As part of our awareness strategy, Alzheimer’s Ghana team visited Kpone Katamanso Senior High School to educate them on Dementia. Discussions were centered on the signs and symptoms of dementia and other related disorders, their diagnosis, the role of government and the civil society in combating and managing it in Ghana.

The president of Alzheimer’s Ghana Dr. Dennis Bortey (first from right) and the Executive Director of Alzheimer’s Ghana (first from left) visited the Minister of Lands and Natural resources Hon. John Peter Amewu (second from right) and his Deputy Hon. Benito Owusu-Bio (second from left) to discuss the link between mercury and Alzheimer’s as well as the improper use of mercury by the illigal miners.

As part of our awareness strategy, Alzheimer’s Ghana team participated regularly on Radio and Television programmes to create awareness and sensitize the public on dementia, using live-broadcast and phone-in to reach out to the public. Alzheimer’s Ghana team was hosted on GTV  and UTV separately to educate and sensitize the entire public. Discussions were centered on the signs and symptoms of dementia and other related disorders, their diagnosis, the role of government and the civil society in combating and managing it in Ghana.

Person – centred care seeks to view the person with dementia as a whole, and considers how the person is influenced by factors beyond the physical changes in the brain. The person centred approach to dementia care focuses on the needs of the service user rather than on the priorities of the service provider. Instead of trying to change people’s behaviour for the benefit of the care setting, a person-centred approach seeks to resolve any difficulties in the interest of the person.

The person – centred approach to care focuses on the individual’s abilities rather than the loss of their abilities. The needs and the emotions of each person are the focal point around which everything else is geared. The person – centred approach seeks to value every person as a unique individual, taking into account their past experiences, their abilities, knowledge, preferences, desires, fears and personality. In other words, the person – centred approach seeks to value the unique personhood of every individual.

The person – centred carer will recognise that some individuals may not be fully able to look after their own well-being, but will seek to provide a positive response that enables the individual to be involved in their care wherever possible by compensating for their losses and building on their strengths and abilities. Finding out  about and  valuing each person’s talents not skills, and  understanding their hopes and fears and what  works or does not work for them, will help the carer to provide support and care that is personal to  every individual.

This approach also acknowledges what some people may term challenging behaviours as a means of communication. Some people may not be able to express what their needs are or how satisfied they are with the way their needs are being met. Care staff must strive in their attempts to understand the meaning behind the behaviour so as to engage with the individual’s expression of satisfaction or dissatisfaction in how their needs are being met.

Human Rights Day

Human Rights Day

Saturday, 10 December, 2016

Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders Association Ghana invites you to help us 10th December to celebrate Human Rights Day. Human Rights Day is observed every year on 10 December. It commemorates the day on which, in 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

In 1950, the Assembly passed resolution 423 (V), inviting all States and interested organizations to observe 10 December of each year as Human Rights Day.

This year’s Human Rights Day is devoted to the launch of a year-long campaign for the 50^th anniversary of the two International Covenants on Human Rights. The two Covenants, together with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, form the International Bill of Human Rights, setting out the civil, political, cultural, economic, and social rights that are the birth right of all human beings.

“Our Rights. Our Freedoms. Always.” aims to promote and raise awareness of the two Covenants on their 50th anniversary. The year-long campaign revolves around the theme of rights and freedoms — freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear — which underpin the International Bill of Human Rights are as relevant today as they were when the Covenants were adopted 50 years ago.