Lagos: A Consultant Family Physician, Dr. Matthias Kwenin, has highlighted the importance of family support, love, and care in the effective management of dementia. Kwenin, who also serves as the Medical Director of Right Results Diagnostic Centre, emphasized this during an interview in Lagos.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Dr. Kwenin underscored the pivotal role families play as the initial point of contact, ensuring consistent support, communication, respect, love, and understanding for those living with dementia. He stressed that professional caregivers should also exhibit deep compassion, mutual love, and dedication when working with dementia patients.
Dr. Kwenin advocated for families to create a peaceful and loving environment to mitigate the negative impact of dementia on relationships and home life. He described the family as the cornerstone of society, asserting that love, support, and care are crucial in the prevention and management of dementia in Nigeria.
He further explained that dementia inflicts both emotional and physical harm on patients, often disrupting the harmony and stability within families. “To enhance dementia care, families must adopt practices rooted in love, compassion, and understanding, fostering a positive environment for those affected,” he stated. He encouraged families and caregivers to protect, inspire, and nurture dementia patients, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing supportive care.
In addition, Inclusion Advocate Ms. Busola Shogbamimu called for increased public awareness and education for families, caregivers, law enforcement, and the broader society on dementia care. Shogbamimu, who is the Executive Director of MASC Care Home, expressed concern that many families are not fulfilling their essential roles in supporting dementia patients.
She pointed out that cultural beliefs remain a significant obstacle, with many people attributing dementia to witchcraft, spiritual attacks, or incantations. Shogbamimu described dementia as a brain disorder that affects a person’s behavior, social interactions, and relationships.
“Dementia is a progressive disease that worsens over time. There’s no cure, but early intervention can slow its progression,” she explained. She emphasized the need for education across families, law enforcement, and both public and private sectors to enhance dementia care nationwide. “Beating elderly people or calling them witches due to dementia symptoms is wrong and harmful. Unusual behavior, confusion, or talking to oneself among the elderly may be signs they need care, not condemnation,” she added.