Growing problem
By Reenike Yanik · 1 hour ago · Edited: 1 minute ago
© Own image Samantha GoodingRTL
Standing at the cash register and forgetting who you are, where you live and what your PIN code is. It is a daily occurrence for thousands of dementia patients in the Netherlands. You can only hope that the right person will help you at such a time. Rotterdam community nurse Samantha Gooding (37) did this last Saturday.
Samantha did some quick shopping around 7:30 PM. In the supermarket queue she saw ‘Bert’ standing there, confused. It’s not his real name, but in her post she posted on LinkedIn, she called him that. As a community nurse who works with dementia patients every day, she immediately recognized the signals.
“I estimated him to be in his 80s. He was unkempt, confused and perhaps a little desperate. I heard the cashier say: ‘Yes, sir, that really is 41.80 euros. If you can’t afford that, we have to put the groceries back. .’ There was no empathy and no consideration was given to how this man could be helped. He had forgotten his PIN code,” Samantha tells RTL News.
‘I’ll pay the bill’
She looked at his groceries and saw that the man wanted to buy bread, cheese, pasta and meat. “Much needed food to get through a weekend,” she thought. Even though she didn’t know ‘Bert’, she decided to pay for his groceries. “The cashier shouted: ‘but ma’am, that’s 41 euros, isn’t it?’.”
The confused man became emotional and thanked her. “So I still have a nice weekend, he said.”
Samantha shares the story because ‘Bert’s story is the story of 300,000 people who are currently living with dementia in the Netherlands. Due to the aging population, there is a chance that this number will double by 2040, says Alzheimer Nederland.
According to Alzheimer Nederland, everyone will sooner or later have to deal with dementia. There are more than 800,000 informal caregivers who must be available 24/7. “Caring for someone with dementia is one of the toughest forms of informal care,” says spokesperson Henriette Brons. “But you can also encounter it because you work with it, in a store or because you live next door.”
Women are at greater risk
Dementia is the fastest growing cause of death in the Netherlands according to Statistics Netherlands. The risk of dementia increases sharply with age on average, yet it is estimated that there are approximately 15,000 patients under the age of 65. Women are at greater risk than men.
According to Alzheimer Netherlands People with dementia are living at home longer and longer, but the right living environment is often lacking. “Informal caregivers are already overloaded. We foresee even greater problems in the future due to a doubling of the number of people with dementia, the shortage of healthcare personnel and the decrease in the number of informal caregivers,” says Brons.
That is why the organization called on political parties last year to do more for dementia care. “Because insufficient support in living with dementia means overburdened informal caregivers who drop out at work, social isolation, loneliness, risk of falls, malnutrition and neglect. This results in traumatic and expensive crisis admissions.”
Shop staff on course
“People with dementia want to continue to participate in society for as long as possible, but that is not always easy. There is a taboo surrounding dementia and not everyone knows what the disease entails. Let alone that people, like this cashier, know how to deal with it. having to deal with someone who has forgotten his PIN code,” said the spokesperson. “That’s why we offer a free online course specifically aimed at store staff.”
Because how you respond to someone with dementia who is confused at that moment can make the difference. “You probably recognize it yourself when you are in the supermarket and you forget your PIN code, if you remain calm it will pop up again, but if you panic it will only get worse,” says Brons.
Calling supermarkets
On LinkedIn Samantha calls on supermarkets to make policies for people with dementia. “If you are located in a neighborhood where many seniors live, I believe that as a supermarket you have an obligation to your customers. Send your employees on a course or make a plan.”
Alzheimer Nederland is happy that people are looking out for each other, but according to them, there is still quite a challenge. Brons: “At a time when we have less time and patience for each other, patience and understanding are what we need most in this inclusive society.”
How do you recognize behavior that is typical of people with dementia?
