Best Practice in Zambia
Spark of Life Model of Care,
Giving Hope and Saving Lives in Zambia
Anderson Simfukwe, Founder Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders in Zambia (ADDIZ)
14th February, 2024
Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias In Zambia | ADDIZ is a registered not-for-profit organization operating in Zambia with the mandate to look into the plight and welfare of older people living with dementia. The organization is a one stop shop for all the needs of older people living with the condition with the Spark of Life Model of Care as its premium service offered at the Centre. The model, developed by Dementia Care International is currently the only one that is giving hope to people living with dementia and other crosscutting issues in Zambia. We conduct sensitization and awareness through our Spark of Life Outreach programs.
Using the Spark of Life Model of Care, we offer the following services to the public:
- Dementia Friends Sessions
- Spark of Life Rehabilitative Program
- Spark of Life Outreach Programs
The organization is currently lobbying the government to promulgate laws, policies, plans and strategies on dementia. We are in serious talks with the government on the formulation and implementation of a National Dementia Plan that will effectively address the needs of people living with dementia and their care partners in both formal and informal caregiver roles. As at present there is no policy direction for people living with dementia. It is our clarion call to the government to expedite the process of enactment of various legislations on ageing and dementia in Zambia. Oftentimes people visit our Centre to access the above services and the model has proved beyond reasonable doubt as an astounding and impeccable care solution. ADDIZ is currently discussing with relevant authorities to adopt the Spark of Life Model of Care in various jurisdictions of government.
The Model of Care includes a practical philosophy to enrich human relationships and the culture of care that is originated and imbedded in the field of dementia care. It offers a systematic, practical approach to igniting the human spirit, awakening dormant abilities and healing relationships.
The Spark of Life Model of Care provides education to enable neuro- rehabilitation and rementia. Rementia describes the recovery of lost abilities when the social and emotional environment becomes more supportive and understanding.
With the above background, Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias In Zambia | ADDIZ is currently employing the Spark of Life Model of Care as it the only model that is sustainable, cost effective, therapeutical, humanistic and culturally responsive to the needs of society here in Zambia.
Zambia gladly embraces the model as it is sustainable and cost effective. The philosophical ingredients of the Spark of Life align well with our jurisdiction and cultural background that enhance caring for our loved ones through focused attention of unconditional love within our families. The model transcends disease, disability, difficult behaviors and differences, to connect with the other person with compassion. ADDIZ has rolled out the model to the communities and many family members of our clients have confessed the effectiveness of this therapeutical approach and its transformative efficacy. ADDIZ highly recommends the Spark of Life Model of Care as a one stop border post where people from different nationalities, backgrounds and diversities can cross to therapeutical healing and safety. This philosophy transcends a spectrum of diversity and works for all.
With the Spark of Life Rehabilitative Program which is therapeutical, interactive program that focuses on boosting self-esteem, lifting the human spirit and awakening dormant abilities, ADDIZ has witnessed improved social and emotional wellbeing of club members, dormant abilities have been awaken and encouraged spontaneous creative expression. This program has been extended to schools, prison and hospitals as being a member of the club implies membership, belonging, familiarity and safety. In addition, the program has a positive impact to counter-balance the negative experiences that include, incarceration, emotional, stress, professional burnouts and dementia. ADDIZ team members have also been treated to the Spark of Life Rehabilitative Program experience and are well vested with the philosophy, thereby enhancing of quality delivery of our services.
Spark of Life Community Education and Awareness raising for Global Spark of Life Month 2022:
The Spark of Life Rehabilitative Program members (who have dementia) have attested that the program has a healing impact on their lives especially when facilitators possess human qualities like empathy, energy that is positive and enabling attitude.
Through the Spark of Life Rehabilitative Program, we have reached out to a number of external organisations and this has enhanced a wider dissemination of dementia awareness in the communities, hospital, schools and public institutions. Dementia is now in the health space and public domain. There is improved and positive attitude towards formal and informal family care partners and people living with dementia as ADDIZ intensifies the Model of Care outreach.
The model has elevated the wellbeing of our entire target group visiting our Centre and those in our support groups. There is positive attestation from our clients, patients, staff and families, who believe that the model is a true testament of therapeutical healing. There has been a beneficial impact in our district hospital, schools, and prisons as well as at the Centre through the smiles we are putting on the faces of our clients. There is an increase in the number of people visiting our Centre for case management using the Spark of Life Philosophy. ADDIZ highly recommends the model and there has been a drop in the number of older people accused of practicing witchcraft and subsequent brutal murders as a result of wider sensitization ad awareness in the country, a trend we consider as a hallmark of family unification and coexistence in the communities.
Recommendations
The following overarching principles and approaches are integral to global efforts to call for action to governments, and policy makers:
- empowering people living with dementia and their caregivers and families, and overcoming stigma and discrimination is essential, and the Spark of Life Philosophy provides an effective key to such awareness in Africa;
- fostering collaboration between all stakeholders to improve prevention, care and rehabilitation: an effective solution is to stimulate further implementation in the Spark of Life Model of Care
- incorporating dementia prevention, care and rehabilitation into policies related to ageing, dementia and mental health; including therapeutically researched and field-tested Spark of Life Model of Care
References
- Companion Manual for the Spark of Life Master Practitioner Course
- First WHO Ministerial Conference on Global Action Against Dementia, 16-17 Match, 2015, Geneva, Switzerland, Meeting Report
- Anderson Simfukwe, Founder & CEO, Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias In Zambia | ADDIZ
