Articles
Rand Aid: Memory care and support group
Forgetfulness is not always a sign of dementia – but when memory problems begin to interfere with everyday life, it is time to investigate. Acting early can make an important difference to the future. That is the advice of Debbie Beech, a trained social worker who has worked in the dementia fie...
Choosing Quality Dementia Care: Understanding the Value Behind Protea Memory Clinic
When a family begins looking for residential care for someone they love, cost will inevitably be part of the conversation. Assisted living, frail care and specialised dementia care can represent a substantial monthly commitment, and it is completely reasonable for families to want to understand e...
Older people are not invisible: Challenging the stereotypes of ageing
Growing older does not mean becoming invisible, powerless, dependent or irrelevant. That is one of the strongest messages emerging from residents and staff at Rand Aid Association as the organisation marks the International Day of Older Persons on October 1. Rand Aid has four retirement villages ...
When the person you love begins to change: A family’s Alzheimer’s journey
For years, Anne Miller’s daughters could explain away the small changes they noticed in their mom. She had become more anxious and fearful, they thought, perhaps because of the stressful experiences she had been through. Gradually, however, the changes became harder to dismiss. The woman who ha...
From hospital-like to home: How Ron Smith Care Centre has transformed
“It is their home, and I am coming to their house.” That simple change in perspective has transformed the way enrolled nurse Laurentia Jooste approaches her work at Rand Aid’s Ron Smith Care Centre (RSCC). Laurentia has worked at the Lyndhurst care centre for 26 years, and she remembers a t...
Growing a Better Dementia Care Environment: Inside Protea Memory Clinic’s Garden Project
At Protea Memory Clinic, we believe exceptional dementia care is about much more than what happens inside a resident’s room or during a clinical consultation. The environment surrounding a person can play an important role in how they feel, engage, and experience everyday life. One of the featu...
Winter Wellness in Retirement Villages: Why Specialist Dementia Care Matters
At Protea Memory Clinic, caring for people living with dementia means anticipating their needs long before they become problems. Every season brings its own challenges, and winter is no exception. As a premium, specialised dementia care facility, we take a proactive approach to ensuring our resid...
Supporting Dementia Care at Home: When to Seek Help and How Protea Memory Clinic Can Assist
At Protea Memory Clinic, one of the most common conversations we have with families is about caring for a loved one at home. Many families want to keep their loved one in familiar surroundings for as long as possible, and in many cases, home-based care can be an excellent option. Familiar routine...
When is it time? Understanding when a loved one needs full-time care
For many families, deciding when to move a loved one into full-time care is one of the most difficult choices they will face. The desire to keep a parent or partner at home for as long as possible is natural. Home-based care offers familiarity, comfort and often one-on-one attention. However, as ...
The Hidden Loneliness of Supporting Someone with Dementia – And Why Family Support Matters Too
At Protea Memory Clinic, we believe that dementia care should never focus only on the resident. Supporting families is a fundamental part of our philosophy of care. When someone is diagnosed with dementia, the impact is never limited to just one person. It affects the entire family. Behind every ...