The White and Yellow Cross Care Foundation (WYCCF) and the Henry Ostiana Foundation (HOF) organised a walkathon on September 26 in support of dementia awareness.
PHILIPSBURG--The White and Yellow Cross Care Foundation (WYCCF) and the Henry Ostiana Foundation (HOF) concluded a week of activities focused on dementia awareness, education and support with a successful Dementia Awareness Walkathon on Saturday morning.
The week of activities included workshops for healthcare professionals and informal caregivers, a karaoke evening and a free dementia screening, with the organisations seeking to raise awareness and provide support to people living with dementia, their families and caregivers.
The programme began with two workshops for healthcare professionals focused on person-centred communication and dementia care. The sessions were well attended and received positive feedback from participating professionals.
Two free evening workshops were also held for informal caregivers, focusing on communicating with confidence, understanding challenging behaviours and responding calmly to people living with dementia. The Monday session had 12 participants, while 14 attended the Wednesday session.
On Thursday evening, WYCCF hosted “Memories in Melodies – Karaoke Evening” at the organisation’s new Daycare PG and training facility. The event brought together community members, representatives of WYCCF’s Alzheimer’s Support Group and guests including Governor Ajamu Baly, Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina, Secretary General of the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor VSA Joy Arnell and representatives of Social and Health Insurances SZV and General Pension Fund APS.
The week culminated with the Dementia Awareness Walkathon on Saturday. With all tickets sold, more than 100 people gathered at 5:30am to participate and show their support for dementia awareness.
A trolley train sponsored by We Tours was available along the route, allowing participants who needed a break or were unable to complete the full route on foot to continue taking part. Participants also had access to two water stops before completing the walk.
The event concluded with a breakfast donated by Maureen from Captain’s Rib Shack. Following breakfast, participants had the opportunity to undergo a free dementia screening, which WYCCF said forms part of its efforts to promote awareness and encourage early identification of possible changes in memory and thinking.
Vaitaire Overman, one of WYCCF’s Case Managers Dementia, said the response to the activities showed that people were becoming more willing to discuss dementia. “I am excited to see that persons are reaching out and daring to have conversations about dementia. The more we support each other, the lighter the load is for everyone involved. In other words, better for all the people of St. Maarten,” Overman said.
Dementia remains an issue affecting people living with the condition as well as their families, caregivers and wider support networks. WYCCF and HOF said raising awareness, supporting caregivers and encouraging early attention to changes in memory and thinking remain important parts of their work.
The organisations conduct the activities together, with Mireya Ostiana described as a driving force behind the continued focus on dementia awareness on the island. Following the response to this year’s activities, particularly the walkathon, WYCCF said it plans to build on the programme and expand next year’s awareness activities.
WYCCF and HOF also thanked attendees, organisers, volunteers and sponsors, including We Tours, Maureen from Captain’s Rib Shack, APS and Linda Bergsma, for their contributions to the week.