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Forgetfulness
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Reduced sense of time and place
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Difficulty with language
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Difficulty assessing situations
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Change in behavior and character
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Problems with daily activities
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Unrest
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Difficulty perceiving and seeing
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Losing things
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Withdrawal from social activities
Growing Problem: Dementia in the Netherlands
By Reenike Yanik · 1 hour ago · Edited: 1 minute ago
© Own image Samantha GoodingRTL
Standing at a cash register and forgetting who you are, where you live, and what your PIN code is. No, this isn’t the plot of a new sitcom, it’s a daily occurrence for thousands of dementia patients in the Netherlands. And let me tell you, that’s more tragic than my last attempt at stand-up comedy. It’s a lot of confusion followed by a lot of hope that the right person will come to help. Fortunately, last Saturday, community nurse Samantha Gooding (37) was there for one confused chap we’ll call ‘Bert’—presumably because the poor guy didn’t remember his own name either.
Samantha was in line at the supermarket when she spotted Bert, looking more lost than a tourist in Amsterdam without a map. The cashier was rattling off the price, “41.80 euros” and there he was, staring back like a deer in headlights. No empathy, no consideration, just a stark reminder of how society can sometimes get it oh-so-wrong, all while holding a fistful of someone else’s groceries. It’s a bit like when you realize too late that you’ve finished the last slice of pizza without checking if anyone else in the room wanted it—awkward!
‘I’ll Pay the Bill’
Realizing that this man—let’s face it, Bert just sounds right for a despondent 80-something—was struggling was just the first step. Samantha made the utterly selfless decision to pay for his groceries. Now that’s what I call heroic! The bemused cashier exclaimed, “But ma’am, that’s 41 euros!” as though Samantha was suggesting to join a circus rather than helping an elderly man get his dinner. ‘Bert’ was emotional, and he thanked her, saying, “So I still have a nice weekend.” At that point, I’m thinking, the world needs more Samantas and a little less bureaucracy!
Samantha’s simple act of kindness reflects the lives of 300,000 people living with dementia in the Netherlands today. And let’s not gloss over that sobering statistic—this number might double by 2040, like a bad sequel that no one asked for. According to Alzheimer Nederland, it seems we all might have some affiliation with dementia in one form or another. Caregiving? More like ‘care-what-were-you-doing-while-I-was-suffering’ at this juncture!
Women are at Greater Risk
Dementia is now the fastest-growing cause of death in the Netherlands, and if that fact doesn’t knock your socks off, I don’t know what will. The risk sharpens as we age, but imagine being among the 15,000 patients under 65. Just like there’s no age limit on being a complete klutz, it seems age isn’t what it once was. By the way, women are at a greater risk, which sounds a lot like my dating life—full of unexpected risks and no guarantees!
People with dementia are staying at home longer, which is great, but here’s the kicker—it’s not so easy without the right support. Over 800,000 informal caregivers are sounding more like overworked heroes than just caregivers—like the Avengers without the flashy costumes! There’s a substantial call for political parties to get their act together and offer more support. Because let’s face it, if we keep ignoring the issue, we might all find ourselves checking if it’s Tuesday or what decade it is.
Shop Staff on Course
The spokesperson from Alzheimer Nederland insists that those with dementia want to engage with society. However, navigating a supermarket isn’t as straightforward as it seems, especially when your brain feels like a jumbled mess of a thrift store, and nobody knows how to deal with your forgotten PIN code. They even propose a free online course for store staff! And you thought your online courses were boring—at least this one has a purpose!
Samantha calls on supermarkets to establish policies for dealing with customers with dementia. “If your neighborhood is filled with seniors, as a supermarket, your obligation is to your customers,” she argues. That’s like saying if you own a pub, you should absolutely provide peanuts. Common sense, folks!
Alzheimer Nederland is relieved to see people looking out for one another, but patience is at an all-time low. People need to understand what dementia entails, so that nobody is left feeling like a lost sock in the dryer of life. Understanding is essential, especially when a moment of calm can save someone from an awkward situation at the checkout line.
