Dementia and Alzheimer's care
Help with dementia.
Care for the person.
Familiar routines can become difficult. Nights can become restless. Medwell helps families arrange support at home or find a care centre that can meet the person's needs.
START WITH DAILY LIFE
What has become hard to manage?
Families may notice missed meals, difficulty with familiar tasks, changes in communication, or a person leaving home without telling anyone. Each person's needs are different.
It can help to note what the person can still do, when help is needed, and what is becoming difficult for the family to manage safely.
New or sudden changes? A doctor should assess sudden or unexplained changes in memory, thinking or behaviour. Medwell provides care, not a diagnosis.
CHOOSING THE SETTING
Three care settings to discuss.
Care at home
Support with personal care, meals and daily routines. Ask about daytime, overnight or round-the-clock care, and whether nursing support is needed.
Frail care with light memory support
Some Medwell frail-care centres may support manageable memory loss as part of general care. A nurse must assess whether the setting can meet the person's needs safely.
Dedicated memory care
Dedicated units are available only at Waterkloof Marina, Buh-Rein and Great Oaks. The chosen centre must confirm suitability and current availability.
DEDICATED MEMORY-CARE UNITS
Dedicated memory care in Pretoria and Cape Town.
For Pretoria, see Waterkloof Marina. In Cape Town, see Buh-Rein or Great Oaks. Ask the chosen centre about suitability and current availability.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Questions about
memory care.
What is the difference between dementia and Alzheimer's disease?
Dementia is a general term for changes in memory, thinking and everyday functioning caused by several conditions. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia. A doctor can help identify the cause and guide the next steps.
Can someone living with dementia remain at home?
Yes, many people living with dementia can remain at home with the right support. This depends on the person's needs, how safe the home is, the supervision available and the support the family can provide. A Medwell nurse can assess the situation and help the family decide whether care at home is still practical and safe.
Does every Medwell care centre offer dedicated memory care?
Not every Medwell care centre has a dedicated memory-care unit. These units are available at Waterkloof Marina, Buh-Rein and Great Oaks. Some other Medwell care centres may be able to support a person with manageable memory loss within frail care, subject to a nursing assessment. Medwell can help the family understand which setting may suit the person's needs.
What happens after an enquiry?
A care adviser will first listen to what has changed and where support is needed. A Medwell nurse can then assess the person and talk the family through the options, whether that is care at home, frail care or a dedicated memory-care unit.
What information helps start a conversation about care?
Tell Medwell where the person lives, what has changed in daily life, when help is needed, and whether support is needed during the day, overnight or around the clock. A nurse can assess what care and setting may be suitable.
What will care cost, and will medical aid pay?
Costs depend on the care setting and the person’s needs. Ask Medwell for a quote that explains the care and charges. Medical-aid cover depends on the member’s plan and the service. The funder should confirm cover before the family relies on it.
Talk it through with a care coordinator.
Tell Medwell where the person lives, what has become difficult each day, and when help is needed. A care coordinator can discuss home care and the relevant care centres, then arrange a nursing assessment where needed.