What is the situation in Sint Maarten? Who speaks out on behalf of the elderly with dementia who are being abused? These elderly have to experience many forms of abuse: physical, verbal, emotional abuse and neglect. Even financial abuse, as is the experience of all other elderly in this society, they all collectively have to survive with a little old age pension or social allowance which is under the poverty level and which is not equal in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Of the dementia patients we know how that little income that they have, is taken away by family members who have lost the respect for their elderly person with dementia.
The Sint Maarten Alzheimer Foundation and the Rotary Club of Sint Maarten have started an awareness campaign today on June 15, 2011 so that the people in Sint Maarten can be better informed and educated about dementia and Alzheimer. So that all of us can help to prevent dementia and Alzheimer patients from being abused in Sint Maarten and so that we can guarantee that these older people with dementia will live out their life in dignity in this country that they have helped to build.
DEMENTIA COMPOUNDS PROBLEM
Statistically families (and many doctors who are not dementia specialists) in the USA ignore the early warning signs of dementia because they incorrectly believe that the intermittently odd behaviors are just a normal part of aging and untreatable senility. Most say that the behaviors just "aren't that bad yet" - which is a costly mistake in every regard. Since one out of every eight persons by the age of 65 gets some form of dementia (Alzheimer's makes up 65%), and nearly one out of every two by the age of 85 is afflicted (the fastest growing segment of population), dementia adds an enormous burden on families who are already ill-prepared for the strain of caring for an aging loved one.
CAREGIVER STRESS & DEPRESSION
Overburdened caregivers ride a roller coaster of emotions - feeling overwhelmed, out of control, sad, angry, guilty, and obligated to be in constant demand. They lose touch with friends who don't understand, their careers suffer when they must take time off or quit work, they suffer sleep deprivation, and they rarely get adequate nutrition or exercise. They feel overwhelming frustration and grief that they are not able to make their loved one better - and they experience ominous thoughts of impending death.
The National Center for Elder Abuse (NCEA) in the USA reports that the rate of depression for caregivers of non-demented patients is 35.2%, which is twice the public average. Among dementia caregivers, the rate is a whopping 43-46%. And caregivers who experience the greatest levels of ongoing stress were 63% more likely to die within the next 4 years than their non-caregiving peers.
What is the rate in Sint Maarten? The Sint Maarten Alzheimer Foundation wants to be that entity in this society where you can report the need of the caregivers and their loved ones with dementia. Together with their volunteers the foundation wants to support those families in need of assistance to prevent elder abuse.
CHALLENGING ELDERS INCREASE CHANCE FOR ABUSE
When a patient becomes very difficult to manage, the caregiver experiences yet another level of frustration. Just looking at figures from the USA gives us an idea what is probably also going on here in Sint Maarten. Since there are 5 million people with Alzheimer's in the US, and agitation occurs in 40-60% with 7 out of 10 being cared for at home, is it any surprise that elder abuse can occur when an overstressed caregiver reaches their limit with a challenging elder? People who would have never dreamed of crossing the line are finding themselves lashing out in a moment of utter frustration. Of course, overwhelming guilt and hopelessness is the outcome. NCEA reports that 20% of caregivers live in fear they will become violent-and this rate increases to 57% among caregivers who have previously experienced violence from those they now care for. Researchers conclude that previous violence by the care receiver appears to move persons who are fearful of becoming violent to actually commit violent acts.
SMAF – ROTARY CLUB AWARENESS CAMPAIGN
The Sint Marten Alzheimer Foundation is now already one year in existence. On different occasions they have been informing the society of the disease. With radio host Valery van Putten they have a weekly edition of Now You Know on PJD3 dedicated to raise the awareness on dementia and Alzheimer in our society. It is expected that with the daily adds from the SMAF with the assistance of the Rotary Club of Sint Maarten more people will show interest to be better informed and to be educated about dementia and Alzheimer and how to help people affected with the disease and give them and their family members a decent quality of life.
The kick-off of the campaign will be today on Wednesday June 15, 2011 at noon at 12.00 pm in Divi Little Bay Hotel.
