For What Purpose? We hope to encourage and inspire you to take action and support our fundraising efforts to find a cure for dementia.
The needs of the elderly are many and we can all to do something about it, and in particular for those who cannot speak up for themselves, who don't have a voice.
Dementia attacks the brain, but the human spirit, the essence of that human being
fights on and is very much still there.
Why? People in aged care may suffer from loneliness and boredom. This is detrimental to their health and can lead to depression and disassociation with life. They feel they have nothing to live for and consequently feel very lost and alone.
There are not enough care staff to meet their needs one on one.
In spite of excellent care provided by dedicated and caring staff in many nursing homes,
the emotional needs of our elderly are often missed.
This is where you can contribute by becoming a Companion - a Friend, a Mate.
How? Volunteer at your local nursing home. Give them a call or check out their website to find out what they need and how to become a volunteer.
If you have a relative, do not abandon them. They need you. Visit and spend quality time with them.
Dementia and illness do not kill the human spirit or the person within. That person is still in there - you just need to find them. What was important to this person? What work did they do in the past? What were their interests?
Learning about the person by asking simple open questions is a good starting point.
Learn to communicate with your actions and expressions.
Especially in the advanced stages of dementia, feeling joy is a very positive emotion, even if only for a brief fleeting moment. It is still special and meaningful to them, and you too will feel it when it happens.
It is incredibly rewarding to bring a smile to someone who is in the end stage of their life.
All it takes is compassion, understanding, and your time.
What if? You are scared of nursing homes? Scared of sick people who are dying? Don't know anyone in a nursing home? Don't know anyone with dementia?
You can get in touch with us and talk about it, or ask the people around you. With the increasing numbers of people diagnosed with dementia on a daily basis, just about everyone knows someone who has it. And if it's not dementia it will be another ailment. Find out what is going on around you.
Face your fears. Depending on your age now, you may have already dealt with an elderly relative or friend going in to a nursing home, or you are in the middle of dealing with such a situation as we have, or you will need to deal with it in the future. This is the reality. This is why we need Companions now.
For further information and available support services Dementia Australia is there to help.
The needs of the elderly are many and we can all to do something about it, and in particular for those who cannot speak up for themselves, who don't have a voice.
Dementia attacks the brain, but the human spirit, the essence of that human being
fights on and is very much still there.
Why? People in aged care may suffer from loneliness and boredom. This is detrimental to their health and can lead to depression and disassociation with life. They feel they have nothing to live for and consequently feel very lost and alone.
There are not enough care staff to meet their needs one on one.
In spite of excellent care provided by dedicated and caring staff in many nursing homes,
the emotional needs of our elderly are often missed.
This is where you can contribute by becoming a Companion - a Friend, a Mate.
How? Volunteer at your local nursing home. Give them a call or check out their website to find out what they need and how to become a volunteer.
If you have a relative, do not abandon them. They need you. Visit and spend quality time with them.
Dementia and illness do not kill the human spirit or the person within. That person is still in there - you just need to find them. What was important to this person? What work did they do in the past? What were their interests?
Learning about the person by asking simple open questions is a good starting point.
Learn to communicate with your actions and expressions.
Especially in the advanced stages of dementia, feeling joy is a very positive emotion, even if only for a brief fleeting moment. It is still special and meaningful to them, and you too will feel it when it happens.
It is incredibly rewarding to bring a smile to someone who is in the end stage of their life.
All it takes is compassion, understanding, and your time.
What if? You are scared of nursing homes? Scared of sick people who are dying? Don't know anyone in a nursing home? Don't know anyone with dementia?
You can get in touch with us and talk about it, or ask the people around you. With the increasing numbers of people diagnosed with dementia on a daily basis, just about everyone knows someone who has it. And if it's not dementia it will be another ailment. Find out what is going on around you.
Face your fears. Depending on your age now, you may have already dealt with an elderly relative or friend going in to a nursing home, or you are in the middle of dealing with such a situation as we have, or you will need to deal with it in the future. This is the reality. This is why we need Companions now.
For further information and available support services Dementia Australia is there to help.
