Police rescue 60-year-old Alzheimer woman

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia and early symptoms are often mistakenly thought to be ‘age-related’ concerns, or manifestations of stress

Thabong police showed their benevolence last week, when they offered shelter to a 60-year-old woman, who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease, for the whole week.

According to police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Malebo Khosana, the woman identified herself as Moipone Marite.

“She said she was 60 years old and said she needed transport to Eden in Bloemfontein but she could not remember her residential address in Eden or a family member who stays there. She also said her parents stayed at Botshabelo.

“According to her, she has five children named Kgotoso, Morwesi, Mohlomi, Tebeletso and Mpho.  Their surname is Khoanyane.  She cannot give a detailed residential address of her children,” said Khosana.

He said on upon further questioning, she said she was from Lesotho but had no recollection of how or when she came to the Free State.

“She had a grocery plastic bag containing clothes and a bag full of rags that cannot be used. On Wednesday, she was wearing a brown checkered jacket, a blue skirt, pair of black half boots and a woolen yellow hat,” added Khosana.

Enquiries were conducted around the Thabong township and people said they only know her as a destitute woman with no known family or relatives around. The only person who was her part-time lover was admitted at one of the hospitals in Bloemfontein.  According to the partner, Marite is from QwaQwa.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia. Early symptoms are often mistakenly thought to be ‘age-related’ concerns, or manifestations of stress. In the early stages, the most common symptom is difficulty in remembering recent events.

When AD is suspected, the diagnosis is usually confirmed with tests that evaluate behaviour and thinking abilities, often followed by a brain scan if available.

As the disease advances, symptoms include confusion, irritability, aggression, mood swings, trouble with language, and long-term memory loss. As the sufferer declines, they often withdraw from family and society.  Gradually, bodily functions are lost, ultimately leading to death.

“Marite came to the Thabong police station on Tuesday morning, where she stayed for three days. We provided her with food and a place to sleep and she was than referred to Welkom Social Development for further assistance.

“We are appealing to anyone who knows the relatives and families of Marite to avail that information or alternatively her relatives or next of kin may please come for her.  They can contact Thabong SAPS at 057-910-2396/7 or 082-453-0777.