11/04/2025
My father started showing early signs of dementia when I was a teenager. It took close to 10 years between when we noticed early symptoms and when we got a diagnosis. By the time we got the early-onset Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis, I was a young adult in university. My father couldn’t write anymore; he couldn’t communicate his wishes and needs as well as before. Due to a lack of understanding of dementia, we sometimes thought dad didn’t care.
Before dementia, he was selfless, hardworking and funny. He was proactive about the needs of everyone he cared about and came into contact with. He was independent and a great decision-maker. He was a teacher, and dementia affected his work, and he would give multiple assignments and teach a topic multiple times.
At the moment, dad is in the late stages of dementia. He is not able to communicate verbally, and he needs help with all his daily needs. It’s more difficult for my mum, the primary caregiver, and we give her all the support we can.
I speak up because I understand that young people have parents, grandparents, and family members living with dementia. It’s not an easy journey to watch your loved one needing more help with tasks that are simple to us, and they always had all the answers. I would encourage people to reach out on behalf of people affected by dementia. You can't make the journey with dementia alone.
I joined Alzheimer’s and Dementia Organisation Kenya as a secondary caregiver and then as a volunteer. This journey has given me a purpose to improve the field of dementia. As a psychologist, I have developed a passion for dementia research and creating programmes that support dementia care and awareness.
Wambui
