the patient/client up for failure was emphasised and to this end, encouraging the patient to take agency was emphasised.
"A useful video was shown depicting the flight, fright, freeze responses to stress and how when a patient is in a triggered position, it is unlikely they will respond rationally" In fact emphatic communication between carer and patient was a common theme throughout the workshop
BY: Elaine Davie - Village News 30.08.2024
Food Distribution: Community Report September 2024
Background
Back in 2020 during the COVID lockdown, we all saw the long lines of hungry people queuing for food aid. With the economy on lockdown and most people dependent on ‘no work – no pay’ sources of employment, there was a huge crisis. A crisis across the country and here in Hermanus. People were concerned. There was a humanitarian issue. Malnutrition, sickness, and starvation loomed. There was also the increased risk of unrest and disorder.
For 11 months in 2020 a number of organisations in the Overstrand pulled out all the stops to mitigate the food crisis caused by Covid-19. Amongst these were Red Cross and Food4Love, in collaboration with the Overstrand Municipality’s Disaster Relief Project. Many households, with a particular focus on children and the elderly, were fed each day from formal and informal soup kitchens across the region, and food parcels and food vouchers delivered to them.
The causes of this deeply entrenched food insecurity situation are complex. However, this also means that the strategies for tackling it can also be varied and innovative. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) uses a four pillared framework to define the causes of food insecurity.
Being Kind, accepting, finding a connection
Please Note - The article continues p3.in second paragraph - It’s a strange, strange world
published by E Davie: Village News 16 August
Please just click on the image below.
Place to be-Hub
Within food distribution Red Cross will give 2-hour First Aid training and supply items for first aid bag. . Denver Scheepers is the teacher. Photo of class of 7 attendees
Place to be-Hub in Mount Pleasant
Aqunion Company of Hermanus gave Red Cross 67 food bags for distribution to the community. Photo of the team
Red Cross says: thank you to the community for their generosity
26th JULY 2024 Village News
Mandela Day 18 July 2024
Notice has gone out to local newspapers , shops, and the community. Deliveries of food, blankets and toiletries took place today and will continue.
Home-based care an option
Home-based care is becoming increasingly popular as a way to handle patient care and that of the elderly or infirmwithout incurring the huge cost associated with long-term hospitalisation or rehabilitation in an institution
It has become evident that with the increase in basic living costs, and the decrease in finances many of our communities will not be able to afford hospital care in the future.
Village News 29/03/2024
Empowering Change: Where Your Donations Make a Meaningful Impact
Your generous donations serve as a lifeline for a range of impactful initiatives. From providing crucial training sessions and essential home-based care to efficient disaster management, we channel your support into tangible, positive outcomes. However, one of our paramount focuses of late is on welfare and feeding schemes through our extensive network.
Take a moment to glance at Figure 1 below, revealing a stark reality: the disadvantaged in our community grapple with the challenge of putting even the most basic of foods on their tables. Over the past 7 years, food prices have surged tremendously, as indicated in Table 1, rendering some of these essential items nearly unattainable for many. Your contributions play a pivotal role in funding our five food hubs and accordingly in bridging this gap, ensuring that we can continue our mission to alleviate hunger and enhance the well-being of those in need. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of our community members.
Figure 1: Price of potatoes and rice since 2017
Source: Stats SA's Consumer Price Index 2017 - 2024
Table 1: Various essential food items and their respective price increases
Source: Stats SA's Consumer Price Index 2017 - 2024
Keegan Ferreira CSb(SA) - Affiliate
BCom (cum laude)
Red Cross appeals for Donors
There's more to hunger than an empty feeling, a skinny frame and a rumbling tummy.
Being hungry has ramificationsnot only for the individual but for society as a whole.
Village News 23.2.2024
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