REPORT OF ACTIVITY: HEALTHY AGEING ADVOCACY AND OUTREACH RCCG LP6 SENIOR PASTORS AND THEIR WIVES RETREAT

Executive Summary

The Gabi Williams Alzheimer’s Foundation – GWAF is stopping at nothing to actualize its goals and objectives. We have expanded our mission to include a Healthy Ageing & Advocacy Outreach component. The RCCG LP6 Senior Pastors and their wives retreat event is the 3rd of such outreaches after the inaugural edition in 2022.

It was another success story. GWAF reached over 100 men and women. It was held on the 28th October, 2023 at International Conference Centre, Holiness Road, Opposite Open Heaven House, Redemption Camp, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

At the invitation of the organizer, RCCG LP6, GWAF was asked to conduct sensitization and awareness activities on Dementia and the general health of the executive as well as to carry out screenings for lifestyle risk factors for poor Brain Health in partnership with physicians and nurses that provide individuals with critical information about the status of their health.

Though Alzheimer's Disease (a type of Dementia), is not limited to elders, it afflicts the ageing in disproportionate numbers. As we join the fight to prevent, manage and ultimately, treat it, an emphasis on this demographic is justified. A healthy brain is linked to several risk factors such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia, smoking and periodontal disease. The identification and treatment of these disorders are important in the fight against Alzheimer's in those who seek to keep the disease at bay. The overall health of persons living with Alzheimer's impacts on the delivery of care and on the management of the disease. The GWAF Healthy Ageing Advocacy & Outreach helps advance ourfirst constitutional objective which is to create awareness about Alzheimer's Disease (a type of Dementia), in all its facets, from every key perspective.

Partners:

• Lagos State College of Nursing and Midwifery (LASCON)
• RCCG LP6
• Gabi Williams Alzheimer’s Foundation
• Redeemed Christian Church of God LP6 Physicians

Activities

Screening
Health Talks and Q&A

Screening

Screenings for lifestyle-related risk factors of Brain Health were conducted in a systematic and orderly way by volunteer students of LASCON under the supervision of 2 LASCON officers. About 100 people were reached through the program.

189 people (overwhelmingly male) were successfully screened at the event. As an added component, about 40 people benefited from free dental screening carried out by Faces 'n' Braces Dental Clinic.

Health Talk and Q&A

The sessions which cut across common issues around the health of people at the executive level were well handled by our experienced resource persons.
The topics were:
Healthy Ageing by Dr. Toyin Salawu
Prostate Cancer: Myth and Facts by Dr. Emmanuel Animashaun
The Seniors and Oral Hygiene by Dr. Malina Uwagbai
Prostate Cancer: Myth and Facts by Dr. Emmanuel Animashaun

Each session, which lasted for about 30 minutes, took place at intervals during the program of the day. The audience was fully engaged. Each discussion segment was followed by an animated Q&A coordinated by Ms. Olatoun Gabi Williams, GWAF trustee.
The report of screenings was handed over to the organizers who were encouraged to follow up on people that had been identified as requiring interventions.

Areas of challenge

The activity was well arranged and free of challenge.

Conclusion

The exercise was well conducted and successful.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EVENT