About Us

 

We are dedicated to providing support for families and individuals with Alzheimer’s dementia and their carers.

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Our Story

Alzheimer’s SA NPC is dedicated to providing support for families and individuals and strives to advocate on their behalf, to improve the quality of life of people with Alzheimer’s/dementia and their carers.

Alzheimer’s SA was founded in 1985 as a non-profit organisation managed by a national executive council. The organisation was registered as a non-profit company in October 2016 managed by a board of directors. Alzheimer’s SA NPC is the South African representative of Alzheimer’s Disease International and is dedicated to improving the quality of life of people with dementia and those affected by it. For Alzheimer’s associations in other countries, please see http://www.alz.co.uk/help/associations.html.

Getting Help

For information you are unable to find on this website, please email info@alzheimers.org.za or phone the national helpline, which will cost you the same as a local call regardless of where you are in South Africa: 0860 102 681.

The counsellors on duty are volunteers (weekday mornings, after 09h00) can lend an ear, post you information and newsletters or provide contact information of specialists, carers, homes, therapists etc.

Statement of Principles

Alzheimer’s South Africa NPC recognises the following principles as fundamental to the provision of care for people with dementia and for the support of their family members and caregivers:

  • Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias are progressive, incapacitating diseases of the brain that have a profound impact on persons with dementia and members of their families.
  • A person with dementia continues to be a person of worth and dignity, deserving the same respect as any other human being.
  • People with dementia need a physically safe living environment and protection from exploitation and abuse of person and property.
  • People with dementia require up-to-date information and access to co-ordinated medical, psychological, rehabilitative and welfare services. Anyone thought to have dementia needs prompt medical assessment and those with dementia require ongoing care and treatment orientated to maximising their quality of life.
  • People with dementia should as far as possible participate in decisions affecting their daily lives and future care.
  • The family caregivers of a person with dementia should have their needs assessed and provided for and should be enabled to take an active role in this process.
  • Adequate resources should be available and promoted to support people with dementia and their caregivers throughout the course of dementia.
  • Understanding the experience of living with dementia, especially from the perspectives of persons with dementia and of their carers, is vital to providing effective advocacy, care of good quality, and meaningful rehabilitation. Information, education and training on dementia, its effects and how to provide care, must be available to all those involved in the assistance of people with dementia.

Code of Ethics

The company and all its constituent officers and bodies share a common commitment to the following fundamental values, namely to

Act with integrity and fairness by

  • ensuring honesty in all dealings
  • respecting an individual’s right to privacy
  • obtaining permission of a responsible person before divulging or sharing personal information

Be an informed advocate for people with the disease, their carers and families by

  • lobbying at local and national level for improved services and assistance
  • advocating for the interests of individuals or families in the communities concerned
  • creating an awareness of appropriate legal protection and procedures

Provide accurate information by

  • actively making training and educational material available to all stakeholders
  • actively raising awareness of and empathy for, at local and national levels, the nature of the disease and its effects

Be accountable to its consumers, the community and funding sources by

  • incorporating quality assurance into the services of the association
  • keeping proper financial records that are audited annually

Demonstrate a commitment to people with the disease and their families by

  • maintaining a consistently high standard in all activities
  • being visually active and conveying a progressive public image

Offer a flexible service that caters for cultural differences by

  • recognising multi-cultural communities and their particular needs
  • consulting and gaining knowledge of cultural communities

Value the commitment of volunteers and support groups by

  • recognising their particular strengths and capabilities
  • creating an environment within which a climate of belonging is fostered
  • involving them in ongoing planning and evaluation.

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