Tuesday, December 03, 2024 | Jumada al-akhirah 1, 1446 H
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EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

OAS launches Purple Cafe to support the caregivers

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Alzheimer's caregivers are usually at higher risk of developing mental health problems such as anxiety and depression because of the stress and strain that come with caring for someone with a condition such as Alzheimer's.


To support the caregivers, Oman Alzheimer's Society has launched an initiative called Purple Cafe.


According to Dr Hamed al Sinawi, Chairman of Oman Alzheimer's Society (OAS), it is common for a caregiver to feel isolated from the rest of the family and ends up handling all the care-related issues, such as looking after the person ensuring that he is safe, well-fed and looked after as well as wanting to attend their hospital appointments and handling financial issues such as paying bills.


"Some caregivers are handling along with all of these other jobs such as looking after young children and having jobs of their own. Therefore, it is not surprising that caregivers end up having early retirement so they can perform full-time caring jobs or give up on job promotions. In some cases, they put a stop to further developing their career and spent more time with their loved ones to help them with their daily activity," said Dr Hamed.


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This is where the Purple Cafe, a support group for Alzheimer's caregivers, comes as a place of safety where they can express their emotions and talk about challenges without being judged because everyone is going through similar experiences. They can exchange tips that could help in providing better care. They could also learn from their experts in the field of Alzheimer's care, noted the psychiatrist. The Editor-in-Chief of Oman Observer, Abdullah al Shueili, was the Guest of Honour at the launch held at Sheraton Oman.

Saba al Azri, Purple Cafe team member, introduced the Purple Cafe as a support group run by a specialised team and dementia care. The objectives are to provide psychological support, share knowledge about dementia care, provide advice and coping mechanisms as well as share the individualistic experience of caring for a person with Alzheimer's. The sessions would be held monthly for one hour at venues that are accessible to all caregivers, attended by caregivers, healthcare professionals and Purple Cafe team members.


In some communities, Dr Hamed pointed out that conditions of Alzheimer's are looked upon with stigma.


"So there are situations where the family prefers to keep the situation hidden from the rest of the family members. They do not want them to embarrass themselves because of the behavioural changes they can go through this time. This is when the person chooses to remain at home most of the time, letting go of all social activities that used to give them pleasure, such as weddings, celebrations or even a walk by the beach. This is when the patient and caregiver become homebound," explained Dr Hamed.


He said Purple Cafe would give caregivers a breathing space where they get support and get an opportunity to be listened to and learn from each other because each individual is different in their experience.


At the launch ceremony, Lubaina al Sulaimani spoke about why this initiative is important as she herself is a caregiver, "Providing love, care and attention to a family member with Alzheimer's disease is an honour, very rewarding and a noble cause to pursue.


Nevertheless, the impact of being a caregiver has its toll mentally, emotionally and physically.


Caregivers tend to spiral into bouts of depression, loneliness and feeling solely responsible for the patient's care.


The Purple Cafe aims to address the needs of caregivers by allowing them to focus on their self-care, exchange ideas on how to handle patients at various stages of the disease, as well as provide moral and emotional support." Finally, the concept of journaling for caregivers was introduced, which is known to be therapeutic. Sheraton Oman, Petroleum Development Oman, Oman Observer, Seven Seas Petroleum and Unimoni Oman supported the event.


The launch was attended by registered caregivers and therapists, psychologists and psychiatrists. An active discussion by the attendees with questions, answers and suggestions followed the launch.


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