15/09/2026
HELPING PATIENTS WITH DEMENTIA*
Mama WaZoBia came in for her routine blood pressure check.
As usual, she had a story to share.
_"Doctor, it’s about my aunt. She’s 85 years old. She went missing for 5 days. We found her sitting under a tree in a primary school field."_
When they brought her home, her aunt stopped talking. She just stared at everyone.
The villagers said: _"Someone must have poisoned her."_others said she must be a witch.
But Mama WaZoBia remembered: For past years, her aunt had been very forgetful, the forgetfulness had been getting worse. She no longer recognized people, not even family members.
She even had to close her small stall where she traded foodstuffs and petty households.
_"Doctor, people were taking advantage of her. One young man once bought goods worth ₦700, gave her ₦1000, and asked for change. She opened her purse and gave him plenty money! ₦6,550 as change!"_ 😮
Some people corrected her and only took what was due them. Others took advantage and made money off her. The business didn't survive.
The worst part:
_"Because she has become aggressive, they chained her inside the house. She hasn’t eaten in 2 days because no one wants to go near her."_
*My heart broke! 🥺
After listening, I immediately suspected *possible Dementia*.
My team and I visited her community with Mama WazoBia leading us. We did 3 things:
1.*Provided Education* - for the family and community members who gathered
2. *Advocacy* We insisted that she be released from the chains. It is undignifying. Please bathe her. Please feed her, we added
3. **We also provided Care tips* - Music therapy, social engagements, and care focused on dignity
Today, she is much more stable. She is eating and she is smiling. She contributes sparingly to discussions and appreciates love.
As we were leaving, Mama WaZoBia turned to me:
_"Doctor... I think I also have VITETIA. I forget things sometimes."_
Me: _"Mama, it’s not VITETIA. It’s Dementia! But forgetting things sometimes doesn’t mean you have dementia. When you come to clinic next time, we’ll talk about it properly."_
*Stay tuned.*
In the next episodes: What is Dementia? What is it NOT?
How to identify early signs. Your role at home and in your community. Known prevention strategies and how to manage it.
_Dementia is not witchcraft, it is not poison, charm and jinx. It is not just old age. It is a medical condition that needs care, love and support.
Whatch out!
