Women’s Parliamentary Caucus learns more on dementia situation in Seychelles |11 October 2023

The presentation yesterday (Photos: Joena Meme)

The Women’s Parliamentary Caucus (WPC) has learnt more about dementia in the country and work being done by the Seychelles Alzheimer’s Foundation (SAF).

This was through a presentation given yesterday by members of the foundation at the National Assembly precinct.

Dementia is a general term used to describe the impaired ability to remember, think, or make decisions that interferes with doing everyday activities.

Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia, and mostly affects elderly people. It is currently on the rise in the country and SAF, being led by Lise Church, is seeking support for the over 600 patients of dementia in Seychelles.

Mrs Church pointed out that these individuals need love and support, adding that they need a caring and friendly home where they can receive specialised care by professional care givers.

An overview of dementia, the common signs and symptoms, its three stages and the treatments being offered were all highlighted during the presentation.

The presentation also centred on the need to have a memory care home and the chosen site was also shown to the parliamentarians.

Facts and figures in relations to Alzheimer’s disease for the United States of America were also shared during the session, as well as the situation in Seychelles and in the region.

It was stated that last year, there were about 621 known cases of individuals suffering from dementia in Seychelles.

Speaking to Seychelles NATION after the session, chairperson of the caucus, Hon. Regina Esparon, said the session has equipped those who were present with certain new information, and from there the WPC will meet and discuss a way forward on how to help the foundation.

We acknowledge that there is a need to support them, she added.

On her part, Mrs Church said it is important that the government recognises that there is a need to support Alzheimer’s patients and work together to provide specialised care through the setting up of a memory care home.

Also present at the session were the deputy Speaker Hon. Gervais Henrie, leader of the opposition Hon. Sebastien Pillay as well as other members who are not part of the caucus.

Mandy Bertin