Recognizing Dementia Behaviour
So how can you recognize behaviors typical of people with dementia? As follows:
- Forgetfulness
- Reduced sense of time and place
- Difficulty with language
- Difficulty assessing situations
- Change in behavior and character
- Problems with daily activities
- Unrest
- Difficulty perceiving and seeing
- Losing things
- Withdrawal from social activities
In this crazy world of ours, let’s unleash kindness, understanding, and education about dementia, ensuring everyone gets the respect and care they deserve—especially at the end of the day when your memory is as scrambled as your eggs!
Know what? It’s about time! Training staff to handle these situations can mean the world to someone lost in their own memories.
To dive deeper into this pressing issue, we’re here with Samantha Gooding herself, the nurse whose quick thinking turned an unfortunate situation into a moment of compassion. Samantha, thank you for joining us.
Interviewer: Samantha, your action to pay for Bert’s groceries was truly admirable. What went through your mind when you first saw him struggling?
Samantha Gooding: Thank you for having me! When I saw Bert looking confused, I felt an immediate sense of empathy. People with dementia often find themselves in these frustrating situations. I just thought, “He needs this food, and I can help.” I knew I had to intervene, and it was a no-brainer for me.
Interviewer: It’s heartbreaking to realize that this is part of a much larger problem. Based on your experiences, how common are these encounters for dementia patients, even in everyday situations?
Samantha Gooding: Unfortunately, they’re extremely common. Many dementia patients, like Bert, face confusion in familiar places. Their struggles often go unnoticed, which can lead to feelings of isolation. That’s why more support and understanding from everyone in our community are needed.
Interviewer: You mentioned in your call to action on LinkedIn that supermarkets should implement policies for people with dementia. Why do you believe this is so important?
Samantha Gooding: Supermarkets are often the frontline for seeing people with dementia. If they’re located in neighborhoods with many seniors, staff should be trained to recognize the signs of dementia and respond appropriately. It’s all about compassion and making sure these individuals don’t feel ashamed or neglected during their visits.
Interviewer: Alzheimer Nederland highlighted that there’s a significant increase in the number of dementia cases expected by 2040. In your view, what are the most pressing steps we need to take to prepare for this?
Samantha Gooding: We need to focus on awareness and training. Communities should invest in education for everyone—especially those working in retail, health care, and caregiving roles. We should create supportive environments where people with dementia feel safe and included. It’s not just about caring for them; it’s also about integrating them into our society.
Interviewer: what message would you like to share with others out there who might find themselves in a similar position to yours, witnessing someone struggling?
Samantha Gooding: Don’t hesitate to reach out and help. A small act of kindness can make a huge difference in someone’s day. We all have a role to play in looking out for one another, especially those who are vulnerable. Remember, a little compassion can go a long way in breaking the stigma surrounding dementia.
Interviewer: Thank you, Samantha, for your insights and for shedding light on this important issue. Your story is a powerful reminder of how community and empathy can make a significant impact in the lives of those affected by dementia.
That’s it for our interview today—let’s take Samantha’s message to heart and continue to support one another, particularly during challenging times.
This potential crisis?
Samantha Gooding: Preparing for this increase means prioritizing education and awareness about dementia in our communities. We need to advocate for better support systems for both caregivers and patients. This includes training sessions for health professionals, store staff, and even the general public—everyone can play a role. Additionally, we must push for policy changes that provide more funding for dementia care and support for families as the numbers rise. It’s crucial to foster understanding and empathy, so we can create an environment that respects the dignity of those living with dementia.
Interviewer: That’s a powerful message. what can individuals do to help those living with dementia in their daily lives?
Samantha Gooding: Simple acts of kindness can make a huge difference. Always be patient and take the time to listen. If you see someone struggling, offer your assistance and approach them gently. Educating yourself about dementia—recognizing the signs and understanding the challenges—can empower you to make a positive impact. Most importantly, we need to promote a culture of compassion, ensuring that everyone feels valued and supported, regardless of their mental state. This way, we’re not just a society that moves on, but one that cares for all its members.
Interviewer: Thank you so much, Samantha, for sharing your insights and experiences. It’s evident that your compassionate approach can inspire many others to take action and foster understanding within our communities.
Samantha Gooding: Thank you for having me. I hope that together we can make a difference for those living with dementia and their caregivers.