Cup a great help for Alzheimer’s patients
At the most recent meeting of the Mossel Bay Alzheimer's Support Group attendees were told about a unique, patented feeding utensil which makes meal times more pleasant for Alzheimer's Disease sufferers.
As the illness progresses, patients have more and more trouble swallowing. This can lead to choking and even death.
A South African doctor who emigrated to Australia devised the RoseCup, a feeding utensil with different attachments to use depending on the patients' level of difficulty and their position - reclining, sitting upright or leaning forward.
Dr Gawie Roux at one stage worked in Mossel Bay in private practice before he went overseas.
Although many Alzheimer's sufferers have difficulty chewing and swallowing food, the sucking instinct remains.
Desperate to assist one of his Alzheimer's patients who had difficulty eating, Dr Roux took a teat manufactured for feeding calves and placed it over the neck of a bottle. Thankfully this worked well and the patient, named Rose, could take in some "food". However, her carers did not find the teat on the bottle acceptable.
Therefore Dr Roux developed the RoseCup, named after the patient, which is an indestructible cup with different attachments. It is microwave and dishwasher proof.
Even blind patients have benefited from the RoseCup, which minimises messing. Together with the cup, Dr Roux formulated a range of nutritious fluids available in different thicknesses and flavours which people can drink from the cup.
Hester Bosman of Mossel Bay told the support group members about the RoseCup at the meeting on 10 April. For more information contact Hester (082 876 5561) or email info@lifemere.com
Next meeting
At the next meeting of the Alzheimer's Support Group, a specialist in the care of Alzheimer's and dementia sufferers will be the guest speaker.
Hein Marx, who owns Adler's Nest frail care centre in Aalwyndal, will speak on the topic: Practical understanding of living with Alzheimer's and dementia.
The meeting will take place at 15:00 on Thursday, 10 May at Santos Haven 1.
For more information, contact support group facilitator Maria van Staden (044 698 1509 or 072 236 5488).