MOSSEL BAY NEWS - A new support group for family members and friends of Alzheimer's disease and dementia sufferers has started in town.

It is called the Mossel Bay Memory Group and the first meeting of the group took place in March.

The group was formed by Nathan Cranston, whose wife, aged 41, has been diagnosed with early onset dementia.

It was dealing with his wife's diagnosis that prompted Nathan to start the support group.

"Because of the lockdown and Coronavirus issues, many people didn't come to the first meeting," Nathan said.

The meeting was held at the By Grace Emergency Medical Services premises at number 31, 9th Avenue, Da Nova. Nathan works for By Grace as a basic ambulance assistant.

Nathan says: "I came to realise there was no support group in Mossel Bay, so I started the group."

He said: "The group is a platform for people to talk and to share, a place where people can learn how to deal with things. There are not many education platforms out there. We will be running courses for people.

"Once the lockdown is over, we will meet with various people and formulate a way forward for more intensive meetings."

Nathan said there would be a monthly meeting in Mossel Bay and he also planned a monthly meeting for the Great Brak area.

He said: "From the first meeting, I got the feeling that a support group is really needed. I picked up that there are limited resources for people with dementia. State facilities are limited. We need a place people can go to be tested for Alzheimer's or dementia. We need to find resources.

"Even medical aids do not cover dementia and Alzheimer's. Some medications are not covered by medical schemes," Nathan said. These were all issues which would be discussed and which he wanted to strive to address.

"As soon as the lockdown is over, I will put out the word about when the next meeting will be," he said.

If you are interested in joining the support group, contact Nathan ([email protected] or 084 046 7722).

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