Mind, Memory & Dignity: Reclaiming the Place of Older Persons in Our Society
She sits quietly by the window, smiling at the busy world outside — taxis hooting, children rushing to school, life unfolding in its usual rhythm. Yet in her mind, time moves differently. Some days she recalls every detail of her youth with startling clarity; on others, her daughter’s name escapes her. Her story is not unique. It is the story of thousands of older South Africans who carry the wisdom of a lifetime, yet often bear the weight of neglect, stigma, and silence.
As we mark the International Day of Older Persons on 1 October, coming just days after World Alzheimer’s Day on 21 September and within the frame of Mental Health Awareness Month in October, we are reminded of an undeniable truth of how we treat our elders reflects who we are as a society.
The gift and challenge of ageing in South Africa
South Africa is ageing. By 2050, the number of people over 60 will nearly double. With longer lives come both opportunities and challenges: opportunities to learn from the wisdom and experience of our elders, but also challenges of dementia, chronic illness, depression, and fragile health systems unprepared for the rising demand of geriatric care.
For many families, the burden is heavy. Caregivers often shoulder responsibilities with little support, juggling jobs, finances, and their own well-being. Mental health conditions in older persons, especially depression and dementia, are frequently misdiagnosed or dismissed as “just old age.” The result? Too many older South Africans living in silence, stripped of the dignity they deserve.
Alzheimer’s: Making the invisible visible
World Alzheimer’s Day reminds us of the urgency to talk openly and boldly about dementia. In South Africa, the silence around Alzheimer’s is deafening. Stigma prevents families from seeking help, and lack of awareness means many patients are only diagnosed late, if at all.
This October, SAMDP is making Alzheimer’s a central focus of our Mental Health Awareness Month campaign. We will break the silence through education, share practical tools for early recognition, and highlight stories from both patients and caregivers. Alzheimer’s is not just a medical issue — it is a human issue that touches dignity, memory, and belonging.
SAMDP’s role: From voice to action
At SAMDP, we know that words are not enough. Our members are not only witnesses to these realities, but they are also active agents of change in their own practices and communities, using their skills to recognise early signs of dementia, guide families, and support the mental health of older patients at primary care level, advocating for policy shifts that make mental health and geriatric care integral to the National Health Insurance framework, supporting caregivers through offering practical advice, and connecting them to resources as well as raising awareness through talks, community outreach, or professional platforms, to reduce stigma and create environments where older persons are valued and supported.
For SAMDP, this is not abstract theory, our role is to amplify and connect these individual efforts into a national movement for dignity, mental health, and healthy ageing.
Healthy ageing is not a luxury, it is a right
Healthy ageing is not simply about adding years to life, it is about adding life to years. It is about ensuring that older people can thrive, remain engaged, and feel respected. It is about health systems that see beyond the diagnosis and recognise the person. It is about communities that treasure their elders, and policies that safeguard their rights.
The South African Medical and Dental Practitioners (SAMDP) stands firm: ageing with dignity, strong mental health, and compassionate care for dementia, especially Alzheimer’s, are not optional. They are essential pillars of a just and humane health system.
Looking ahead this October
This blog is only the beginning of our October journey. As the month unfolds, the following topics will be tackled:
- Week 2: Mental Health in Older Persons, breaking down stigma and sharing practical guidance for families and communities.
- Week 3: Spotlight on Alzheimer’s and Dementia, sharing stories, resources, and solutions for early detection and compassionate care.
- Week 4: Caregivers and Rights, shining a light on the silent struggles of those who carry the weight of care, and advocating for stronger systemic support.
Together with our members, partners, and communities, SAMDP commits not only to speaking out, but to doing the work that ensures every older person in South Africa can live with dignity, mind, memory, and health. Because to honour our elders is to honour ourselves.
