Elderly man having dimentia disease

Rethabile Seikaneng

Dementia is a disease that affects memory, and thinking and is caused by loss of nerve cells and connection to the brain. On the 15 of October, I met the family of a man called Sipho Gumede, and living with dementia he is a resident of Snake Park Block 10. His kids and wife explained that Mr Gumede started to show the symptoms in 2023. he was confused and he was forgetting things. They took him to the hospital and the doctor diagnosed him with dementia.

Mr. Gumede’s wife Mrs. Eunice said it is painful to see her husband living with that condition because he behaves like a child and she hears that sometimes people will hurt him not knowing that he is sick. She explained that it is difficult but they have to be patient with him and they have to treat him with respect also choose words wisely when speaking to him. She established a structured routine to reduce confusion and anxiety because dementia can lead to frustration and mood changes.

Ensure a safe environment by removing hazards like loose rugs and installing safety, reducing the risk of falls or injuries. Sometimes Mr Gumede doesn’t recognize his family or his house and it is painful knowing that he is going to live with the disease forever. The family informed neighbors about Mr. Gumede’s condition, I interviewed 2 neighbors Mr. Mthunzi and Mrs. Gopane who also explained that since the family told them about Mr. Gumede’s condition whenever they see him behaving not normally or seeing him on the street not knowing where he is going, they take him back to his house and inform the family Sometimes he leaves without his family noticing and they are afraid that he will be missing or some community members who don’t know his condition will hurt him.